John Howard Society of Greater Moncton, Inc.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Adult Alternative Measures Committee Member
Sheri Beers
Program Coordinator
P.O. Box: 891
141 Weldon Street 2nd Floor
Moncton N.B.
E1C 8N8
sbeers@nb.aibn.com
www.jhsmoncton.nb.ca
Description
What is the Alternative Measures Program?
It is a pre-court referral program based on a police assessment that provides for ‘alternatives’ to court proceedings. The program offers a constructive way to deal with non-violent, low-risk offenders who accept responsibility for their crimes. Serious and violent crimes, including domestic violence, are not eligible for Alternative Measures.

The process involves victim, offender and the community in a search for solutions that promote reparation and reconciliation. Conditions of the program provide the opportunity for offenders to acknowledge what they have done, to work at making amends and, by doing so, to avoid having a criminal record.

The process searches for positive outcomes, which help to restore community harmony and the personal safety of citizens and their property.

What experience does N.B. have with Alternative Measures?
New Brunswick began an Alternative Measures Program for young persons over 15 years ago. In 1998/99, an impressive 95 per cent of eligible youth completed the required conditions of the program. Based on its success, the province irritated a similar program for adult offenders in 1998.

Why an Alternative Measures Program?
The Alternative Measures Program is founded on the principle of Restorative Justice. The underlying belief is that it is more beneficial for victims, communities and offenders, if all are involved in addressing the offending behavior and identifying ways to repair the harm that has been done.

For victims it means an opportunity to tell offenders about the impact of crime and to make suggestions about what should be done to make things right.

For communities, it means improvement to deal with problems in a way that complements community-based policing and correctional service initiatives.

For offenders, by accepting responsibility for their actions, it means greater understanding and increased awareness of the harm done.

When are offenders referred to the Alternative Measures Program?
The program only applies to certain designated offenses and in certain situations. In determining eligibility for the program, police, as part of the investigation of a crime, will look at such factors as the:
· Type of abuse
· Seriousness of the offense
· Feelings of the victim
· Attitude of the offender about the offense and the victim
· The offender's previous involvement, if any, with the criminal justice system.

Alternative Measures will be considered for those who:
· Meet all the criteria regarding risk
· Accept responsibility for an offense
· Freely agree to take part in the program, and
· Are usually first-time offenders.

Although incarceration is necessary for some offenders, many:
· Do not require custodial intervention
· Are capable of making personal change and are contributing members of the community
· Have a need to belong, or
· Will benefit from positive connections in the community where they have done harm.

What role do victims play in the referral?
The interests, needs and feeling of victims are carefully considered in making the decision to proceed with Alternative Measures. If the accused has agreed to take part in the Alternative Measures Program, the victim is contacted and encouraged to participate in the process. The process provides an opportunity to tell offenders about the effects of the wrongdoing while encouraging meaningful dialogue and awareness. However, if the victim does not agree or declines to participate, the decision to proceed with Alternative Measures may still be warranted.

How does the Alternative Measures Program work?
The frontline police role is critical. Police investigate charges and assess cases that could be considered for the Alternative Measures Program. The Department of Public Safety operates the program with an Alternative Measures Coordinator who manages case referrals.

The coordinator arranges for an Alternative Measures Committee to meet with an offender. The committee, composed of community representatives, police
and corrections? officials, meets with the offender and the victim, if the victim wishes to take part.

At the meeting, the committee discusses the case and determines appropriate measures. These could include, for example:
· Participating in mediation with the victim(s)
· Attending special information and education sessions
· Paying restitution to the victim
· Providing personal service work for the victim
· Obtaining treatment or counseling
· Or, completing a period of community service.
The offender and the committee chairperson then sign a contract outliningthe terms and conditions.

Restitution, community service and other outcomes may become part of a binding agreement which, when successfully completed, will satisfy the offender?s responsibility in regard to their offence and the community. If an offender breaks the conditions of the agreement, the case proceeds through the regular court system. For the offender who successfully completes the agreement, there will be no conviction or subsequent criminal record.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1. To attend orientation and training sessions organized for the volunteers.
2. To represent the community and be actively involved in the criminal justice process.
3. To assist with establishing an agreement with the offender for the alternative measure.
4. To assist the coordinator in the development of community placements
5. To participate in team meetings as required.
6. Listening to both the accused and the victim and determining the best restorative/accountability measure for the individual case, taking into consideration what has been said by the accused, the victim and the committee.
7. To maintain confidentiality.
8. Act as a facilitator between the victim and the accused to promote healing, and making amends between each other and with the community.
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Qualifications:
· Patience and reliability.
· Provide police record check.
· Good employment and/educational history.
· Good problem-solving and communication skills.
Beliefs in restorative justice qualities such as the importance of healing for the victim and the accused, the committee?s part in the justice process, and wanting to promote a more restorative approach to crimes within thecommunity.
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Continuing: Yes
Weekly time commitment: 3 hours per month (Thursday mornings)
Day/Time: Thursday 9am to 12pm
Time arranged with volunteer: No
Training:
Orientation on Alternative Measures, Restorative Justice practices and volunteering in community corrections is provided.

Société John Howard du Grand Moncton inc.
COORDONNÉES :
Sheri Beers
Coordonatrice du programme
C.P. 891
141, rue Weldon 2e Étage
Moncton N.-B.
E1C 8N8
sbeers@nb.aibn.com
www.jhsmoncton.nb.ca
Programme de mesures de rechange est basé sur une approche de justice réparatrice
En quoi consiste le Programme de mesures de rechange?
Un programme communautaire qui propose des "solutions de rechange".

Ce programme offres des moyens constructifs de s'occuper des contrevenants non violents qui présentent peu de risques et qui se reconnaissent responsables de leurs crimes.

La victime, le contrevenant et la communauté participent a un reunion, pour trouver des solutions pour réparer la domage causé et à réconcilier les parties. Cette processus donne au contrevenant l'occasion d'admettre ses actes, de s'efforcer de faire amende honorable et, d'éviter aller en court et de recevoir un dossier criminel.

Pour les victimes, cela signifie avoir l'occasion d'exprimer au contrevenant les conséquences de son crime et de lui suggérer des façons de faire amende honorable.

Pour la communauté, cela signifie s'investir du pouvoir de régler leurs propres problèmes parallèlement aux initiatives en matière de police communautaire et de services correctionnels.

Pour les contrevenants, cela signifie prendre conscience du préjudice qu'ils ont causé et assumer la responsabilité de leurs actes.

Ce processus positif aide à rétablir l'harmonie dans la comunauté et à accroître la sécurité personnelle de ses membres ainsi que celle de leurs biens.

Quelle expérience avons-nous des mesures de rechange au N.-B.
Le Nouveau-Brunswick administre le programme depuis 15 ans, destiné aux jeunes. A la suite de ce succès, le gouvernement provincial a decide d'offrir un programme comparable aux contrevenants adultes dès 1998.
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Quand les contrevenants sont-ils orientés vers le Programme de mesures de rechange?
Seuls qui peuvent être admis au programme sont les contrevenants qui ont commis certaines infractions désignées dans certaines circonstances. Lorsqu'ils font enquête au sujet d'un crime et qu'ils déterminent l’admissibilité du contrevenant au Programme de mesures de rechange, les policiers tiennent notamment compte des facteurs suivants:
· le genre d'infraction; (ex: vol a l?étalage, fraude, assault niveau 1, possession du marijuana)
· la gravité de l'infraction (non violent)
· les sentiments de la victime;
· l'attitude du contrevenant à l'égard de l'infraction et de la victime;
· si le contrevenant a un dosier criminel.

Les mesures de rechange peuvent être envisagées si le contrevenant:
· satisfait à tous les critères relatifs au risque;
· admet qu'il est responsable de l'infraction;
· accepte de participer au programme;
· en géneralement à sa première infraction.

Quel est la rôle de la victime dans cette décision?
L'intérêt, les besoins et les sentiments de la victime sont tous pris en considération lorsqu'on décide si on aura recours aux mesures de rechange. Si l'accusé accepte de participer au Programme de mesures de rechange, on communique avec la victime pour l'inviter à prendre part à la processus. Ce processus lui donne la possibilité de faire comprendre au contrevenant les conséquences de son méfait, et il est propice à un dialogue constructif et à une prise de conscience. Mais la décision d'avoir recours aux mesures de rechange peut être justifiable même si la victime refuse d'y participer.

Comment fonctionne le Programme de mesures de rechange?
Le rôle des policiers est crucial. Ce sont eux qui font enquête au sujet des accusations et qui évaluent les dossiers susceptibles de faire l'objet de mesures de rechange. Le Ministère de la Sécurité Publique assure le fonctionnement de ce programme, avec l'aide du coordonnateur des mesures de rechange qui s'occupe de la gestion des dossiers.

Le coordonnateur prend les dispositions nécessaires pour organiser une rencontre entre un comité des mesures de rechange et le contrevenant. Ce comité, qui est composé de représentants de la communauté, rencontre le contrevenant et la victime (si il/elle accepte de participer à la réunion).

Lors de la rencontre, les membres du comité discutent de l'affaire et décident des mesures qui s'imposent.
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Voici certaines décisions qu'ils peuvent prendre:
· participer à la médiation avec la ou les victimes;
· d'assister à des ateliers spéciaux d'information et d'éducation;
· de payer restitution à la victime;
· de fournir des services à la victime;
· de subir un traitement ou du counselling;
· d'effectuer un certain nombre d'heures de travail communautaire.
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Le contrevenant, les membres du comité et le coordonateur, signent ensuite un contrat qui explique les conditions des mesures de rechange.
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Si le contrevenant réussit à honorer ses engagements, aucune condamnation ne figurera à son dossier. Dans un tel cas, le restitution, le travail communautaire et d'autres conditons peuvent faire partie intégrante d'un contrat ayant force obligatoire qui, une fois exécuté avec succès, libérera le contrevenant de sa dette envers la collectivité relativement à l'infraction. Si le contrevenant manque aux conditions du contrat, l'affaire est renvoyée aux tribunaux.
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Duties and Responsibilities:
1. To attend orientation and training sessions organized for the volunteers.
2. To represent the community and be actively involved in the criminal justice process.
3. To assist with establishing an agreement with the offender for the alternative measure.
4. To assist the coordinator in the development of community placements
5. To participate in team meetings as required.
6. Listening to both the accused and the victim and determining the best restorative/accountability measure for the individual case, taking into consideration what has been said by the accused, the victim and the committee.
7. To maintain confidentiality.
8. Act as a facilitator between the victim and the accused to promote healing, and making amends between each other and with the community.

Qualifications:
· Patience and reliability.
· Provide police record check.
· Good employment and/educational history.
· Good problem-solving and communication skills.
Beliefs in restorative justice qualities such as the importance of healing for the victim and the accused, the committee?s part in the justice process, and wanting to promote a more restorative approach to crimes within thecommunity.
-
Continuing: Yes
Weekly time commitment: 3 hours per month (Thursday mornings)
Day/Time: Thursday 9am to 12pm
Time arranged with volunteer: No
Training:
Orientation on Alternative Measures, Restorative Justice practices and volunteering in community corrections is provided.