​Building Stronger Relationships
​Through Restorative Practices

Lanark County Community Justice is a non-profit charity. Our mission is to provide and promote the community use of restorative practices. We bring people together to repair the harm from conflict and crime, build community and strengthen relationships.

Our Programs

We have proudly served communities across Lanark County and the town of Smiths Falls for over 20 years; facilitating restorative justice forums through our Community Justice Court Diversion Program. Our programs encourage the use of Restorative Practices and help to prevent harm, promote strong, healthy and vibrant connections; foster empathy, emotional literacy, resilience; and facilitate peaceful conflict resolution.

Community Justice Changes Lives

With 30 fully-trained volunteers who conduct the community justice forums, LCCJ has been providing court diversion services for over 20 years.  Our recidivism rate is than 5-7% compared to the recidivism rate for similar cases through the criminal system of about 30%.
  • Volunteers donate an annual average of 2,500 volunteer hours as a community response to crime and conflict
  • 92% of participant respondents felt the accused took responsibility for their actions
  • 68% of our community justice forums are for youth
  • The average length of time from referral to completion of a case is 102 days
  • Restorative Justice is more than 6 times more cost effective than traditional criminal justice

Volunteer Recruitment

We have a number of different types of volunteer opportunities available throughout the year that appeal to a variety of individuals! 

Land Acknowledgement: Lanark County Community Justice (LCCJ) provides services on the customary and traditional lands of the Algonquin/Omàmìwininì peoples.  We acknowledge the injustices of the past and those that continue today.  As we seek to achieve reconciliation, we are committed to speaking truth and working towards justice in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.