Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice considers the unique context and impacts of a crime, redressing harm and seeding responsibility for stable communities.

Through the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program, individuals and communities harmed by crime consider the contexts, causes, circumstances, and impacts of an incident—including those responsible for that harm. With this approach, we address the issues and needs of all involved to develop plans and accountability for the future.

Generally, a restorative process will involve one or more sessions that bring together all connected to the case:

  • People who have been harmed or affected

  • People who hold responsibility for those harms

  • People who can offer information or support the process

If you’re a community member, family member, or victim who would like to advocate for restorative justice in a particular case, contact us for a referral. 

Restorative justice ensures affected individuals and communities have a voice and role in the process, for more meaningful and effective outcomes. Those who participate in restorative justice are less likely to repeat their actions.

Starting as a pilot for youth in 1999, the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program was established for youth across the province in 2001 and was expanded to adults in 2016.

With strong support from the justice system, the program is rooted in the community and delivered by Regional Restorative Justice Teams with expertise from eight community-based restorative justice agencies and Community Corrections staff. When a Restorative Justice Regional Team accepts a referral, team members will contact all of the parties involved to understand the issues, needs and impacts related to the incident. 

The plans, actions and outcomes of a restorative process vary depending on the situation, circumstances, issues and needs involved in each case. The agreements and expectations that are part of the plan are recorded and shared with the parties and as required with justice stakeholders. The Restorative Justice Regional Team provides follow-up support and supervision as required to ensure plans are successfully completed.