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Justice should include better healing strategies

Restorative justice is a healing way to work with people who run afoul of the law

Re: Canadian justice in lawyers’ hands (Letters, April 27)

In my opinion, the Canadian justice system is an oxymoron. It really does not do justice to victim, offender or community. Jails are very expensive housing and training. Put a minor offender in jail for months or years till a court date is set and imagine what they can learn from their cellmates? The circle continues, perhaps back to the street or on to more violent facilities?

One’s ability to hire a lawyer is crucial. Lamb asks, “Does not a surgeon remove dangerous tissue to save the patient?”

A better solution might be to heal people so they don’t get sent to jails or hospitals. Restorative Justice is a way of making retribution in community through mediation with the offender and the victim. Victims are usually not given any support for healing and often end up falling apart themselves, winding up at the mercy of some ‘system.’

The problem with healing or wellness solutions is that they are not corporate sanctioned models.

On another note, the planned addiction outpatient clinic (News, April 27) is an example of helping people to heal and move forward in a positive way.

Joanna Wilkinson

Victoria