Restorative opportunities, 20th anniversary message
Anne Kelly, Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada marks the 20th anniversary of the Restorative Opportunities program here at CSC, which provides victim-offender mediation services nationally.
Transcription: A message from the Commissioner
Hello,
I am Anne Kelly, Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Restorative Opportunities program here at CSC, which provides victim-offender mediation services nationally.
I am proud to highlight the impact that this program has had and continues to have on participants.
With the help of mediators, the program uses a restorative justice approach to provide victims of crime with space to:
- be heard,
- get answers,
- address their needs in a way that works for them, and
- find a path forward.
And in turn, when offenders hear about the serious and long-term impacts of their actions directly from those they harmed and can take meaningful accountability, they are less likely to re-offend. They can develop greater understanding and victim empathy. This helps create safer communities.
My thanks to all the community-based mediators who are the very heart of this program. And thank you to those who shared their stories.