Interim Direction Regarding Victim Offender Mediation

The following guidelines have been developed to ensure that victim offender mediation processes are offered in a manner consistent with other related policy (Commissioner's Directives 784, 095, and 782). These guidelines are effective immediately and have been developed as interim process as the Service reviews and considers its strategic options with respect to these restorative opportunities for victims and offenders.

These protocols are intended to support local staff by clarifying their responsibilities when receiving a request for any form of contact between victims and offenders.

As such, all requests (from a victim, an offender, their families or agents) for mediation or other forms of victim/offender contact should be brought immediately to the attention of the local Coordinator of Case Management, Senior Parole Officer or Area Manager responsible for victim liaison activities. This person will refer the case to Restorative Justice Unit at National Headquarters. Any safety concerns identified by CSC staff that might preclude participation in such a process should be forwarded to the VLC along with referral.

Upon receipt of a referral, staff from the Restorative Justice Unit will:

• provide additional information about victim offender mediation and related services to the person who has identified an interest;
• conduct a preliminary assessment re: suitability, in consultation with the requesting person and relevant CSC staff members;
• refer the case to an experienced community based mediator if appropriate; and
• maintain the file documentation regarding the mediation.

In order to protect privacy and ensure that there is no unwanted communication, staff members and volunteers should not communicate information about a mediation request directly or indirectly to either a victim or offender unless otherwise directed by the staff of the Restorative Justice Unit.

If the case is referred to a community-based mediator, the Restorative Justice Unit will make arrangements with appropriate local staff to ensure that the mediator can conduct a thorough assessment, prepare the parties, facilitate interaction and follow-up accordingly.

For staff in the Pacific Region, the process is somewhat different due to the well-established relationship with the long-standing service provider in that area. In this situation all referrals may continue to be made directly to the Victim Offender Mediation of Serious Crime program operated by the Community Justice Initiatives Association of the Fraser Region (CJI). Consents for disclosure of personal information from the victim or from the offender should be provided directly to the Community Justice Initiatives Association of the Fraser Region (CJI). The local and/or regional victim liaison coordinators and parole officer will be contacted regarding the next steps by that agency.

For further background information, attached please find a Brief Overview of Victim Offender Mediation that provides staff with additional general information about these services.

Should you have any questions or concerns, or to direct a referral to the Restorative Justice Branch, please contact Scott Harris, Director, Restorative Justice Branch at (613) 947-4980 for further information.