Reconciliation in Nova Scotia: Where does it stand? Where can it go?
LE3 .A278 2007
2007
Thomson, Tony
Acadia University
Bachelor of Arts
Honours
Sociology
The criminal justice system is under constant criticism. In a distaste for the adversarial model of justice, restorative justice was revitalized as an alternative approach to the court system. Restorative justice is a theory that is based on the belief that, when a crime is committed, harm is done that needs to be restored. This can occur through the active participation of the victim and the offender in a discussion of the impact of the crime on the parties as well as of how reconciliation can be obtained. This model of justice views the victim as not only the immediate victim, but the community as well; therefore, active participation of both is important. The Nova Scotia Restorative Justice (NSRJ) Program is an innovative initiative that has been integrated within their criminal justice system since 1999. The program remains in its first phase of accepting only youth referrals. This thesis examines the NSRJ Program by comparing it to other jurisdictions, including New Zealand and Ontario. This comparison examines particularly the areas Nova Scotia has yet to develop: an adult restorative justice program and the inclusion of sexual assault and partner/spousal violence offences into the program. This study concludes that an expansion into an adult restorative justice program is feasible, through a structured progression. Lifting the moratorium on sexual assault and partner/spousal violence cases is not appropriate for Nova Scotia at the current stage.
The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.
https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:517
