Ontario is launching a new initiative to address the over-representation of marginalized, racialized and Indigenous people in the criminal justice system.
Three new community justice centres will open across the province as part of a pilot project, with the purpose to move justice out of the traditional courtroom and into a community setting to help connect individuals with support systems, the province said.
“For vulnerable young adults with a history of poverty, homelessness, and mental health or addictions issues, the justice system is often the first point of contact to access programs and services,” Attorney General Yasir Naqvi said in a statement.
“By providing this holistic approach, it is my hope that we can break the cycle of re-offending by addressing the root cause of the criminal behaviour.”
According to the ministry, young adults aged 18 to 25 years make up a significant proportion of criminal charges in London.
“A Youth-in-Transition Community Justice Hub will provide critical support to young adults aged 18-25, currently spiraling in London’s criminal justice system,” said Lise Maisonneuve, Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice.
“The London Police Service will be able to strengthen links with local health, mental health and addictions agencies, as well as continuing education and employment organizations to improve outcomes for young people,” she said.
One centre will open in London, while two others will open in Toronto and Kenora.
MPP for London North Centre, Deb Matthews hopes within the next couple of years the centres will not only be up and running, but they will also be able to analyze some of the outcomes.
“The experience in other jurisdictions has been that people are less likely to cycle back into the justice system, communities are safer, fewer people go to jail and it saves money,” said Matthews.
The centres will be the first of their kind in Ontario, and the second, third, and fourth in all of Canada — the first being in British Columbia.
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