|
Home
News
Training
Programs
Links
Employment
|
|
Restorative
Community Service
Community
Service has long been seen as an appropriate way for offenders to “make
amends” for minor crimes. Historically, an obstacle that has prevented
community service from being as beneficial as it could be has been the
mind set with which many offenders approach such service. Young offenders
often view community service solely as a punishment handed down to them by
a judge or probation officer, as something to be tolerated, suffered
through and completed with as little effort as possible. In these
instances, the youth rarely makes any connection between the harm they
have caused and the service they are rendering. Offenders often see
themselves as victims of an unfair system, being made to complete
meaningless tasks. In such a context, neither the offenders, the victims,
nor the community are receiving anything of value.
At CJI we have a different
perspective on the purpose and value of community service. We believe the
potential benefits can only fully be realized when the service is done
from a Restorative Justice perspective.Restorative Justice is focussed on
meaningful outcomes for offenders, victims and the community. A
restorative response to crime focuses on what needs to be repaired, what
needs to be healed, and what needs to be learned.
Restorative
Community Service is about:
Accountability: It allows young offenders to see the service as a
personal obligation to make amends for the harm done, not as a punishment.
Integration: It creates and maintains a positive working relationship
with other community members while carrying out service that is meaningful
and valued by victims and/or the community.
Transformation: It helps young offenders to see themselves as
valuable, contributing members of the community. It helps the community
see young offenders as individuals who are capable of making a positive
contribution, and it helps citizens see themselves as capable of helping
to create a safe community.
How do Victims Benefit?
Restorative Community Service focuses on the accountability of youth
who offend and on changing their future behaviour and thinking. These
objectives are viewed by many victims as the two most important goals for
our justice system. They want offenders to learn from the offense and to
never again victimize other people. In addition, victims of crime have
voiced a desire to see offenders become better people—people who will
contribute in positive ways to the community.
How
does it work?
-
Young
people who have caused harm meet with program staff and are prepared
for community service through a discussion that helps them understand
community service as both a personal obligation and an opportunity to
make amends for the harm done.
-
Program
staff work with the youth, with input from the victim where
appropriate, to determine the type of community service placement that
would be most appropriate and meaningful. Staff then facilitate and
monitor the placement and the completion of the assigned community
service hours.
-
Community
organizations help by providing opportunities for meaningful
accountability, integration and trans-formation. In particular, these
are projects that enable youth to work in partnership with community
members. The personal contacts and relationships that emerge from
these partnerships are crucial to making community service truly
restorative.
How
can you help?
-
Provide
a project, large or small, where a young person who has offended may
work along side other community members to accomplish a meaningful
task.
-
Work
alongside the youth, not as a supervisor or boss but as a community
co-worker. Engage them in conversation, work with them, encourage and
commend good work.
-
Give
of yourself. You are the greatest asset the community has to address
crime in an effective and meaningful way. Allowing youth who offend to
be accountable by having them contribute service of value draws them
into the fabric of the community. This in itself is one of the most
effective long-term crime prevention responses. No one can do that job
better than you, a member of the community.
Restorative
Community Service is funded by the Ministry for Children and Families in
partnership with Family and
Youth Services Society (Langley) and Pacific
Community Resources (Surrey).
|
Fraser Region