Justice committee looks to public for answers
Maria Canton
Northern News Services
Inuvik (May 04/01) - Apathy among first-time offenders about their prescribed community service hours is one of the biggest problems facing the Inuvik Justice Committee, says the co-ordinator.
Soliciting solutions from the audience at a public meeting last week, John Nash emphasized that the situation is getting worse instead of better.
"A person needs a lot of support to get through community service hours, but there are a lot of people who don't even bother with it," said Nash.
Out of the 35 probation officer referrals the justice committee received between August 1999 and March 2001, only 18 people completed their community service hours, 10 did not and seven are still in progress.
Last year, the same public meeting produced feedback that resulted in the start of youth land programs in lieu of completing hours. Between September 2000 and March 2001, 68 youth successfully completed a land program.
But Nash didn't hide the fact that the problem still exists.
"Land camps have helped, but it is still a big problem," he said.
The eight people in attendance at Thursday's gathering, many of whom work in the justice system, had more questions than solutions to the problem.
Inquiries ranged from how many people re-offend while skipping out on community service hours to how far offenders get before giving up on the work.
Nash said most offenders didn't even bother starting their hours.
High school principal and executive board member Carson Atkinson was also at the meeting.
"Part of understanding the big picture is to be involved with groups like this," said Atkinson, who added that he never sits on committees that involve his students.
"I'm concerned for the kids and the long-term opportunities for them."
But despite some of the hurdles the committee faces, RCMP Cpl. Jeff Hurry said the programs are successful.
"Restorative justice is very important to the RCMP and it is effective because it is community-based," said Hurry, a member of the Inuvik detachment.
"If a person is successful with the (justice committee), they will not have a criminal record, they'll feel good about themselves for helping the community and the community, the committee and the RCMP will feel good that they were successful."
To be diverted to the justice committee, the offender cannot have a criminal record, must be remorseful, take responsibility, be willing to participate and have the victim's consent.
Hurry said thousands of dollars are saved by the governments and the RCMP when an offender is not put through the regular justice system.
