Extrajudicial Sanctions and Measures
There are two youth diversion programs that we offer, Extra Judicial Measures (EJM) and Extra Judicial Sanctions (EJS). These programs provide alternatives to formal charges for youth who may otherwise be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).
Referrals come from police for EJM; no charges are laid if the youth completes the program successfully.
EJS referrals come from the courts and the charge is withdrawn upon successful completion.
These programs give youth aged 12-17 a chance to take responsibility for their actions and play a bigger role in resolving their offences. They help youth understand the rights and needs of the victims by addressing their concerns and views.
Families and the community are encouraged to be part of the process to decide what the youth should do to repair the harm caused. This can include community service hours, attending programs, writing apology letters, or participating in a Youth Justice Committee (YJC). The YJC is made up of community volunteers who meet with the youth and their parents/guardians to find ways to make amends. Victims are invited to participate, either in person or by providing input in writing, to express how the youth’s actions affected them. Both the youth and the victims can bring people to support them.
Community volunteers guide everyone in a discussion about the harm caused, its impact on the victim and the community, and ways to make things right. This helps everyone move forward with a sense of resolution and well-being.
Youth ParticipantI felt that the staff were truly helpful and concerned to really help fix my mistakes. Truly an excellent experience.
VictimI greatly appreciate you and the team and the efforts you have made to try and put the youth on a more positive path in life.
What are some examples of community-based measures/sanctions that a young person would be responsible for completing?
Measures and sanctions are negotiated on an individual basis and may include options such as apology to the victim, community service work, restitution, projects, programing to address cognitive/behavioural skills, self-awareness, life skills, anger awareness and participating in restorative justice circles.
Who is involved in deciding what the young person will be completing?
Where appropriate, the program provides opportunities for family members and the community to become involved in the design and implementation of what the young person will be responsible for completing. The program also provides victims the opportunity to participate and have a voice in the decisions related to what the young person will complete to repair the harm that was caused.
These programs are restorative in nature as the focus is to separate out the youth from their behaviour and address the underlying cause so that all involved can move forward with a sense of resolution. Youth are held accountable and are provided with the opportunity to repair the harm and understand the impact from the victim and community’s perspective.
What is the referral process?
These programs have been established under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) for young people aged 12-17 years old. EJM is a Police referred program used to deal with a young person alleged to have committed an offence; EJS is a Crown Attorney referred program used to deal with a young person alleged to have committed an offence.