14th Annual Presentation of the Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award

Restorative Justice Week November 18-25, 2012

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, November 20, 2012– Last night at a ceremony in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Regional Deputy Commissioner of the Prairie Region, Brenda LePage presented the 14th annual Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award to Corporal James Cooley, as part of the 2012 National Restorative Justice Symposium. Cpl. Cooley currently serves as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) “E” Division’s Restorative Justice Program Director in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Restorative Justice is an approach to justice that emphasizes healing for victims, accountability of offenders, and the involvement of communities in creating healthier, safer communities. Serving as a peace officer with the RCMP since 1989, Cpl. Cooley’s knowledge of peacemaking and healing tradition has contributed greatly to his deep understanding of restorative justice and ignited his advocacy for it in Canada.

“I am proud of the role CSC plays in recognizing this deserving Canadian and the contribution Cpl. Cooley has made to restorative justice – both in his home province and alongside our own staff, who continue to work tirelessly to promote healing between offenders and victims,” said CSC Commissioner Don Head.

Since 1997, Cpl. Cooley has facilitated over 150 Community Justice Forum (CJF) circle processes bringing together victims, offenders and family members while training and mentoring over 1,000 facilitators across Canada and internationally.

Over the last several years, he trained Federal Fisheries and Oceans Conservation Officers in restorative practices to establish partnerships with communities to promote respectful resolutions to related conflicts. He has applied similar skills with mayors, council members and local businesses to initiate restorative justice processes in response to crime and conflict.

Cpl. Cooley is also very involved in Aboriginal communities across B.C. raising awareness of Aboriginal ways and training community members in restorative justice practices.

Ever present and always contributing, Cpl. Cooley’s passion and intimate knowledge of restorative justice issues, strengths, gaps and future direction continue to contribute to the growth and application of this approach in Canada.

For further information, please contact:

CSC Media Relations
613- 992-7711
media@csc-scc.gc.ca