Our justice committees
Westman Region
Yellowhead CJC: Primarily meets in Shoal Lake but covers a large area and moves meetings as necessary. Covers the Yellowhead RCMP’s catchment area from Shoal Lake, Hamiota, Elphinstone to Wasagaming. This includes Keeseekoowenin FN and Rolling River FN.
Spruce Plains CJC: Primarily meets in Neepawa. Covers the areas of Minnedosa, Neepawa, and Gladestone.
Virden CJC: Primarily meets in Virden. Covers referrals from west of Virden; (Elkhorn etc.), east of Virden; (Oak Lake etc.), including Sioux Valley FN and south of Virden; (Reston, Melita etc).
Riverdale CJC: Primarily in Rivers. Covers Riverdale Municipality.
Assiniboine CJC: Primarily meets in Brandon. Covers the areas of Brandon, Shilo, Carberry, Alexander.
Souris CJC: Primarily meets in Souris. Covers the areas of Souris, Nesbitt, Glenboro, Wawanesa, Hartney.
Boissevain CJC: Primarily meets in Boissevain. Covers the areas of Boissevain and the areas West; Deloraine, Pierson, Lyleton, etc. and North; Minto etc.
Killarney CJC: Primarily meets in Killarney. Covers the areas of Killarney and the areas north; Dunrea, Ninette, Baldur etc. and south; Cartwright.
Parkland Region
Prairie Mountain CJC
Swan River CJC
Dauphin CJC
What's the role of the justice committee in rural Manitoba
An explanation
Community Justice Committees - What are These??
It's not clear many people know just what a Community Justice Committee is. A Community Justice Committee (CJC) is a group of volunteers that formed to try to do what they could to turn the lives of youth and adults who have broken the law. Instead of charging them with the crime they have committed, they are referred to Westman Mediation Services, who sends their case to the local CJC. The Committee then sits down with the individual and the victim (if they choose to), and, with the help of the victim, they decide what the accused needs to do to make up for the crime they committed. If they complete successfully, their crimes do not go on their criminal record. The main organization, Westman Mediation Services, oversees the Justice Committees in: Boissevain; Killarney; Souris; Brandon; Rivers; Virden; Spruce Plains; Yellowhead Area; Prairie Mountain Area; Dauphin; and Swan River
Neepawa has had a Justice Committee for many years, it's known as the Spruce Plains Justice Committee. It consists of people from the community who have a desire to see that people are given a second chance in life. For example, if they've been caught stealing, being destructive of property in Neepawa or surrounding areas, they are brought before the Committee and giving a chance to do community service or to pay for the damages done, rather than go before a Judge and have a criminal record. That criminal record can damage your life for years and hamper the person’s chances of getting jobs, crossing the border, etc.. Groups having Justice Committees have also gone to Stoney Mountain Prison so they can see firsthand what the environment is like in there. It was an eye opener for the committee members.
The Assiniboine Community Justice Committee is always looking for members who are interested in helping to turn lives around. You're never too old to learn there is a better way, a straight way to turn your lives around. If you're interested, contact Westman Mediation Services in Brandon at: 153 8th Street Brandon, Manitoba, or e-mail them at: office@brandonjohnhoward.ca.
A CONCERNED CITIZEN FOR THE YOUTH AND ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Hello
Volunteer
The Community Justice Committees are 100% volunteer. People who care about and for their community and each other are critical to the success of the program.