The future of Innisfail Restorative Justice Society funding is secure for at least three years after being awarded $20,000 per year in funding from the provincial justice and solicitor general's office.
J.J. Beauchamp, the vice chair and program coordinator for the local society, confirmed the three-year funding grant this week and was excited about the multi-year deal.
“In previous years, we have had to reapply every year for funding,” said Beauchamp. “Now, we have two years where we can focus on providing community led restorations. It gives us stable funding.”
Beauchamp noted that restorative justice is a system in which the offenders go to a forum with the victims and members of the community to learn the impact of their crimes and to establish a community-based solution. He further added program completion often means avoiding a criminal record for the offenders.
“We often receive direct referrals from the solicitor general and the Innisfail RCMP,” said Beauchamp. “Where it may take months for offenders to see a solution in the overloaded court system, we can have a solution in place in two weeks from receiving the file to determining the consequence.”
He noted the society received 37 files from the RCMP and close to that number from Alberta Justice and Solicitor General ministry last year.
“From our experience to date, we have found that using a restorative justice model gives the offender a chance to redeem themselves without a criminal record,” added Beauchamp. “If the offender is young, a record can hamper their future forever.”
The local group, in existence since 1996, also serves the communities of Bowden, Spruce View, and Didsbury upon request for training and intervention.
“Jonathan Denis, the solicitor general, believes wholeheartedly in the program,” said Beauchamp. “Supporting our local group is evidence of that and we are grateful.”
He noted the funds will be used for training and program costs. To get more information about the training or the Innisfail Restorative Justice Society in general, contact Beauchamp at 403-227-4156 or by email at [email protected].
