by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 17/97) - If you've done the crime there may be a way out from doing the time, at least in the conventional sense.

It's called family group counselling and it's directed at criminals after they admit what they did is wrong.

"I think it's a real good way of dealing with people, especially young offenders," said RCMP Const. Anna Marie Mallard. "It lets them repair the harm."

Family group counselling, which originated among the aboriginal people of New Zealand, is open to people who have committed minor crimes.

During the session the victim, the victim's family, the offender and offender's family are invited to speak about the crime through a facilitator and describe how it effected them emotionally.

"Everyone in the circle gets a chance to show how they feel," said Mallard.

"Everyone walks away feeling there is a repair of the harm and re-integrate amongst each other."

Family group counselling is an alternative to the court system.

This type of community justice deals with behavior and does not judge the person, Mallard said, and the person walks away with an unblemished criminal record.

Family group counselling came to North America in 1994.

Since January of last year five people have trained in Regina, Sask., to manage the Yellowknife program. These five will train others such as social services workers and justice committee members to offer counselling.