The province has announced that it will be nearly doubling the amount of money available to organizations that provide support to victims of crime while seeking ways to address the causes of those crimes.
In all, $700,000 will be provided next year through the Alberta Community Restorative Justice Grant program, an increase of $340,000.
Whether the new money will lead to safer communities over the long run remains to be seen. What is known is that past experience has often shown that public money spent to support victims is money well spent.
Funds provided under the grant program go to organizations that “practice, promote or develop initiatives that focus on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community.”
For her part, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kathleen Granley says supporting victims helps the community at large.
“Restorative justice programs hold offenders accountable for their actions, while allowing victims and communities to feel they have a voice in the process,” said Ganley “More grants for these programs mean that more victims can choose this option if they feel it is the right fit for them.”
Organizations eligible for the restorative justice grant program funding include incorporated non-profit and volunteer organizations; incorporated community-based coalitions and networks; Aboriginal communities, including bands and tribal councils; and provincially-sanctioned youth justice committees.
Groups are eligible to apply for up to $50,000 per initiative.
“Restorative justice programs seek to hold offenders responsible for their actions, while addressing the causes of crime and its effects upon victims and the community,” she said.
“The programs are an alternative or supplement to any sentence, and can be initiated by agreement from the victim and offender at any time during the criminal justice process.”
Ensuring adequate support for victims of crime while at the same time trying to set offenders on the path to lawful lives is in everyone’s best interest.
Hopefully all parties in the upcoming provincial election will embrace the notion that helping victims while also reforming criminals is good for Alberta.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor.
