It is difficult to grasp why one would want to allocate financial resources to offenders who have inflicted harm and suffering onto others. There is strong sense of vengeance within our society that creates a mentality that punishing an offender will bring them back to a state where they will not offend again. Our program acknowledges that there is a need for retribution against an offender, but this retribution must tie in to the understanding that many offenders will one day return to the community and their families. It is important to understand that when an offender is punished their children and families are also punished. When the children and families are dragged into the retribution process, the opportunity of the negative criminal cycle is encouraged rather then discouraged. Our program works with offenders and their families so that the offender has the means to make the transition from criminal behaviour to positive social contribution. This transition though is not an easy one for any of the players involved; victim, victim's family, offender's family, community at large, and offender him or herself.

Our program works with offenders who demonstrate the willingness to change, and understand that they have committed offences that have harmed other members of society, and their own family and community. Offenders who are ready to make the change need the support that can only come from an entire community. During the transition process the strain on family and offender can be more intense than during the incarceration time. It is during this transition though that the offender either succeeds or fails to get out of the criminal cycle. The program we have been running for the last three years works with the offender and their children and families to create an opportunity to break the criminal cycle and focus on a new direction based around family and community first.