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Understanding The Young Offenders Act: Rehabilitation vs Punishment Debate

Explore the implications of The Young Offenders Act of April 1984, focusing on rehabilitation over punishment for youth aged 12-18 with criminal offenses. Delve into rights under the Act, including free legal representation, privacy protection, and identity concealment. Learn about the 1986 amendment allowing naming of dangerous youth. Debate the Act's impact on the Canadian justice system – from confidentiality of records to community involvement in reconciliation and rehabilitation. Discuss varying opinions on treatment programs, sentencing, protected age limit, and public safety measures. Stephen Harper's proposal for stricter measures highlights the ongoing discussion on balancing rehabilitation and punishment. Do we need to prioritize one over the other? Share your thoughts.

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Understanding The Young Offenders Act: Rehabilitation vs Punishment Debate

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  1. The Young Offenders Act April 1984 National system for dealing with youth

  2. From 12 – 18 with offences from the criminal code

  3. The focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment

  4. What are your rights under the Young Offenders Act?? • A lawyer free of charge

  5. What are your rights under the Young Offenders Act?? • Right to privacy to keep youth records out of the criminal records

  6. What are your rights under the Young Offenders Act?? • youth’s identity charged or convicted or as a witness must be concealed

  7. What are your rights under the Young Offenders Act?? • 1986 amendment to act made exception to youth who are dangerous, can be named to protect community and help police make arrests

  8. What are your rights under the Young Offenders Act?? • Court and police records must be kept confidential (fingerprints and photographs must be destroyed after a crime free period)

  9. Within the aboriginal community... • The focus is still on reconciliation and rehabilitation, however, not only are lawyers and judges involved but so are band members, chiefs and elders.

  10. Debate over Young Offenders Act • Not enough treatment programs or community resources to guide youths • Treated to leniently and need stricter sentencing to discourage other youth crime • lower the protected age to 14 • More personal responsibility, increased law enforcement and heavier sentencing?? • Max prison time for murder – 5 years

  11. Stephen Harper’s proposalSeptember 22, 2008 The new law on young offenders will state that a primary goal of the legislation is to protect society, and that a primary goal of sentencing is to discourage others from committing crimes.  The new legislation will provide automatic, stiffer sentences for persons 14 and older convicted of serious and violent crimes such as murder and manslaughter.  Upon conviction, the names of persons 14 and older who commit such crimes will be made public.  The law will also make it easier for prosecutors to apply for pre-trial detention of youth charged with violent crimes, in order to protect the public.

  12. Is rehab enough or do we need to increase the punishment? Choose a side an write about it…. What do you think????

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