Youth justice committee program wins innovative management award
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Solicitor General staff accept IPAC award |
By Angelle Meunier
Alberta's innovative youth justice committee program has earned the province a gold award from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC). The program helps youth who commit crimes learn to be accountable to their communities.
IPAC is a non-profit organization that provides networks and forums dedicated to fostering excellence in public service. A five-member jury selected youth justice committees for the gold award from among 132 federal, provincial and municipal government entries.
The youth justice committees program was evaluated on how innovative, relevant, significant and effective it was in relation to the theme of this year's award: "Outside in: changing government to meet client needs."
"The success of Alberta's youth justice committees is a tribute to the commitment and dedication of community-minded volunteers across Alberta," said Solicitor General Heather Forsyth. "They provide a valuable service to Albertans, and to the youth whose lives may be turned around by their help."
Youth justice committees were established to work directly with offenders, to help them learn from their mistakes and become reintegrated into the community. The Alberta Solicitor General Corrections Division helped establish the first youth justice committee in Fort Chipewyan in 1990. There are now 97 youth justice committees in Alberta, ensuring that young offenders are held properly accountable to their victims and the community.
"Youth justice committees make a real difference in our communities," said Julia Cardinal, volunteer chairperson of the Fort Chipewyan committee. "It's amazing to see the young offender, years after their experience with a youth justice committee, working in the community with a smile on their face, as they thank you for making a difference in their lives. It really makes it all worth it."
The committees are made up entirely of dedicated volunteers. More than 1,200 volunteers partner with Alberta Solicitor General to provide services to 1,600 youths in conflict with the law.
"I hope more communities benefit from the excellent job our team has done," said Deputy Solicitor General, Jim Nichols. "Our department will provide any assistance possible to those wanting to build new youth justice committees."
Young offenders who have committed a first or second offence can be referred to youth justice committees for alternative measures. Youth court judges may also seek sentencing advice from youth justice committees after an offender has been found guilty of an offence.
