Funding For Gladue Program In Northern Ontario

Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation is launching a Gladue report program thanks to funding from Legal Aid Ontario.
The funding will allow the organization hire three Gladue report writers in Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay and Timmins.
Courts use these reports to consider alternatives to incarceration of aboriginal accused, such as restorative justice initiatives and other community-based aboriginal programs.
Thomas says they want to focus their judgments on healing.
He adds the Gladue workers will be instrumental in reducing the number of accused held in pre-trial custody.
Thomas says the Supreme Court of Canada has been calling for the need of the reports and asking courts to ask for the information before delivering a sentence.