1. Youth Justice in Canada Eva Moore, MD, MSPH University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Presented at SAHM, Austin, TX 2014

2. Incarceration Rates per 100,000 80 730 336 117 40 Statistics Canada; Hazel, Cross National Comparison of Youth Justice 76

3. Youth in Custody has declined YCJA (2003) Statistics Canada

4. Disproportional Representation of Minorities Time Out BC, McCreary Centre Society, 2004 6% 47%

5. Diversion at Every Step PoliceCourt Hearing & Sentencing 1.Caution 2.Extra- judicial sanction 1.Nothing 2.Warn 3.Extrajudicial Measures 1.Community Supervision (90%) 2.Custody (10%) Justice Education Society of BC, 2013

6. Examples of Extrajudicial Measures Apology Curfew Counseling No contact with negative peers Restitution Community programs Mediation Parental involvement Mentorship Restorative justice circle Sports program Presentation at school Community service Reconnect youth with their culture Outward Bound Alternative school programs

7. Sentencing A youth cannot be sentenced to custody unless he/she has – Committed a violent offence – Failed to comply with non-custodial sentence – Committed an indictable offence for which an adult could receive a 2-year sentence AND has a previous record of offending

8. Decriminalization in Action “Through SACY I’ve become more responsible and it has shown me to be myself.” -SACY Youth participant

10. Strength, self-respect, positive feelings for his PO, motivation, future-thinking Employability, higher education First charge at 12 Top 20 local youth offenders list Multiple charges; repeat, long-term offender Gang-involved On probation until 18 Youth Voice

11. Paradigm shift Criminalization  rehabilitation, skill building Delinquent activities  Prosocial activities Positive adult role models Positive place in society Recognition of crime severity, decriminalization of lesser crimes such as possession of marijuana Community investment

12. Thank you Youth volunteer RICHER Initiative NASKARZ, RESTART Restorative Justice in BC Justice Education Society of BC McCreary Centre Society Statistics Canada