Community Accountability Programs Information ... - Ministry of Justice

Fort St. John Community Justice ProgramContact InformationChris Drummond, Program Manager10648 - 100 th StreetFort St. John, BCV1J 1R8Phone: (250) 787-8109Fax: (250) 787-8133E-mail: drummond@solarwinds.comProgram InformationStructure of program: Non-profit program under the umbrella of the Northern PeaceSociety.Target Group:First-time offenders of any age.Goals and Objectives: To create conditions for an offender to fix their mistakes forthemselves, repair the harm they have done, and return to thecommunity strengthened. To provide the victim(s) with supportneeded to give a voice to their hurts and needs. To facilitate anddraw out each forum participant’s human capacity to forgive andbe forgiven and to heal and be healed in order that relationshipscan be healed and transformed.Program Model:Victim-Offender MediationReferral Source(s): RCMP, schools, private citizens.Referral Types:Theft under, B&E, assault, threats, fraud, mischief, possession,arson, etc.Support/ Funding: Gaming Commission, bingo, raffles; donations; grantsStaffing Structure: One paid Program ManagerVolunteers Involved: 10, facilitatorsYears in Operation: 6Partners Involved: RCMP, Northern Peace Community Resources, Northern PeaceAddictions Services, Salvation Army, SPCA, MCFD, City, FirstNations Friendship Centre.Training:Indicators of Success:Challenges/ Obstacles:RCMP facilitation training.Decreasing rate of non-compliance; low recidivism; positivefeedback from families and victims.Finding qualified trainer to train facilitators; high drop-out rate offacilitators; selling program to RCMP; lack of time for PR; lack ofsupport for offenders; lack of community service hoursplacements; community perceptions of “justice”; increasingdemands, and lack of funding.Comment: I would like to see a central support and information centre for Alternative MeasuresPrograms where we can call in to get information and support. We are an isolated community inthe province and it would be nice to connect with other programs so we can encourage andsupport one another.