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The Atlantic Community Justice Project

Atlantic Community Justice
Survey Results


TOTAL NUMBER OF SURVEYS MAILED OUT: 472


OF THE 472 SURVEYS THAT WERE MAILED OUT:
  • 46.2% went to New Brunswick
  • 7.6% went to Prince Edward Island
  • 17.1% went to Nova Scotia
  • 24.1 % went to Newfoundland

TOTAL NUMBER OF SURVEYS RETURNED: 87


PERCENTAGE OF SURVEYS RETURNED: 18.4%*

(*Survey results mailed in Atlantic Canada usually result in a rate of response of 3-5 %)


Survey Demographics


Of the 87 respondents returned:


37.7 % were female 62.4 % were male


Of the females that responded


4 % were 20 - 29 years of age

17 % were 30 - 39 years of age

36 % were 40 - 49 years of age

28 % were 50 - 59 years of age

13 % were over 60

2 % not included


Of the males that responded

 6 % were 20 - 29 years of age

38 % were 30 - 39 years of age

44 % were 40 - 49 years of age

9 % were 50 - 59 years of age

3 % were over 60


Of the 87 respondents:

38 % resided in their community between 1 - 10 years

20 % resided in their community between 11 - 20 years

23 % resided in their community between 21 - 30 years

2 % resided in their community between 31 - 40 years

6 % resided in their community between 41 - 50 years

11 % resided in their community more than 50 years


Of the 87 respondents:

69 % were married

14 % were single

3 % were separated

7 % were divorced

7 % were living with a partner


Of the 87 respondents:

47 % were from New Brunswick

12 % were from Prince Edward Island

19 % were from Nova Scotia

22 % were from Newfoundland


Of the 87 respondents:

5 % had some elementary or high school

6 % had a high school diploma

2 % had a college or technical school diploma

6 % had some university

45 % had a bachelor's degree

36 % had a graduate degree


Of the 87 respondents:

20 % were faith community leaders or volunteers

26 % were government justice system employees

16 % were volunteer community facilitators of a community justice process

10 % were volunteer promoters of community justice

14 % were police or correctional officers

4 % were paid facilitators of a community justice process

2 % were paid promoters of community justice

8 % were other


Community Justice Activities

What prompted your interest in this area?

 In an analysis of this question it was determined that the top five responses were:
  • Job requirement
  • System not meeting needs
  • Interest in conflict resolution
  • Concern for youth
  • Concern for community safety

What are the top five characteristics of your ideal justice system?

An analysis was done of all answers received resulting in a determination that the top ten characteristics in order of importance are:

  1. Fair
  2. Community participation
  3. Collaborative process
  4. Crime Prevention/Education
  5. Needs of victims, offenders and communities are addressed
    • Needs/rights of victims are addressed
    • Repairs harm
    • Community ownership
    • Holds offender accountable
    • User friendly services


Please define Restorative Justice.

The top ten characteristics in descending order were:

  1. Community, Victim and Offender coming together to resolve a problem
  2. Community Ownership
  3. Repairs harm
  4. Offender takes responsibility
  5. Victim, Offender and community participate in a meaningful way
  6. Healing
  7. Restoring Harmony
  8. Reintegration of parties to the community
  9. Recognizes the needs/concerns of victims, offenders and communities
  10. Focuses on human values and loss

While some of the definitions mentioned similar qualities, it is interesting to note that the survey resulted in 69 different definitions for the term Restorative Justice.


In your opinion, who should be ultimately responsible for the justice system in Canada?

55 % a combination of the above (federal, provincial, municipal governments; community members, policing organizations, non profit organization and for profit organization)

15 % other variations of the list

30 % federal government


About your community


Are there any barriers to responding to crime in a restorative way in your community? Please describe.

The top five answers in descending order were:

  • Resistance to change/ Current structures
  • Lack of Awareness/ Need for Community education and support
  • Fear/Lack of understanding
  • Lack of government commitment and finances
  • None

Are there any barriers to getting the community justice message across to the community? Please describe:

The top five answers in descending order were:

  • The complexity of the issue/Need for better understanding/Public Relations and awareness
  • Lack of money, time and resources
  • Community support and direction
  • Fear
  • None

What would make it easier for you in your paid or volunteer work to increase the level of community awareness about and participation in community justice?

The top six answers in descending order were:

  • Media / Public Awareness Campaign
  • Educational seminars/Public Forums
  • Greater Commitment/Resources
  • More Money
  • More Time
  • More partnering/Collaborative efforts

What if anything needs to be done to prepare the community to take on a major role in the justice system?

 The top five answers in descending order were:
  • More Education on the issue and the Recruitment of key players.
  • More financial resources and Commitment to Community development.
  • Increase information and awareness of the benefits of such a system with success stories.
  • Change at the top/political will/Leadership.
  • Media Package/Public Relations.




© 1999, Atlantic Community Justice Project
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