New Young Offender Program Introduced

A support program is looking to get young offenders back on track in Northwestern Ontario.
The Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation is entering into a protocal with the Ontario Provincial Police.
As a part of the Restorative Justice Program, there are services available to help the accused get help before facing a charge.
Executive Director Celina Reitberger says the program encourages officers to issue a “pre-charge diversion”.
Reitberger says if young people can be diverted from the criminal justice system the moment they get involved, there’s a good chance they won’t reoffend.
Reitberger says they try to get to the root cause to find out why the behaviour is taking place, and what can be done to prevent that person from re-offending.
The program was introduced in Sioux Lookout on Wednesday.
Reitberger says this protocol is simillar to one they have with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.