Different youth issues are a frequent phenomenon in the modern world, which is why researchers and law representatives put much effort into creating various programs for youths. One such program is called Youth Justice Program (YJP), which aims to help youths suffering from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (Longstaffe et al., 2017). This paper examines that program and offers an alternate version of it, additionally analyzing the ways in which the alternative meets the specific needs of a particular demographic at risk. The YJP appears effective in accompanying youths during trials and post-custody periods, and the alternate program could focus on those youths currently in custody, following the principles of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. People working in law enforcement have been operating YJP for a long time. According to Longstaffe et al. (2017), the program was first initiated in 2006 in collaboration with several partners working in the same field, such as the FASD Center. YJP focuses on a particular demographic at risk, primarily targeting youths suffering from FASD and currently being in conflict with the law. The program’s primary goals are ensuring that the targeted group receives the necessary diagnostic services, providing recommendations to the judiciary, building capacity within families and communities, and implementing disciplinary interventions (Longstaffe et al., 2017). YJP appears to be efficient in its respective field, helping youths with legal issues, decreasing the chances for recidivism, and increasing the chances for rehabilitation. Based on the detailed analysis of the program, it can be suggested that YJP focuses on youths who have just come into conflict with the law and those in the post-custody period. An alternate version of this program could potentially focus on those youths suffering from FASD who are already in custody but yet to be released. The rationale for such a program refers to the necessity to ensure that youths in custody have been sentenced following the law and receive 2 medical attention to help them with FASD. YJP seems to perform effectively in terms of helping youths during the trials and post-custody period, but it is imperative to ensure safety and justice for those sentenced without the program’s involvement. However, YJP targets a specific demographic at risk, namely youths suffering from FASD who are currently in conflict with the law, which is why the alternate program needs to adjust. The most appropriate way to address that particular at-risk demographic is to establish the alternate program’s principles according to the federal policy called Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). According to Webster et al. (2019), this act is “the directness of “guidance” on administering the law” (p. 1107). Since the demographic group under discussion involves youths with legal issues, following the principles introduced by YCJA is the key to ensuring that all youth cases will be reviewed appropriately. Overall, it appears that YJP is primarily effective for working with youths during the trial and post-custody periods, which is why an alternate program based on YCJA’s principles could focus on youths in custody. It is essential to follow the guidelines established by YCJA as the demographic group at-risk of the initial program includes youths with legal issues coming in conflict with the law. The new program grounded on the standards established by YJP could demonstrate high performance and help youths with FASD deal with legal issues and go through custody properly.
References
Longstaffe, S., Chudley, A. E., Harvie, M. K., Markesteyn, T., Neault, D., & Brown, T. (2017). The Manitoba Youth Justice Program: Empowering and supporting youth with FASD in conflict with the law. Biochemistry and cell biology, 96(2), 260-266. Web.
Webster, C. M., Sprott, J. B., & Doob, A. N. (2019). The Will to Change: Lessons from Canada’s Successful Decarceration of Youth. Law & Society Review, 53(4), 1092-1131.