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Over the course of the past several months, contact was made with similar programs within Canada and the U.S. Specifically of interest were those programs using restorative justice approaches to address all those affected by crime. This information was gathered primarily to assist us in the future development of a volunteer component however, it became evident that CCC is distinct in significant ways.
CCC is one of the few programs that deal with more serious offences committed by youth . The police and courts in other areas appear reluctant to see any cases other than those most minor diverted from court and/or handled alternatively.
Few other programs have justice system involvement to the same degree as CCC. The ongoing support and guidance of Calgary
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Youth Court has been critical to the development of CCC. Probation officers, defense counsel and crown prosecutors recommend community conferencing following a guilty plea , and youth court judges accommodate these referrals prior to sentencing. Where other programs struggle for credibility and involvement with the formal justice system , CCC has created a meaningful and supportive alliance with Calgary Youth Court.
Similarly, the strong support demonstrated by the Calgary Board of Education has been instrumental in establishing community conferencing as an alternative to the more traditional school interventions such as suspensions and expulsions, and also diverts many incidents from the formal court system.
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Finally, the collaborative nature of CCC is quite unlike the structure of other programs. The six agencies represent community, education, and justice system perspectives. This organizational collective is the foundation of CCC. These diverse organizations provide guidance, financial resources, and administrative support. In addition, the contributions from the Calgary Community Lottery Board, Calgary Foundation, Alberta Justice, and the Federal Department of Justice, demonstrates the value of CCC from all levels of government and community based funders.
The interest shown in CCC from across Canada and the United States is very encouraging and exciting. Many people working in the justice and education system and also in the larger community are shifting their ideas about how to deal with crime.
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