Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Nov 12/99) - Healing rather than incarceration.

That's the emphasis of the Fort Simpson Justice Committee -- also known as the justice circle -- which has seen very few repeat offenders in its five years of existence.

"When the justice committee is working, I think it's awesome," said Pat Waugh, an original member of the committee.

Several committee members reviewed their experiences and set future objectives during a workshop over the weekend.

Workshop facilitator Sue Heron-Herbert recalled one particular case that involved a woman who had been through the penal system many times. The woman and her victim, another woman whom she had assaulted, appeared before the justice circle.

The accused made an insincere apology to her victim, but continued to blame others for her actions. The circle members continued to talk to her until the wee hours of the morning.

The turning point came when one member spoke of his own personal experience. He told everyone of the shame and guilt he felt after striking his sister. That seemed to strike a chord with the accused, whose own family problems were plaguing her and it finally came to the surface. Shortly thereafter, she made eye contact with her victim and made a heart-felt apology.

"There wasn't a person in the room who wasn't crying," Heron-Herbert remembered. "You walked out of there thinking, 'This is what it's all about.' There's nothing more powerful than seeing something like that happen."

The accused was sent out on the land for a few weeks, under supervision, to reflect on her life. She is now employed, a contributing member of her community and hasn't been back before the justice circle.

"It wasn't a question of blame, it wasn't a question of being bad, it was, 'Why are you doing this?'" Heron-Herbert explained, adding that behaviour modification is the crux of aboriginal-style justice.

Justice committee member Randy Sibbeston added, "It's a humane alternative, a down to earth, basic thing where people talk. Common sense is our stock and trade."

Pre-conceived notions and other barriers should be discarded when a person comes before the members of the justice circle.

"The strength of the circle is that we treat everyone like members of our own family," Waugh explained. "We're there because we care about what happens to you."

Heron-Herbert noted that alcoholism and crime are symptoms of much deeper-rooted problem such as sexual abuse. Locking criminals up doesn't address the underlying reasons for their behaviour, she said.

Therefore, forgiveness is another key component of the circle.

The Fort Simpson Justice Committee has actually dealt with more than 100 people since its inception. The vast majority of the offenders never returned, according to Waugh. However, there have been varying degrees of success and there are still some doubters, of course.

Stella Gargan, regional justice specialist said, "For all the good that you do for anybody, you have to expect criticism ... but in my heart I believe we really are effective."

RCMP Cpl. Steve Corcoran, acting detachment commander in Fort Simpson, said he "definitely" considers the justice committee as a viable alternative in some cases.

"We want to work hand in hand with (the committee)," he said.

A meeting between members of the justice committee and the RCMP has been scheduled for next week. In addition to strengthening relations with the RCMP, the committee is going to attempt to improve after-care availability, increase promotion and awareness of the circle and its success rate, and address training as well as self-care and personal development.