I. Description of John Howard Society services and programs for youth

Prevention services provided by the John Howard Society focus mainly on program and community awareness presentations geared to educate on or about the criminal justice system.

At the primary level, programs target early prevention through presentations to school and youth organizations. Examples of these initiatives included: Community Education programs (Newfoundland); Choices - School Education/Prevention program re: Drugs/Alcohol/Crime (British Columbia); Public Legal education Programs (Alberta); Public Education Program (Saskatchewan); Services to Youth (Manitoba); Primary Prevention presentations (Ontario); Accent on Youth (New Brunswick); Criminal Justice Education Programs (Nova Scotia); and Community Awareness Programs (Prince Edward Island).

At the secondary level, programs are geared toward youth at risk of entering the criminal justice system. Examples of these services include: Intrusive Children's Program (British Columbia); Work Orientation Workshops (Alberta); Youth Employment Service/Housing and Outreach Program (Ontario); Violence Preventions Initiatives (Ontario); Choices (Ontario), RISE UP Program (Ontario); and General Assistance Programs (New Brunswick).

The tertiary level provides programs and services to discourage recurrence and promote a positive reintegration for youths who have come into contact with the youth criminal justice system. Programs include: Services to Youth Offenders (Northwest Territories); Youth Services Program (Newfoundland); Summerside Youth Employment Services (Prince Edward Island); Intensive Day Programs for Young Offenders (Saskatchewan); Anger Management (Alberta and Ontario); Transition Program (British Colombia); Headstart (British Columbia); and Self-Management (Ontario).

The John Howard Society provides residential facilities for youth, as well as supportive community based programs. Residences provide supportive home environments for youth. These supervised facilities also focus on educational and lifeskills programs. Examples of these residences included: Hobden House (British Columbia); Birchy House (Newfoundland); Bea Phillips House (New Brunswick); Howard House (Alberta); The Red Deer Youth Residential Centre (Alberta); St. John's Group Home for Youth (Newfoundland); and Discovery Centre Program (British Colombia).

Community based programs provide services including counselling, supervision, reconciliation, advocacy, and mediation. Advocacy services address such needs as employment, housing, access to social services and legal services. Mediation services support young people who have come in contact with the criminal justice system to meet with their victims to learn about the consequences of their crime and of taking a more accountable position regarding their crime. Examples of community based programs across Canada include: Attendance Centre Program (Ontario); Transportation Program (Alberta); Youth Alcohol and Drug Services (British Columbia); Intensive Day Programs for Young Offenders (Saskatchewan); Y.E.C.C. and Futures (Ontario); Courtwork Program (British Columbia); Youth Advocacy and mediation Services (Alberta); Independent Living Program (British Colombia); Victim-Witness Preparation Program (Ontario); and Street Support Groups (New Brunswick).

Diversion/Alternative measures attempt to direct youth away from the criminal justice system by providing non-criminal alternatives to formal prosecution. The measures offer alternatives both prior to (pre) and following (post) criminal justice proceedings. Programs offered across Canada include: Fine Options (Northwest Territories); Community Service Hours (Northwest Territories); NAB - Neighbourhood Accountability Board (British Columbia); Victim/Young Reparation Program (British Colombia); Community Service Supervision (New Brunswick); Community Options Program (Ontario); Fine Option Program (Manitoba); Youth Mediation Program (Saskatchewan); Young Offender Community Development Project (Nova Scotia); Shoplifting program (Alberta); Community Service Order Program (Ontario); and stop - Lift Education Programs (Saskatchewan).