Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 18/02) - There are many underlying issues, experts say, that contribute to youth crime, one of which is lack of education.

Two programs through the GNWT Department of Justice however ensures that young offenders have access to continuing education while serving their sentences.

The hope is through re-enforcement of the importance of education, once released, young offenders will have a positive focus.

The two programs are called secure and open custody training.

Secure training is for high-risk offenders and is done within the detention centre.

The open custody training is for low-risk offenders who are granted a little more freedom to attend school away from the detention centre.

The programs have been in existence since 1995. No data has been collected to determine if they have been effective in reducing cases of re-offending or if they have facilitated young offenders going back to school after their release.

But the programs provide for a seamless transition back to conventional schooling.

When a young offender is placed into the program the school they were attending is contacted in order to determine where they were in their schooling.

The same is true when the youth is released.

"That way the student doesn't miss out on any schooling," said Doug Friesen director of corrections for the Department of Justice.

"We ensure the youth maintain their education and if they haven't been going to school it is an excellent opportunity for them to get back into school."

The programs are controlled by the Department of Justice but is handled by Yellowknife Education District No. 1.

The teachers facilitating the young offenders education are answerable to both the Department of Justice and Yellowknife No.1 through principal Mieke Cameron at Sir John Franklin School.

The education program also fits in with other rehabilitation programs offered to young offenders such as drug and alcohol counselling.

"It's very positive we do our part while they are in the facility and encourage them when they leave," said Friesen.

The programs will be available in Yellowknife in the new corrections facility in January with 10 beds in the open custody program and 15 in the secure custody program.

Similar programs are also offered in Fort Smith, Inuvik and Hay River.