NCJ Number
53700
Date Published
1978
Length
17 pages
Annotation
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS TO ADULT AND JUVENILE INSTITUTIONALIZATION IN SASKATCHEWAN (CANADA) ARE DESCRIBED AS WELL AS VARIOUS METHODS FOR CRIME PREVENTION.
Abstract
SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE FAMILY SERVICE ACT OF 1973, THE POLICE CAN USE DISCRETION IN ARRESTING JUVENILE OFFENDERS BUT THEY MUST TURN OVER APPREHENDED YOUTHS TO THE CHILD WELFARE WORKER. TOGETHER POLICE AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS DECIDE WHETHER INFORMAL SUPERVISION OF THE CHILD IS ADEQUATE OR IF CHARGES SHOULD BE FILED. IF A CHILD IS CHARGED WITH AN OFFENSE, THE CHILD AND THE PARENTS APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGE WITHIN 3 WEEKS, AND THE JUDGE MAKES A GUILTY OR NONGUILTY DECISION. A CONVICTED CHILD IS TRANSFERRED TO THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL WELFARE OR TRANSFERRED TO ADULT COURT. THE MINISTER CAN PLACE A CHILD IN A FOSTER HOME, A GROUP HOME, OR A TEMPORARY HOLDING CENTER. THE DEVELOPMENTS IN ADULT CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN THE LATE 1940'S AND 1950'S CENTERED AROUND DEVELOPING BASIC PROBATION SERVICES AND TREATMENT AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES. IN THE 1960'S AND 1970'S, ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION SUCH AS PROBATION, ABSOLUTE OR CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE, FINES, AND INTERMITTENT SENTENCING HAVE BEEN EXPERIMENTED WITH. INNOVATION IN CRIME PREVENTION IN SASKATCHEWAN INCLUDE A COMMUNITY PEACE OFFICER PROGRAM FOR DEALING WITH VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BECOMES CRIMINAL, A COORDINATED SERVICE APPROACH FOR CARE OF ALCOHOLICS, AND COMMUNITYBASED TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR MENTALLY RETARDED PERSONS. THE CANADIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE PENAL LAW AND CONSIDERING WAYS TO DECRIMINALIZE BEHAVIOR THAT HAS SOCIAL OR MORAL RATHER THAN CRIMINAL BASE AND INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE CULTURAL OR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION WITHIN THE LAW.