NCJ Number
155994
Date Published
1994
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Focusing on juvenile delinquency and youthful offenders, this report from the police of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada recommends several changes in Canada's Young Offenders Act to improve the effectiveness of efforts to address juvenile delinquency.
Abstract
Four fundamental issues must be considered when addressing the matter of youth crime: justice for victims, public safety, juvenile rehabilitation, and crime prevention. Each recommendation is based on one or more of these precepts. The first recommendation is that the Young Offenders Act be amended so that public safety and offender accountability are the overriding principle by which the legislation is interpreted. Additional recommendations are to make it easier to waive serious and serious repeat juvenile offenders ages 16-17 to criminal court, to strengthen sentencing guidelines for serious repeat offenders, to enhance the current system of community service opportunities for youthful offenders, and to increase the use of youth justice committees. Seven additional recommendations and table