Dalhousie students get restorative justice option
Posted Sep 12, 2012 01:37:54 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Dalhousie University students who break the law will get a chance to avoid jail time under a first-of-its-kind justice program announced Wednesday.
The Restorative Justice partnership between the Justice Department, Halifax Regional Police and Dalhousie will give students accused of less serious crimes a chance to work with the victims instead of facing fines or jail time.
Deputy Police Chief Bill Moore says if the offender is willing to take responsibility, and the victims and prosecutor are on board, they’ll make the reparations personal.
“It’s about the offense, it’s about the offender, it’s about the victim, and then looking to make the right combination for that particular piece,” said Moore. “That’s where the creative part will come in with the Restorative Justice Coordinator.”
Dalhousie President Tom Traves says he thinks this will address long-time concerns of people who live in the South End.
“An environment where young people are often away from home and the influence of their parents and family, are perhaps inclined to behaviours which would not be normal in their past and we hope would not be normal in the future,” said Traves.
Dal says it’s the first Canadian university to do something like this. The two-year pilot program got its first referrals this month during the annual back-to-school liquor enforcement sweep in the South End.
