History

In June 1999, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) announced the creation of the Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award in honour of the late Ron Wiebe, former Warden of Ferndale and Elbow Lake Correctional Institutions, who was terminally ill with cancer and who passed away July, 1999.

Ron was deeply committed to the vision and values of restorative justice and modelled these as an expression of faith in his family, his work and his community life.

This award recognises Canadians who have demonstrated, through their work or lifestyle, ways of transforming human relationships, by enabling and promoting communication and healing between people in conflict, be they victims, offenders, colleagues, families or neighbours.

The award grew out of a deep desire on the part of former CSC Commissioner, Ole Ingstrup, to create a lasting tribute to his friend and colleague who was a true visionary in the field of corrections.

CSC's National Steering Committee on Restorative Justice, of which Ron was a member, and the Restorative Justice and Dispute Resolution Branch of CSC, accepted joint responsibility for providing leadership to develop an appropriate honour. The Selection Committee for the Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award includes a variety of voices, including victim, ex-offender, community and government representatives.

In 2010, Correctional Service Canada chose a new Award Statue. It was felt that this particular design represented the connected and holistic nature of Restorative Justice through the metaphor of three-dimensional circles, all emerging from the same place and contained within a whole.

For further information about this award please contact: nominationronwiebe@csc.gc.ca