NCJ Number
47500
Date Published
1977
Length
460 pages
Annotation
THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS BROAD FEDERAL/PROVINCIAL CONSULTATION AS THE FIRST STEP IN DEVELOPING THE WIDEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN THE CANADIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE TASK FORCE EXPLORED THE RANGE OF PROBLEMS IN RELATIONSHIP, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ROLES OF FORMALIZED ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD, EMPHASIZING THE ROLE OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AS IT MAY AFFECT SUCH DIVERSE AREAS AS POLICE COMMISSIONS, LEGAL AID SERVICES DELIVERY, AND CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEES FOR PENAL INSTITUTIONS. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES FROM WHICH TO VIEW THE CURRENT PROBLEMS ARE PRESENTED, INCLUDING A CHRONOLOGY OF GENERAL NONGOVERNMENTAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES FROM 1867-1975. THE TASK FORCE'S OBJECTIVES INCLUDED: (1) OPENING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENTS AT THE FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL LEVELS; (2) RECOMMENDING APPROPRIATE STRUCTURES FOR SHORT- AND LONG-TERM PLANNING AIMED AT COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE SECTORS; (3) RECOMMENDING FUNDING MODELS; (4) COMPILING AN INVENTORY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND RELATING THESE TO SERVICES PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENTS; AND (5) COMPILING A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF GAPS BETWEEN GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE SECTOR SERVICES WITH A VIEW TO RECOMMENDING WHO SHOULD INITITIATE FUTURE ENDEAVORS. THE REPORT PROVIDES A DEFINITION OF TERMS USED IN ITS REVIEW OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD FROM JUNE 1976-APRIL 1977. THE TASK FORCE GATHERED OPINIONS FROM INFORMED PARTICIPANTS THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCES. CANADIAN NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGO'S) WORKING IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE HAVE SEEN A SHIFT OF RESOURCES FROM NARROWLY FOCUSED PRISON AND POSTPRISON SERVICES TO SERVICES PROVIDING ASSISTANCE ACROSS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPECTRUM. ANOTHER CHANGE IS THE USE OF 'MIXED STAFFING', EMPLOYING PROFESSIONALS, PARAPROFESSIONALS, EX-OFFENDERS, AND VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE DELIVERY. A MAJOR SOURCE OF DISCONTENT AMONG NONGOVERNMENTAL PROVIDORS OF SERVICES STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT GOVERNMENTS SET SERVICE STANDARDS WITHOUT EXTERNAL CONSULTATION OR PARTICIPATION. NONGOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES WHILE STILL PREOCCUPIED WITH FUNDING ISSUES AND ECONOMIC SURVIVALY WANT MORE IMPORTANT AND CLEARER RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE FIELD. THE NGO'S ARE OFTEN CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF FEDERAL/PROVINCIAL RELATIONSHIPS. FUNDING PROBLEMS FOR THE NATIVE SECTOR ARE EXAMINED, INCLUDING MINORITIES. VOLUNTEERS WERE FOUND TO BE INVOLVED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS; THEIR VALUE IS WEIGHTED DIFFERENTLY BY VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. THE TASK FORCE FOUND A GREATLY STRENGTHENED AND MORE STABILIZED CAPACITY ACROSS CANADA IMPERATIVE FOR NGO'S AND CITIZEN-BASED SERVICES. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAKING THIS TRANSITION ARE MADE, AS WELL AS GENERAL SHORT- AND LONG-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS. A SAMPLE LISTING OF NGO'S, A SCHEDULE OF THE INTERIM TASK FORCE MEETINGS, AND A PAPER ON ROLES FOR VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS ARE APPENDED. REFERENCES, NOTES, AND CHARTS ARE PROVIDED. (JSP)