Corrections and Restorative Justice

Contents

Current Program Priorities (2024-27)

The churches are called to challenge the punitive approach to justice that is currently prevalent in Canada. Restorative justice is an alternative approach founded on values of healing, reconciliation, accountability, and communication. In this approach, crime is understood as a violation of people and relationships. Justice is served when the offenders are given opportunities to take responsibility for the harm they caused, and the victims are given opportunities to talk about their experience and what they need to heal. Our goal is to help people in our churches, and in the broader society, to understand fully what restorative justice is, to advocate for incorporation of restorative approaches within the current criminal justice system, and to create better supports and safer communities. We intend to provide educational opportunities, produce ecumenical resources, and participate in restorative justice networks.

As the Body of Christ, the Church is called to welcome and care for all its members and to support their healing and flourishing. However, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals often face stigmatization, fear, and scapegoating violence, which prevents their reintegration into faith communities and into the broader society. Churches also often fail to provide sufficient healing and restorative resources for victims of crime in their communities. Our goal is to provide educational and ecumenical resources that would help local churches create conditions for welcoming formerly incarcerated individuals back into their communities as full and equal members. We also intend to carry forward the ‘Empathy Project’ of The Church Council on Justice and Corrections, and to partner with other faith-based and community organizations around this priority.

Recommended Resources

Visit the archival website of The Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC) to explore a wealth of resources on restorative justice, corrections, and many other related topics!

About the Corrections and Restorative Justice Working Group

The Corrections and Restorative Justice Working Group (CRJWG) of the Commission on Justice and Peace (CJP) promotes education on corrections and restorative justice and sponsors initiatives to build healthier and safer communities through theological reflection, research, projects, workshops, and ecumenical and public engagement.

The CRJWG carries forward the mission and vision of The Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC), a national faith-based coalition of 11 founding churches incorporated in 1972. The CCJC has an illustrious history of Canadian public engagement on capital punishment, domestic violence, restorative justice, corrections, and many other related issues. In 2024, the CCJC merged with The Canadian Council of Churches as the Corrections and Restorative Justice Working Group of the CJP.

Current Members (2024-27)

  • Jasmine Cherian – Mar Thoma Church
  • Pamela Dillon – Anglican Church of Canada (chair)
  • Hugh Kirkegaard – Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms
  • Greg McInnes – The Salvation Army
  • Lori Pilatzke – Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
  • Karen Reid – Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Richard René – Orthodox Church in America, Archdiocese of Canada
  • Sandra Wiens – Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Ex officio:

  • Colin Justin Grimmond – CJP liaison
  • Ryan Weston – CJP liaison
  • Maria Simakova – CRJWG staff
  • Karen Puddicombe – Associate Secretary, CJP
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