The Young Offenders Act, Its Implementation and Related Services: A Child Welfare Perspective

BRIEF PRESENTED TO
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

"The Young Offenders Act, Its Implementation and Related Services:
A Child Welfare Perspective"

September 15, 1995

Presented by the:
CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE OF CANADA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

PART 1:

YOUTH CRIME: BROADENING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM

Rates and Types of Crime Perpetrated by Youth
The Public's (Mis)Perception of the Problem
The Federal Government's Own Response: "Toughening Up" the YOA
An Inadequate Federal Response: The Problem Lies Outside the YOA
Implications of a Corrections Oriented Response

Corrections Oriented Responses Ignore Root Causes of Youth Crime
Harsh, Correctional Measures Do Not Deter Crime
Correctional Measures May Create Criminals (The Social Costs)
The Financial Costs of Correctional Measures

The CWLC Advocates a More Effective Approach to Preventing Youth Crime
PART II:
- PROVEN STRATEGIES IN YOUTH CRIME PREVENTION
- International Developments in Crime Prevention
- Developments Here In Canada
- A Starting Points/Prevention Programs that Work
- Primary Prevention Programs
  - Yale Child Welfare Research Program
  - Syracuse University Family Development Research Program
  - HighScope\Perry Preschool
  - University of Rochester Home Visitation Program
  - Primary Prevention Initiatives in Canada
    - Moncton Head Start
    - Better Beginnings\Better Futures
- Secondary Prevention Programs
  - Oregon Social Learning Centre Program
  - Secondary Prevention Initiatives in Canada
  - Tremblay and Vitaro
  - Earlscourt Child and Family Centre's Under 12 Outreach Project
- Tertiary Prevention Programs
  - Implementation of the YOA in Quebec
  - The EMIP Pilot Project
- Supporting Families Saves Money in the Long Term
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
END NOTES