Jordan Armstrong: Surrey program keeps repeat-offender rates low

It’s justice, Surrey style.  (Surrey is a suburb of Vancouver, BC, Canada.)

Surrey’s restorative justice program brings select offenders, victims, the community and police together to discuss a resolution to a crime.
The program’s been in place since 2008 and a review conducted earlier this year found that it’s working.

“Ninety-four per cent of the participants in the program complete it, with a further indicator of low repeat offender rates – that is, that they’re less likely to be charged as compared to others that have not participated in the program.”

RCMP Insp. Bob Couture adds the program also saves money, as it keeps offenders out of our busy court system.