Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Coppermine (Feb 18/02) - Adults charged with minor criminal offences in Kugluktuk this spring will have the option of facing a community justice committee instead of a formal court.

Jenna Kamingoak, a member of Kugluktuk's justice committee, said the committee will begin taking adult cases from the RCMP in March.

"It's better for (offenders) to get the feedback from the community," said Kamingoak. "We'd rather have (offenders) stay in the community."

The justice committee has handled some young offenders cases before, but after a forum the weekend of Feb. 4, the committee is ready for adult offenders, said Cpl. Grant St. Germaine.

"The RCMP has a mandate for community justice when it's possible," said St. Germaine. "We required additional training."

First-time, very young and non-violent offenders will be referred by the police to the committee, said St. Germaine.

"There can be varying criteria," said St. Germaine. "Say if I punched you in the face -- it would go before the committee. If I broke your arm, we would go to the courts."

Offenders referred to the committee must admit their guilt and accept the consequences in order to stand before the two-person justice panel, according to an outline published by the hamlet.

Victims have the option of participating in the justice process. If they agree, those directly affected by the crime pass sentence.

The panel will only sentence an offender if the victim decides not to participate in the justice process.

The offender always has the option of dealing with a formal court.

Peter Taptuna, deputy mayor of Kugluktuk, said the committee's new responsibilities are welcome, aren't enough.

"We did not get what we expected," said Taptuna, who is pushing for a minimum-security prison in the community.

Taptuna said a prison would provide the community with an opportunity to provide homegrown programs for inmates, cutting down on their chances for re-offending.

"I think people in the community should run their own programs," said Taptuna.

He added that the community wants a prison but the federal and territorial governments are mute on the subject.