Restorative justice http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/index-eng.shtml is a non-adversarial, non-retributive approach to justice that emphasizes healing in victims, meaningful accountability of offenders, and the involvement of citizens in creating healthier, safer communities. 

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), as part of the criminal justice system and respecting the rule of law, contributes to public safety by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control. The management and staff of the Correctional Service of Canada are guided in their work by CSC's core values:

1) We respect the dignity of individuals, the right of all members of society, and the potential for human growth and development;
2) We recognize that the offender has the potential to live as a law-abiding citizen;
3) We believe that our strength and our major resources in achieving our objectives is our staff and that human relationships are the cornerstone of our endeavors;
4) We believe that the sharing of ideas, knowledge, values and experience, nationally and internationally, is essential to the achievement of our Mission;
5) We believe in managing the Service with openness and integrity and we are accountable to the Minister of Public Safety Canada.

Recently, we were made aware of a feral cat colony which has been residing on the grounds of the Medium-Security Bath Correctional Institution, in Bath, Ontario. This colony, despite having been established at the Bath Institution for four years, was slated for euthanization, against the expressed wishes of the inmates that the colony remain on Bath Institution property. An email campaign was launched on March 14th, 2010 and we are happy to report its' success. We believe that the colony has now been saved, at least from being euthanized. Plans are now underway to T/V/N/R (Trap/Vaccinate/Neuter/Return) these cats in the very near future, partial cost of which will be covered by the inmates themselves who have collectively donated $1,000 towards this cause. Numerous studies have shown the benefit of such relationships in lower recidivism rates and positive impact on the inmates. http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/prison_cats_change_inmates_for_the_better  To remove this colony, of which the inmates have grown fond and have taken care of for the past four years, would be a travesty. We are now asking that people sign our petition which is demanding that an inmate-cat program be immediately established by Correction Services Canada to allow the feral cat colony to remain on the property of the Bath Institution and in the care of the inmates. This petition will be brought to the attention of the appropriate parties in the CSC, stakeholders and community partners. Thank you for your continued support.


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Update:

We want it noted that L.A.F.F. had spent considerable time and energy over the last 7 months to bring about this process, which was set to begin early in February.  The individual in the administration who took it upon himself to cancel the surgeries is directly responsible for the fact that there are now 26 + cats, and that there will be an additional 12-15 kittens born before we can collect the colony on March 31. 

This action was foolish, wasteful, and irrefutably stupid.  It demonstrates a lack of foresight that should never be found in any level of administration.

What was a minor issue has now trebled in complexity.