Welcome back to campus Christina! Can you share more about your learning journey here at CNC?
I started in the social service worker program in 2014 and got my diploma in 2016. After a few years, I felt the urge to dive deeper into social services, so I went back to CNC to get the necessary credits to apply for university next year. University Studies at CNC leaves it really open to pick and choose your credits so I took courses, such as plain language and writing, to provide me with transferable skills and help me in my social work career.
And there was one course in particular that sparked your interest.
Yes, the
Inside-Out course on restorative justice! It’s a program that brings together “inside” students at a correctional centre with “outside” students at a campus. I took a sociology class with instructor Marc Sinclair before, and he mentioned that the Inside-Out program would be coming to CNC.
What really intrigued me about the course was the focus on
restorative justice and its Indigenous roots. In simple words, it’s an approach to criminal justice that takes the needs of victims, offenders and their communities into account while repairing harm.
I’ve had a rocky childhood until well into my twenties, and I could have easily been one of the inside students if it wasn’t for people stepping up for me when I needed it most. I know and have experienced some of the things the inside students have been through. It instilled a belief in me that anyone can recover and make different decisions for themselves, as long as you give them that opportunity and the right resources to help.
The Inside-Out program originally brings campus-based students with incarcerated students in a prison, jail or other correctional setting. Because of the geographical distance, the program at CNC was given online. How was it to connect with each other virtually?
Our instructor Marc was very much aware and intentional about some of the virtual challenges, and the differences existing between inside and outside students. He had some strict expectations to ensure we were all on an equal playing field and treated each other with respect and dignity.
Small things, like not eating fast food or drinking Tim Hortons in front of the camera, even if we were in our own homes. We also had to handwrite all our assignments and reflections because the outside students didn’t have access to computers for their coursework. That really put things into perspective for us.
What’s one thing you learned that changed your thinking around the justice system?
We talked at length about the gaps in our current justice system and how it’s been harmful instead of helpful for a lot of people. It really challenged some of our societal believes about the justice system and how it’s intentionally been designed to be about punishment rather than help.
I came from a generation where Canadian history was told very differently. It’s taken me a lot of learning, unlearning and relearning of what I once believed to be true. Many of the biases that followed me throughout my life needed to be mirrored and adapted along the way.
The course confirmed for me that in the justice system we do treat Indigenous Peoples differently than other members of society. That’s not an opinion; it’s the truth backed up by research and disturbing statistics.
How has the course supported your study at CNC and your work at Foundry?
We explored Indigenous teachings and alternative solutions that would have a positive impact on both sides of the criminal justice coin. Restorative justice is not the answer to every situation, but I think it could be the solution for many.
I work for the central office of Foundry and our organization has always been very supportive of Indigenous teachings to inform our trainings, policies, and processes. This course has given me helpful language to contribute to the constant learning, growing, adapting and building of Foundry as we seek to dismantle colonialism in our work.
Foundry works with a lot of Indigenous youth, as well as provincial family justice counsellors. It’s important for us that we’re as culturally safe and appropriate as possible in our services and at our locations across B.C.
As for my study: it gave me the credits in a very fitting way to continue my educational journey in social services and provided me with soft skills that can be transferred to any situation. You cannot know where someone is coming from, what traumas they’ve been through, or what decisions they have made in their life. The insights I’ve taken away from the Inside-Out program will support my growth personally and professional for a lifetime.
The
Inside-Out program has been offered at more than 150 post-secondary institutions around the world and closer to home. CNC received support through Vancouver Island University to prepare for and offer the first section of the program in Spring 2024.
A second cohort of inside students will be participating remotely in Spring 2025 from the
Kwìkwèxwelhp (pronounced Kwee-Kwep) Healing Village. It is among a few Indigenous healing spaces and the only longhouse within Canada’s correctional facilities at this time.
CNC is looking for partners to help us cover the program costs for incarcerated students to participate and be eligible to earn full college credits for a second-year level course on Restorative Justice. Your financial support helps us in offering an impactful educational program that will change the lives of individuals involved in justice and corrections by opening access and pathways to education and gainful employment.
The aspiration is to partner in the future with the Prince George Regional Correction Centre (PGRCC) to create local connections for CNC students and individuals that are currently incarcerated.
Connect with CNC’s
Donor Relations team to learn more about how you can support this initiative.