Healing Justice: Recovery, Culture, and Court Reform

Russell Purdy, Dr. Michael Tibollo, Justice Karen Crow Shoe

Panel 6 – Indigenous Health Stream Corrections and Justice

September 24th Day Two – Exhibition Hall C North Building 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Healing Justice: Recovery, Culture, and Court Reform

Dr. Michael Tibollo

Session Description

The intersection of justice and healthcare presents both a challenge and an opportunity particularly for individuals entangled in the criminal justice system due to complex mental health, substance use, and social marginalization issues. Our justice system is undergoing a critical transformation aimed at reducing recidivism, promoting community reintegration, and advancing recovery-oriented care for those most vulnerable.

This presentation explores the urgent need to redesign court systems and correctional practices using a biopsychosocial lens that considers trauma histories, cultural identity, and systemic inequities. Drawing on clinical psychology and policy leadership, I will outline scalable interventions such as mental health courts, diversion programs, and trauma-informed corrections, alongside culturally safe care models that acknowledge the lived realities of Indigenous, racialized, and marginalized populations.

The integration of culturally responsive treatment within judicial processes ensures that justice is not only served but also seen as a vehicle for healing. With real-world data and pilot outcomes from provincial initiatives, this presentation will challenge existing punitive paradigms and offer a roadmap for embedding recovery-oriented systems into judicial policy and prison reform.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the key components of a biopsychosocial and culturally responsive framework for court and incarceration reform.
  • Analyze how recovery-oriented justice practices reduce recidivism and support long-term wellness.
  • Explore the systemic benefits of integrating culturally informed mental health and substance use supports within legal systems.

References:

  • The development of the content for my abstract is based upon my work as a justice with the Alberta Court of Justice.

Bio

The Honourable Michael Tibollo is a seasoned lawyer, a passionate advocate, and a devoted public servant whose career spans over three decades of unwavering dedication to justice, community, and care.

With 30 years of experience in corporate and commercial law, Michael Tibollo built a reputation for integrity, excellence and service. His legal career laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to bettering the lives of those around him, especially in his beloved home of Vaughan-Woodbridge. A true community man, he has remained deeply involved in local cultural and heritage events, supporting philanthropic causes and championing the people and traditions that make his community thrive.

Michael Tibollo’s passion for mental health and addictions is deeply personal and has defined much of his life’s work. As a long-time volunteer addictions counsellor, he has walked alongside individuals battling substance use disorders, offering support, understanding, and hope. This commitment inspired him to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology, focusing his research on residential therapeutic communities, an area he believes holds transformative potential for long-term recovery.

His journey from the boardroom to the cabinet table has been marked by purpose and progress. He has proudly served the people of Ontario in several ministerial roles, including as Solicitor General of Ontario (formerly known as the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services), Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and as Ontario’s first-ever Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. Today, as Associate Attorney General, his career comes full circle as he continues to shape policy and law for a safer, healthier, and more just province.

A lifelong learner, Michael embodies a rare blend of curiosity and discipline. He holds a Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma, using his knowledge to advocate for hospital reform and greater healthcare efficiencies across Ontario.

Other Panel Members

Join us for the Alberta Recovery Summit, hosted by the 9th Annual Recovery Capital Conference taking place on September 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 2025.

 Session Streams

  • Health Care and Recovery
  • Indigenous Health
  • Occupational Health and Safety

 Key Details

  • DAY ONE September 23rd – 5:30 pm 6:30: Early Badge Pick Up and Networking Reception, 6:30 pm to 8 pm Pre Conference Presentation
  • DAY TWO September 24th – 8:45 am to 5 pm: Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions
  • DAY THREE September 25th – 9 am to 5 pm: Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions

 Hotels

Book your hotel at one of our host hotels and save money. Click on the links for the discount rates and book early as rates will go up, and they always sell out.

Schedule

Speakers

Registration

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