Fossils, salmon cycles, and woodcarving are
all part of a unique youth enrichment
program, currently operating on the Queen
Charlotte Islands. The program is
‘Rediscovery,’ a three-year pilot project that
began in the summer of 1978 and is
scheduled to run through to the summer of
1980, ‘Rediscovery’ offers youths a
program that encourages a deeper
appreciation for the environment and
culture in which they live. The project ts
aimed at the thirteen to eighteen year olds,
both Haida and white, with special
emphasis on the native Haidas in Charlotte
City and Masset area.

Although funded by the Ministry of
Attorney General and the Solicitor General
of Canada, the program is completely
community based, administered by the
Haida Counselling and Legal Assistance
Society and managed by local citizens, The
Haida youths were re-introduced to their
ancestors’ lifestyle through outdoor living;
formal education was supplemented, new
skills were learned, and many youths gained
greater self-confidence.

In addition, the main objectives were
achieved, that is, resourcefulness,
responsibility, co-operation and friendship.
Many adults support the program and feel
that ‘Rediscovery’ is the most beneficial
youth program they have seen to date.

The federal Young Offenders Act was passed in
July 1982. A three-year period (1982-85)
followed for the federal and provincial
governments to make arrangements prior to
program implementation. Although some

provisions of the Young Offenders Act were not
proclaimed until 1985, the momentum of
previous provincial initiatives continued.

For example, a juvenile house arrest program
was established under contract with private

agencies. The program, which started in 1982,
was intended to house juveniles awaiting trial
and relieve pressure on the few secure facilities.

Because the Young Offenders Act provided for a
“principle of minimal intervention,” significant
resources were committed to develop
alternative measures (such as diversion
programs) in all regions of the province. Much
of this was done through contract with the
private sector following proclamation of
sections of the Young Offenders Act in 1985,
Community services, attendance programs and
residential programs emerged in all regions of
the province.

Of the many attempts to deal with the
ptoblems created by the lack of secure
placements for youth, the house arrest program
was one of the most unique, and allowed
compliant young offenders to stay home:

In Victoria, the House Arrest program
provided an alternative to placing youths in
custody while on remand. Selected youths,
who would otherwise be remanded in
custody, were placed on strict undertaking
in their own home or in private remand
homes. Three staff employed by the centre
visited youths in their residences at
unscheduled times to ensure that they were
abiding by the conditions of their remand
orders. Breaches resulted in youths being
placed in custody and appearing in court

within 24 hours, During 1982/83, a daily

9 Young Offenders Act, section 3(1)(d).

146

Corrections in British Columbia