Nelson Restorative Justice Service (NRJS) is a victim based community organisation funded by the Ministry of Justice.

The objective of Restorative Justice Services throughout the country is to give victims of crime a voice in the justice system.

For the service to be involved the offender has to acknowledge their guilt and have a desire to ‘put it right’ with the victim.  The process allows a victim, if they wish, to meet with an offender in a safe and controlled environment.  To do this a meeting is organised bringing together both parties and their support people, the facilitator and two fully trained volunteer community representatives.  The offender is given the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions.  During the meeting an agreement is made to address the victim’s needs.  This agreement will consist of a variety of tasks that the offender will need to complete. In deciding what tasks should be done, all participants attending will discuss and agree on matters such as reparation amounts, community work hours, as well as what could be put in place to help change the attitude and behaviour of the person charged. Offenders often choose to undertake many tasks to demonstrate to the victim and the judiciary that they are genuinely sorry for what has occurred and put in many hours ‘putting it right’ with both the victim and the wider community.  While the offender works on the tasks agreed to, Nelson Restorative Justice monitors progress and reports at regular intervals to the Court.  At the completion of the agreement the offender in most cases must re-appear in front of the Judge for sentencing.

Meetings can be arranged in any location near where the victim lives in the Nelson/Tasman Districts.