TASK 1 - GET FAMILIAR

Over the next few weeks you will be conducting a thorough examination of Canada’s youth criminal justice system.

STEP ONE: Get familiar with the website
Visit the Youth Justice website and complete the treasure hunt.

Teachers - the answer key is here!

STEP TWO: Get to know the Youth Criminal Justice Act 
In class you will be divided into groups.  Each group will be assigned a different part of the youth criminal justice system. 

This document tells you what your group should be able to explain.

The groups are:
  1. Extrajudicial Measures
  2. Judicial Measures
  3. Conferences
  4. Pre-Trial Detention
  5. Youth Sentences
  6. Adult Sentences
  7. Custody and Supervision

Use the following links to fill out your retrieval chart:
STEP THREE: Class Presentation

Working with your group members from the previous step, create a presentation based on the information from your section of YCJA Explained.  As you present, the rest of the class will record information from your presentation into their notes to assist with later projects; therefore, your presentation must be concise and precise. 
STEP FOUR: Get the full story
The following links open up the debate surrounding Canada’s youth criminal justice system.  Visit websites 1-3 and choose two websites from the list from number 4.  Complete the pro-con chart.
  • This website also explains some of the criticism that led to the development of the current Youth Criminal Justice Act.  It draws some interesting conclusions concerning the legislation and attitude of the administration.
    Justice Canada Monitor - young Offenders
  • These links are editorials and articles from various newspapers and blogspots across Canada criticizing the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

STEP FIVE:  Interview the Experts
As we gather information over the next few weeks, a panel of experts will be visiting our classroom to be interviewed by you and to provide insights on their experiences with Canada’s youth criminal justice system. These experts will range from judges, family resource workers, offenders, victims, policy makers, and representatives from various justice organizations.

To prepare for these experts, complete the preparation chart.  Following the presentations you will complete the summary and future wonderings chart.