NCJ Number
141314
Date Published
1992
Length
24 pages
Annotation
These workshop presentations describe several innovative projects in Saskatchewan (Canada) that maximize community involvement in addressing the needs of youth in conflict with the law.
Abstract
The sentencing advisory committee, composed of community elders, is used in a number of Native communities in Saskatchewan to recommend sentences to juvenile courts. In one community, a youth worker outlines the facts of the case to the committee, and then the committee meets with the offender and explains its recommendation to the judge. The committee's recommendation is included as an attachment to the predisposition report. In another community, the sentencing advisory committee may receive juvenile cases direct from the police and fashion dispositions that divert youth from formal court processing. Another community-based juvenile program, known as the Intensive Intervention Program, contracts with local people on Native reserves and in other communities to assist juveniles in the completion of their dispositions. The tasks of community members range from the negotiation of an alternatives measures or mediation agreement to the monitoring of youths to ensure that they fulfill alcohol assessment and treatment appointments. Participants are paid according to the nature of the task and the amount of time involved. Saskatchewan Social Services operates a Community Homes Program that uses families in communities to house and supervise juvenile offenders. Since these families are expected to exercise extensive control and supervision of these youth, they are paid more than the standard foster home rate. Two other programs use community members to help youths complete community service orders and to provide opportunities for community service work for youth. 4 resource readings