When any person becomes identified as a suspect, an offender support person is called. These offender support persons offer assistance in finding immediate support, advice, and care if desired. They are well versed in the restorative justice principles, values, and goals, and are able to explain the investigation and resolution processes.

If suspects/offenders are in need of medical care, the offender support person will refer them to medical clinics or other assistance.

In the absence of an attorney for the suspect, support persons are responsible for making sure that suspects are given a fair and un-coerced opportunity to confess or tell their stories during the police or investigator’s interviews. Furthermore, offender support people refer suspects without legal counsel to an offender advocate. An offender advocate is someone who, although not an attorney, is trained to explain legal processes and alternatives to the suspect, to advise the suspect of their legal rights, and to explain their options. Offender advocates are fully trained in restorative justice principles, values, goals and processes.

At any point in time, if the suspect/offender does not want assistance, the support person will stop providing the unwanted assistance. If no assistance is desired, offenders are offered a brochure outlining assistance options.  At any point until their case is closed, offenders may request appropriate assistance.

The kinds of assistance that are offered to offenders include the following:

1.      Physical Care.

Offenders are responsible for their own physical care unless they have been taken into government custody or have been injured by law enforcement officers.

2.      Restoration Care.

Offenders are offered an offender advocate to guide them through the process of dealing with the crime and its consequences. The offender advocate is available to listen to the offender’s story, help the offender examine the options available (e.g., cooperative or adjudicative processes, etc.), provide names of attorneys who could represent the victim in an adjudicative process, and accompany the offender to any proceeding.

Offenders are also entitled to legal counsel. If they are not able to afford their own, one is appointed to assist them. The offenders in RJ City have not had their rights to an attorney limited or reduced in any way over the rights of suspects outside of RJ City.

3.      Emotional and Spiritual Care.

If desired, the offender support person will refer the offender to religious and or spiritual resources of the offender’s choosing.

4.      Family Care.

The offender’s family may also need care. If so, the offender support people will refer them to places where they may obtain such assistance. These services are offered to the family regardless of whether the offender makes use of the support offered.

5.      Sentence Support.

The Community Building Sphere will provide the resources needed by an offender to complete his or her sentence. For example, staff of the Community Building Sphere will connect offenders with drug rehabilitation centres, community service organizations, employment opportunities, etc.