Services Overview
YRAP performs many legal functions including sentencing recommendations, extrajudicial sanctions, judicial interim releases, treatment plans, supervision of community service with probation orders, and mediation. It also has an active role in the community, supporting other youth initiatives, promoting education and engagement of youth as well as creating awareness and public discussion surrounding youth-related issues. YRAP collaborates with a variety of governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Together with the support of lawyers, social workers, law enforcement officers, teachers, youth workers, scholars, concerned citizens, and other members of the community, YRAP is empowered to use restorative justice measures to repair harm and reduce further involvement with the criminal justice system
Together with the support of lawyers, social workers, law enforcement officers, teachers, youth workers, scholars, concerned citizens, and other members of the community, YRAP is empowered to use restorative justice measures to repair harm and reduce further involvement with the criminal justice system
Sentencing
Once a young person has been found to be guilty of an offence, YRAP will convene a panel to gather information and makes recommendations for constructive and appropriate consequences. YRAP typically offers to follow up with the recommendations via mentorship, support, connecting youth with other agencies etc.
Extrajudicial Sanctions
The extrajudicial sanctions program is an alternative to the traditional court process for young people who qualify. Typically, referrals are given to those charged with minor offences, who have no prior criminal record, or who have admitted to their role in their offences. YRAP will convene a panel, create the sanctions and oversee the completion. EXJS tends to have a timeline of 3 to 4 months.
Interim Release (Bail)
YRAP will gather information about the young person’s life and make recommendations on what conditions could be put on the release in order to give the young person the best chance of success.
Panels
Those who take part in the YRAP process will attend a “conference” where they will meet with a youth panel and possibly the victim of their offences to discuss their personal circumstances as well as possible consequences. Panels provide youth with an opportunity to share their voice in a safe environment, while also considering how a victim may have been affected by their actions. YRAP uses a holistic, strengths-based approach and is a voluntary process.
In all cases, YRAP offers one-to-one mentorship for the duration of the young person’s involvement in YRAP. Continued involvement allows for the young person to have a stable individual in their lives who is able to assist them in the court system as well as with any other issues that undermine their stability.
In all cases, YRAP offers one-to-one mentorship for the duration of the young person’s involvement in YRAP. Continued involvement allows for the young person to have a stable individual in their lives who is able to assist them in the court system as well as with any other issues that undermine their stability.