How We Help 4 Ways

Institutional Based Programs provided by  John Howard Society of Brandon

• Anger Management Program
• Community Connections program
• IC3 Computer Program (transitional)
• Inmate support & community transition

John Howard Society of Brandon  Community Programs Available
Anger Management Programs (Adult)
Assists participants in developing improved coping skills, better  communication methods and a plan for non-violence.  Group programming is  available at various times throughout the year and individual  programming is available upon request.  Fee for service program.

Anger Management Programs (Youth)
JHS offers group and individual programming for those 12-17 years of age.  Youth are presented with information about anger and learn how to better relate in the community.  Thanks to United Way funding, there is no fee for service for youth programming.
Building Healthy Relationships Program  (Formally Domestic Violence Program
Designed to assist individuals break the cycle of violence in their relationship and to assist in prevention of re-involvement in the criminal justice system.  Fee for service program.

A program which promotes restorative justice within the Westman and Parkland regions.

• We provide education and promotion on Restorative Justice and the Restorative Justice Hub within these regions.
• We provide training and support to 9 justice committees within the  regions and help to develop additional justice committees when requested
• When requested, we provide training and support to other restorative justice agencies
• We provide restorative justice services within the regions 
  • Services include: 
    • Extra-judicial sanctions (EJS)
    • Adult Alternative Measures (AAM)
    • Circles
    • Mediation

    Referrals come from:

• RCMP/Police (pre-charge)
• Schools
• Crown Attorneys (post-charge)
• Defence Lawyers (pre-sentence)
• Judges/probation (post-sentence)

The purpose of restorative justice is to involve the victim,  community and the offender in the process of repairing harm and making  amends.  The victim can choose to what degree they participate in the  process.  They can choose to meet face to face with the accused , have  someone else represent them in person, have the facilitator ask  questions of the accused (and receive the responses), write a victim  impact statement which will be read to the accused, request specific  reparations from the accused, and/or be informed of the outcome of the  process. The victim can also choose not to be part of the process at  all.An appropriate referral is one in which the accused takes  responsibility for their behaviour and is willing to make amends.  The  victim(s) will be contacted to determine to which degree they would like  to participate/be involved.  Where appropriate, referrals will be  assigned to justice committees, other agencies, or the Restorative  Justice Facilitator or Coordinator.A diversion is….A pre-charge or post-charge referral where the Police/RCMP or Crown  Attorney has decided that the offences can be best dealt with outside  the traditional court system.  If the accused completes their assigned  provisions (repairs harm they caused) – their charges will be stayed.   The diversion process may be undertaken through the use of a justice  committee as a EJS or AAM, with a Restorative Justice Facilitator or  Coordinator as an EJS, AAM, circle or mediation.

Mediation is . . . .

• a form of alternative dispute resolution
• a voluntary, cooperative, problem-solving process
• guided process by trained impartial facilitator in safe neutral environment
• assists those involved within the criminal justice system
• assists individuals involved in family conflicts (separation, divorce, custody or access issues)
• A powerful effective tool for resolving conflict
• can enhance or be a substitute for a litigation process

How does it work?

• Mediation contributes to the peace of the community by supporting individuals to reach resolutions
• Empowers participants by providing opportunity to be directly involved in determining outcomes
• Allows parties to jointly explore and reconcile differences

Restoring lives. Preventing Crime. Strengthening Communities.   We are here for you, to improve lives and help with the future.