The
forum opened with an address by Mayor Don Cousens who pointed
out the importance of this forum in informing the public and
deepening their understanding of how Correctional Services and
the Parole Board work, thus strengthening the communication
between the government and the people.
Dr. Ken Ng, Chairman
of FCCM, then outlined the work of his association, adding that
it was a privilege for FCCM to participate in this educational
forum for the Chinese community.
The forum was chaired
by Mr. Donald G. Evans, former Ontario ADM Solicitor General,
while the panel was made up of representatives of the different
levels and bureaus of the justice system. Present in the morning
session were Mr. Stuart Betts (York Regional Police), Mr. Robert
McCreary (Crown Attorney), Mr Justice William Gorewich (Court
of Justice Ontario) and Ms. Janet Leiper (Defense lawyer). Starting
with the justice system before sentencing, they explained the
process that took place on arrest of an offender, collection
of evidence, presentation to the prosecuting attorney, arraignment,
prosecution in court, judgement and sentencing.
Following this,
Mr. Joshua Driscoll of Community Safety and Correctional Services,
Ms. Shandy-Lynn Briggs of Correctional Services, and Ms. Nancy
Willis of the Parole Board spoke on the after-sentencing procedures.
Correctional Services, though without the power to change sentences,
would work out a plan that best fit the offender in question,
with the aim of rendering this person least risky to the community
on his or her return to society after serving the sentence.
In accordance with Canadian law, an offender could be paroled
after serving a part of the sentence and be placed under the
jurisdiction of the Parole Board. The parolee would be recommitted
to prison should he or she lapse into crime again. The panel
stressed that the purpose of correctional services and parole
was to facilitate the offender’s return to society and
cutting down his or her risk to the community.
Aided by a video
film, Dr. Robin Wilson of Correctional Services presented a
case study of how a high-risk offender was rendered safe to
return to the community. The sex offender in the video talked
on how the Correctional Services and volunteers had helped him
out of his pit, allowing him to be saved from a further life
of crime. He was especially grateful to the volunteers, without
whom he would not have been able to come back to society..
Dr. Wilson pointed
out that for an offender to start a new life and return to society,
the acceptance by the community and the support of volunteers
in the rehabilitation plans were of major importance and value.
Before breaking
for lunch, student representatives of Unionville High School
presented a detailed study on youth alcoholism, illegal drag
racing, and euthanasia. Students of Middlefield High School
acted out a skit on prejudice, fully showing the creativity
and co-operation of our young people.
After lunch, three individual study forums were arranged. The
subjects were “Youth Criminal Justice Act”, “Return
of High-risk Offenders into Society”, and “Community
Safety Procedures of the York Regional Police”.
Lastly, an open
forum was held on Responsible Justice: Who is responsible for
justice in the community. Mr. Armand La Barge (Chief of Police
of York Region), Ms. Therese Leblanc (Correctional Services),
Mr. Justice Howard Chisvin (Ontario Court of Justice), Mr. Bill
Hogarth (York Board of Education), Mr. Rusty Beauchesne (Federal
Parole Board), Ms. Nancy Wright (Ontario Parental Support Association),
Ms. Susan Eng (Solicitor and Media Analyst), and Ms. Irene Mahdavi
(Unionville High School student) all expressed the necessity
of the co-operation of the different units of society for the
success of justice administration. The police, correctional
services, parents, education, students, members of the public,
volunteers, etc. must all work closely together to bring offenders
to justice, then re-educate and retrain them so that they could
return to society as law-abiding citizens.
Dr. Ken Ng said
that this forum had been an invaluable experience. The whole
day’s activities had been videoed and would be broadcasted
over the Rogers network (Ch 63 and ch 10) starting at the end
of April. FCCM will have a copy that can be borrowed. Please
watch out for further information.
Conference
Highlights for March 27, 2004
( Markham Civic Centre – Free Admission and Open to Public
)
1. The Opening Panel Discussion:
( 9:00am – 12:00noon )
An overview
of the criminal justice system will involve a police officer,
a crown attorney, a judge, a victim, a provincial probation
officer, a federal corrections officer, a federal victim assistant
parole person.
There will
then be a session on the Re-integration of High Risk Offenders.
Thereafter
will be presentations from students from Unionville and Middlefield
high schools.
Lunch
Break & MEDIA Session ( 12:00noon – 1:00pm )
2.
Three Breakout Sessions:
( 1:00pm – 3:00pm )
- Youth
Criminal Justice Act
- York
Regional Police Community Policing Policy.
- Managing
High Risk Offenders in the Community
( Attendees
get to take part in any two of the three sessions. )
3.
The Closing Panel Discussions
( 3:00pm – 4:00pm )
The
subject: Responsible Justice! Who is responsible for
justice in the community.
A brochure
will be available at the registration desk.
Young people
from the "Mayors Youth Task Force" will serve as ushers,
work on the registration desk and handle the guests.
PARTICIPANTS:
Moderator
Donald G. Evans
Former ADM Solicitor General, Ontario
OPENING
PANEL:
Overview of the Criminal Justice System
Stuart Betts
Police Constable
York Regional Police Service
Robert McCreary,
Crown Attorney, York Region.
Judge, Ontario
Provincial Court
Janet Leiper,
Barrister
Joshua Driscoll
Probation & Parole Officer
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Shandy-Lynn
Briggs
Correctional Services Canada
Nancy Willis,
Regional Communications Officer,
National Parole Board of Canada
Jane Doe
Victim
CLOSING
PANEL:
Responsible
Justice!
Who is responsible for justice in the Community.
Armand La
Barge
Chief, York Regional Police Service
Don Head
Senior Deputy Commissioner
Correctional Service of Canada
Mr. Justice
Ford Clements
Judge, Ontario Provincial Court
Bill Hogarth
Director of Education
York Regional District School Board
Rusty Beauchesne.
Member, National Parole Board
Nancy Wright,
Parent
Association Parent Support Groups Ontario
Susan Eng
Lawyer and media commentator.
Irena Mahdavi
Student, Grade 11
Unionville High School, Markham, ON
ADDITIONAL
SESSIONS:
Immediately
after the Opening Panel Discussion there will be a presentation
by Dr. Robin Wilson, Chief Psychologist, Correctional Service
Canada, Ontario Region.
Dr. Wilson
will do a presentation on High Risk Offenders and their re-integration
into the community. He will be the only person but he will make
considerable use of visuals.
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