Digitized Theses and Dissertations
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Browsing Digitized Theses and Dissertations by Supervisor "Anglin, James P."
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Item No exceptions: the right to be treated with dignity and respect in youth custody facilities in British Columbia(1999) Jobe, Monica Carina; Anglin, James P.The youth justice system in British Columbia historically has been kept separate from all other child, youth and family serving systems. The integration of all these systems by the creation of the Ministry for Children and Families necessitates a major shift in focus and philosophy within youth justice in order to implement this ministry's youth-centered, integrated approach to service delivery. The transfer of administrative responsibility from the Ministry of the Attorney General to the Ministry for Children and Families set up an expectation for change and improvement in services for youth in custody. This study uses a case study approach to determine if this transfer of administrative responsibility has had a discernible effect on services to youth in custody and the honouring of their right to be treated with dignity and respect in practice. A particular youth detention facility in British Columbia was selected for study. The perspectives of key participants were obtained and analysed as to the barriers and opportunities for ensuring that this right is honoured. The findings of what participants discussed is occurring in practice in youth custody was compared to provincial, national and international legislation and conventions to evaluate how well Canada is meeting its commitment to treating youth in custody with dignity and respect. The findings of this study indicate that the formation of the Ministry for Children and Families has created a number of opportunities to better ensure that youth in custody are treated with dignity and respect including: integrated case management; separation from the adult system; a youth-centered ministry; a flatter hierarchical stucture within the ministry; and a better understanding and connection with other youth services. However, many barriers still exist which can not be addressed by only a transfer in responsibility from one ministry to another. These barriers include overcrowding at the youth custody centre; a lack of resources and programs to develop a full continuum of services for young offenders; public and judicial focus on punitive measures and denunciation; and youth having to serve custody time far away from home. The study concludes with a discussion of the implications of these barriers and opportunities in practice, limitations of the study and the implications for policy and research.