“Alberta Expands Youth Justice Committees”

A larger number of young individuals from Alberta facing legal issues may soon have the opportunity to rectify their actions without having to attend court hearings.

The province is broadening its network of youth justice committees, which collaborate with young offenders to assist them in acknowledging the harm they’ve caused and making reparations to the victim and community.

By doing so, they can bypass the sluggish and costly judicial process.

Additionally, upon successful completion of the program, they can avoid a criminal charge for the offense.

Insp. Kevin Forsen from the Calgary Police Service’s social policing section remarked, “It’s not a free pass and it’s hard work. This opportunity allows individuals to avoid a lifetime burden for one regretful decision.”

Youth aged 12 to 17, with either their first or second offense that isn’t a severe criminal act like murder or sexual assault, can be referred by CPS to a committee.

The entire process is usually concluded within 120 days, a significant contrast to potentially over a year within the justice system.

Forsen highlighted that the majority of individuals who engage with youth justice committees tend not to reoffend in the short term. Data from the Calgary Police Service revealed that only around 12 percent of the 187 youth who completed the program in 2023 and 2024 had a subsequent negative police interaction or criminal charge within a year.

Reactivating Closed Committees

In Calgary, local police collaborate with the Calgary Youth Justice Society to redirect eligible youth.

The organization has been managing youth justice committees for nearly thirty years and is now aiding in the province-wide expansion efforts. They are assisting in establishing new committees where necessary and enhancing existing ones across the province.

Historically, Alberta had the highest number of youth justice committees in the country. At its peak, there were approximately 130 committees operating throughout Alberta, according to Adjoa Chintoh-Silva, program director at the Calgary Youth Justice Society. However, many closed down or merged during the pandemic, leaving only 45 currently operating.

The aim is to increase this number, particularly in rural and northern Alberta communities.

Chintoh-Silva expressed, “The ultimate goal is to ensure that every eligible young person in Alberta has the opportunity to be diverted from the justice system.”

New committees have already been established in Chestermere, Medicine Hat, and Brooks.

The Calgary Youth Justice Society is actively seeking volunteers across Alberta to support the new committees.

Beneficial for Victims, According to Justice Studies Expert

Doug King, a justice studies professor at Mount Royal University, hailed the expansion as a “highly positive advancement.”

King noted that there is a stigma surrounding youth restorative justice measures but emphasized that research demonstrates the effectiveness of helping young offenders comprehend the harm they’ve caused and how to make amends.

He added that this approach is also more beneficial for victims compared to the conventional criminal justice system.