Mission Statement
L.I.N.C. seeks to promote equality and justice for all by advancing the basic principles of restorative justice through positive intervention in the lives of persons sentenced to lengthy terms of incarceration and in the lives of their families.
Guiding Principles
L.I.N.C. believes in and is committed to the following principles:
- that every person within society has a fundamental right to be safe and secure,
- that everyone is part of the reintegration process where all people have an inherent value and dignity,
- that the positive contribution of every person can have a meaningful impact on the spirit of justice, and on the sense of well being, within the community,
- that hope for the future lies in the potential of every individual to change, and in the willingness of others to support and encourage that change.
The L.I.N.C. Philosophy
At the core of the L.I.N.C. philosophy is
a belief in restorative justice. The worthlessness and isolation
that many offenders feel is often clouded by their denial of guilt,
which is expressed by anger, and a sense of victimization. In order
for offenders to change their behaviour, they need to be accountable
for what they have done to their victims, their families and the
community. Only in acknowledging their responsibility, can true
healing begin. (Principle 2) L.I.N.C. weekly peer support groups
and one-to-one counselling provide an avenue to address the many
issues surrounding an offender's successful reintegration into the
community. Group volunteer work assists in building self-esteem
by giving offenders opportunities to "give back." (Principle 1)
L.I.N.C. contributes to the protection of society by giving hope
and practical assistance to those individuals who have previously
thought of themselves as unredeemable. (Principle 4)
