Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Kimmirut (Oct 07/02) - Community justice is looking to make a comeback in Kimmirut.

After a nine-month absence, the hamlet is looking to restart the Kimmirut Community Justice Committee.

The hamlet has been without a committee since the co-ordinator left last January.

All criminal offences since then have been dealt with by the RCMP and Nunavut court system.

The justice committee aims to deter first-time adult and youth offenders from re-offending.

It is an alternative to punishment through the court system in which the offender pays back to the community via restitution and community service.

Offenders who appear before the committee are referred by the RCMP and are usually charged with minor cases of break and entry, theft and property vandalism.

Kimmirut senior administrative officer Jude Ortiz said she decided to look for a new co-ordinator after she was approached by a resident who suggested it would be a good idea to get the committee up and running again.

"In my mind it really helps a community take its power back. Rather than rely on other people to institute decisions they have a chance to deal with their own difficulties," said Ortiz.

"I think it teaches respect and the person can perceive that they are much more a part of a community and realize that their actions have consequences," she said.

Cpl. Al Goodyear of the Kimmirut RCMP said there is a definite need for alternative justice in the community.

"We think of course that this sort of thing should be very prominent in administering justice, especially to first time offenders," he said.

Goodyear said most offences committed in the community are minor in nature and could indeed be handled by the Community Justice Committee.

Ortiz said the new co-ordinator will work four hours per week co-ordinating activities and projects and will act as a liaison for the committee.