NCJ Number
206782
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 66 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2004 Pages: 102-104
Date Published
July 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article presents the rationale, format, and content of a community forum, sponsored by Correctional Service Canada (CSC), in the local Chinese community of Markham, Ontario, for the purposes of increasing community involvement in crime prevention and the reintegration of offenders.
Abstract
Plans for the forum were initiated by CSC's local parole office, with the early involvement of a local Chinese community organization. The forum described in this article is one of a series of similar forums being held across Canada, with each forum reflecting the specific needs of the community in which each is held. For the Chinese community of Markham, the concerns in March 2004 were home invasions and auto thefts. The organizers opened the forum with remarks from local dignitaries, followed by a panel discussion that included representatives from the criminal justice system: a police constable, prosecutor, judge, defense attorney, probation officers, parole officers, and a member of the National Parole Board. An empty chair represented the "invisible" victim. Each member of the panel described his/her role and duties and reflected on what he/she had done to assist or support a crime victim at each stage of case processing. The moderator's questions focused on how the criminal justice system can be more responsive to community concerns as well as how community members can assist in the mission of the criminal justice system to increase public safety. The panel was followed by three presentations that focused on the reintegration of high-risk sex offenders, the misuse of prescription drugs by teens, and racial profiling of minority high school students. After a lunch break, the forum resumed with three workshops that addressed the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the reintegration of high-risk offenders, and the community policing initiative by the local police service. The forum concluded with a panel that discussed who is responsible for justice. Those considering a similar forum should mobilize the local community well in advance of the event by involving residents during the planning stages. Also, the local community should be surveyed about its concerns and the information sessions structured to address them.