Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 01/02) - Community justice needs community support.

Janet Magrum, the John Howard Society's recently-minted co-ordinator for community justice, wants Yellowknifers to get involved in the innovative program.

"I've got about 13 volunteers right now, and I'd like to have about 30," said Magrum, who took on the job two months ago.

"I'm not worried about people burning out right now, but that could happen somewhere down the line," said Magrum.

Designed to divert offenders from criminal justice system, the community justice committee handles one client weekly.

Four members of the committee attend each session.

Offenders are referred to the committee by the RCMP. Magrum interviews each offender, and often will interview victims, family members and other interested parties before bringing the case to committee members.

"Then, between all of them, everyone works on an agreement," Magrum said.

A "broad range" of alternatives are available to the committee.

"We could go anywhere," said Magrum, "from writing a letter of apology, a public announcement, a personal apology to the victim, doing an interview with an inmate".

About 95 per cent of offenders in the program are youth. Persons charged with spousal assault, sexual assault, or other violent crimes are not eligible.

"We'll handle a simple assault, but that's about it," said Magrum. "Mostly it's thefts and mischief.

Yellowknife RCMP Sgt. Al McCambridge agrees the program is valuable.

"We're incredibly supportive of the program," said McCambridge, "from Commissioner all the way down to the feet-in-the-dirt officer on the beat."

McCambridge said several detachment members have been trained as facilitators for such programs.

From the police point of view, community justice not only keeps first-time offenders off the treadmill of the criminal justice system, it also provides a "forum that deals with healing for the victims, as well," said McCambridge.