"The most
important goal of any young offender program is to reduce or prevent further criminal
activity." (Effective Young Offender Program Design, Adam
Lodzinski,
Ph.D.)
Cognitive-based programs work. The
Ministry of Community and Social Services has funded research that strongly supports the
position that cognitive-based programming is the best tool for positive change in young
offenders' behaviour.
(Review of the Profile, Classification and Treatment Literature with
Young Offenders: A Social-Psychological Approach by Andrews, Leschied and Hoge is one such
definitive study.)
- As directed by the Ministry, direct operated facilities incorporate
cognitive theory into all of its program activities. Our application of cognitive-based
programming is consistent across the Ministry's own facilities and provides baseline
standards for our colleagues in the transfer payment sector.
- The Ministry's program direction reflects the elements of recognized
successful rehabilitation programs in other jurisdictions and is in keeping with the
"what works" literature relied upon in our field. For example, the program being
piloted and touted in Florida by Attorney General, Harry
Shorstein, includes the
components currently practiced in the Ministry's own facilities: education, victim
awareness, life skills, anger management, substance abuse prevention, recreation and
leisure skills. The Florida experiment also speaks to the importance of intense
programming and strong role models.
"The staff of DOE facilities are the backbone of the system.
We set up training programs for transfer payment agency staff. We train them in the latest
techniques on how to handle aggressive kids, for example. DOE staff can be utilized in
this way because we have the experience." Angelo Mosca Jr., Arrell Youth
Centre
"In secure custody facilities like ours, there is the
opportunity for some pretty serious incidents. But I've only done two physical restraints
in the past 10 years. I'm proud of that record because it says that as staff we're well
enough trained to use other methods." Terry
Thorhauge, William E. Hay
Setting the standard through Ministry facilities is a
well-known fact in Ontario's young offender residential services. The Ministry has the
ability to establish parameters for program focus and methodology. Furthermore, direct
accountability ensures stability, consistency and program integrity.
- The Ministry may experience difficulties when it attempts to implement
new program direction in the transfer payment sector if it is not clearly within the
parameters of a service contract, differs from the agency's program philosophy or is
identified as requiring increased resources. This kind of change could mean the contract
being re-opened or re-negotiated. This process is neither cost-effective nor
time-efficient.
There is room for improvement in our system. Voices from
Within points to the urgent need for family involvement and after care programs. We
agree.
- Family involvement currently occurs in Ontario through the Plan of Care
process during incarceration but the resources for after-care have not been reintroduced
in a consistent way since the end of the Juvenile Delinquent's Act. Direct operated
facilities are an ideal foundation for rebuilding an aftercare program (for those not
under Court order) toward a seamless, ecological model of services.
- The province's direct link for tracking young offenders is through staff
in Ministry operated facilities and in probation. Statistical information on young
offenders in Ontario is gathered through the Young Offender Services Information System
(YOSIS) and is available to staff only in direct operated facilities. This system enables
the Ministry to collect data and monitor service delivery and it facilitates statistical
evaluation of program area strengths and weaknesses, contributing to program development.
"…It's pretty scary, given what has happened out of the
Voices (from Within) report … that the Advocate is saying kids needs aren't being
heard, aren't being addressed. Because we have access to YOSIS services, I can access
right away to find out what the kids needs are, and act upon them, rather than waiting to
have it sent …." Cindy
Shewfelt, Maurice H. Genest Detention Centre for
Youth
Front-line staff is the most valuable resource in children's
services. There are three elements of successful service and program delivery for
children in our facilities: building meaningful and trusting relationships; high quality,
supportive and consistent programs; stability in staffing. All of these elements are
supported by the findings of the Advocate's office in her report, Voices from Within.
- We're in it for the long haul and our experience and education shows it.
We have a solid knowledge base that we are constantly expanding on. We integrate new
findings from research in order to improve programs.
- Institutional settings present challenges to both workers and employers.
Locked, around the clock operations, differ significantly from other workplaces - stress
levels are higher and there is a real need for an open and cooperative work environment.
Unlike some institutional services and transfer payment residential settings, Ministry
operated Phase One young offender facilities have a history of comparatively good labour
relations. This has allowed front-line staff to focus on the children we are charged with
caring for, in a focused and productive way.
- The low staff turnover in direct operated facilities is no coincidence.
It is the result of good wages and benefits, comparatively healthy work environments and a
voice and role in the workplace. There are dramatic variances in the transfer payment
sector. In some agencies, staff turnover is as high as 50 per cent.
- A stable workforce is critical to the smooth functioning of our
workplaces and is part of an effective and efficient use of resources. The facility can
direct its resources to program improvement instead of training new staff. Job stability
is fiscally responsible when viewed in terms of program delivery and its impact on
recidivism.
- Directly operated young offender facilities are staffed by experienced,
career-oriented youth workers. They are the sources of expertise for the "Train the
Trainer" sessions which are being used in the development and cost-effective delivery
of young offender programs in transfer payment agencies and in Ministry operated
facilities.
Our conclusion:
Ministry operated facilities are the building block to improve and
develop an integrated and seamless delivery system for young offenders. Because we are the
last open door, it is essential that our services remain stable, consistent and open to
positive development. If the Ministry is looking forward and is sincere in its desire to
help the young people we work with, it will maintain direct operated facilities and draw
on the strengths of its own system. To do otherwise is to risk losing your most important
resource.
Go to Compliance with the Young
Offender Services Manual | Return to Main Young Offenders
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