The Elmira Case: The Birthplace of Restorative Justice

In 1974, a drunken rampage in small-town Elmira, Ontario, sparked a change in the justice system that would have worldwide impact. An inspiring probation officer. A forward thinking judge. Two wayward youth willing to take responsibility for their mistakes. A community willing to forgive. Together, this case revolutionized the way conflict is resolved, and has inspired the worldwide movement of modern restorative justice that is practiced in more than 50 countries around the world today.

Home use only.

• Documentary (16 min): Telling the story of the case that started the modern restorative justice movement - the case itself, the story of Russell Kelly, one of the perpetrators, and others involved.
• What is Restorative Justice? (2:30 min): Concise and engaging breakdown of what exactly restorative justice is, and why it matters.
• Restorative Justice Case Study I (3 min): Community Justice Initiatives (CJI) facilitator, Julie Friesen, breaks down a specific case, and explains the dynamics that happen in a meeting.
• Case Study II (4 min): CJI Executive Director, Chris Cowie, discusses how restorative justice was used in a case involving serious violence.
• Restorative Justice Conversations (6 min): A deeper discussion of the impact of restorative justice, why it is effective, and how it can be applied to different scenarios.