» Justice Literacy Indicator | Membership | JHS Saskatchewan



Justice Literacy Indicator
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Through our programs and services, we work to prevent crime and to help people affected by crime. We provide direct services to victims, accused persons and offenders and provide public education, advocacy and criminal justice reform services for the community of Regina and surrounding areas.
Mission Statement
The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan is an independent voluntary organization composed of citizens who accept responsibility for understanding and dealing with the problems of crime and the criminal justice system in a creative, humane and progressive manner. The Society fulfils this responsibility through reform, advocacy, direct service and public education.
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Core Values
  1. People have the right to live in a safe and peaceful society and the responsibility to ensure humane consequences when this right is infringed.
  2. Every person has intrinsic worth and must be treated with dignity, equality, fairness and compassion by the community and the justice process.
  3. All people have the potential to become responsible citizens.
  4. Every person has the right and responsibility to be informed about, and involved in, the criminal justice process.
  5. Justice is best served through measures that resolve conflicts, repair harm and restore peaceful relations in society.
  6. Only through independence can volunteer organizations have a vital role in the justice system.
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Objectives
Without limiting the generality of its primary objective, the subsidiary objectives of the Society are:
  1. To assist persons convicted of criminal offences in their efforts to re-establish themselves;
  2. To assist persons victimized in criminal incidents to remedy any harm suffered;
  3. To assist young persons identified as participants in criminal experience in pursuing legitimate lifestyles;
  4. To assist families of offenders and victims;
  5. To seek to remove conditions that contributes to the development of criminal lifestyles;
  6. To work for just legislation and criminal justice practices;
  7. To work with all agencies of the criminal justice system and other concerned organizations in the pursuit of shared goals;
  8. To work toward the development of public awareness of the objectives and concerns of the Society through public education and information programs.
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Services
We provide assistance to all persons involved, either directly or indirectly with the Criminal Justice System.

Services offered in Regina include:
» Institution/Visitation Program
  This program establishes a base of community support for those who are serving time in either a provincial or federal correctional facility. The objective of the Institution/Visitation program is to aid the incarcerated, where possible, in managing pre-offence commitments and eventual planning for release. Release planning might include assistance with application for educational/employment programs, acquiring job search and readiness skills, as well as a variety of other requests, which may be presented by the incarcerated person and/or his family.
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» The Community Program
  This program provides support services to people released from institutions as they endeavor to re-establish themselves in the community. We provide assistance/direction and advocate for those who may currently be "caught up" in the justice system (i.e., managing current charges and court dates). The program also serves as a referral service to those in the community with specific needs such as family counseling, anger management, addiction control, debt management, educational development and assistance to victims of crime, and offers assistance and provides information in preparing pardons and bonding concerns.
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» A Crime Prevention Program for Elementary School Students
  This program is aimed at reducing the likelihood of children becoming involved in criminal activity such as shoplifting and vandalism. It is our belief that crime can be reduced through educational programs that address social issues such as peer pressure, shoplifting and vandalism. We work with grades 3 to 6 students and their teachers, offering each classroom four (4) - 1-hour Crime Prevention modules.
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» Adult Placement Services
Fine Option Program
  This program offers an alternative to the payment of a fine by providing an individual with the option of working a fine off through volunteer service. This work is performed at a non-profit, charitable, community based organization. Upon completion of the required hours, the Court is notified and the fine is considered paid.
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» Adult Placement Services
Adult Community Service Order Program
  This is a formal Court Order that requires the responsible party to perform a specified number of community service hours. Cash payment is not an option unless the sentencing judge overturns the order. The courts use this type of order as an alternative to incarceration and as a condition of probation.
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» Young Offender Extrajudicial Sanctions Programs
Young Offender/Victim Mediation Services
  This program focuses on the restoration of good relations between the youth and victim and enables participants to explore issues of accountability, the impact of their behaviours on others, the needs of the victim and youth as well as their rights and responsibilities as members of the community. Agreements arising out of the process allow youth to make amends to victims and address the issues, which may contribute to recidivism.
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» Young Offender Extrajudicial Sanctions Programs
Stop-Lift
  This program is designed specifically for young people, between the ages of 12 - 17 years, who have been charged with shoplifting under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The primary focus of the program is educational, using a structured group process. The aim of the one-day educational session is two-fold: (1) to create awareness in the young person of the effects of his or her actions on, the victim, themselves, the community, and society at large. (2) to provide an opportunity for the youth to reflect on his or her development, discuss values and issues such as self-esteem, peer pressure and decision-making skills.
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» Young Offender Extrajudicial Sanctions Programs
Youth Community/Personal Service Order Program
  Upon conviction of an offence, youth are ordered by the Youth Court Judge to work a number of hours (maximum being 240 hours) at a designated non-profit agency in the community. The responsibility of the John Howard Society is to administer the program, assign the youth to a suitable agency and to report to the Department of Corrections and Public Safety (CPS) as to each youth's progress.
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» Young Offender Extrajudicial Sanctions Programs
The Next Step Program
  This program is an alternative to custody for youth 16 to 19 years of age that are neither attending school or employed. The average length of the program is 90 days, but may be extended depending on the youth's needs. The program offers youth a means to learn the skills necessary to plan to return to school or to obtain employment and of primary importance, to avoid further conflict with the law.
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LITERACY ASSESSMENT AND AWARENESS PROJECT PHASE I, II, III AND IV
Funding for this project provided by the National Literacy Secretariat

In Phase I (Instrument Development) we constructed and field-tested a reliable literacy indicator called the Justice Literacy Indicator (JLI). This indicator tool is able to determine one's literacy level by testing an individual's reading ability based on the pronunciation of a list of twenty justice-related words. A score is determined from the amount of words read and pronounced correctly. That score is then compared to the Examiner's Chart that determines what grade level the individual who took the test is at. At the very least, the JLI will determine the level of assistance necessary to help the individual get through the complicated processes and procedures of the Justice System. Further, the JLI provides an assessment tool from which adult education and community-based literacy upgrading can be prescribed to those experiencing literacy problems in order to provide empowerment, to deter recidivism rates from rising while all along ensuring the right to understand is protected.

In Phase II (Community Development) we developed a program of on-site public education for workers in the justice and human services systems. This program markets the JLI, trains interested parties in its use and presents important justice literacy issues.

In Phase III we promoted awareness about the JLI and JLW (Justice Literacy Workshop) in the justice and human service sectors and implemented the JLI in several pilot projects in the legal system. We are focussing our attention at the front end of the justice system for workshop promotion and delivery and the piloting of the JLI. We are looking for a "good fit" for the JLI in the legal process.

In Phase IV, the JLW and the accompanying workbook and CD-ROM are being upgraded, marketed and distributed as an educational product for the professional development of justice and human service practitioners. We are busy pursuing new markets for the JLI outlining pilot projects that will bring the JLI into use as a part of the charging and pre-trial process.
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JUSTICE LITERACY
The Enhancement and Enrichment of Products and Services for the Justice Literacy Workbook/Indicator (JLW/JLI).

With Funding from the National Literacy Secretariat we have enhanced and enriched the first edition of the JLW/JLI Workbook. Using current technologies we have established a Justice Literacy Website, which provides new statistics and a more contemporary educational product for the justice and human service community.

The Justice Literacy Website
http://www.justiceliteracy.org

What you'll find:
  1. An enhanced and updated version of the first edition of the Justice Literacy Workbook and Justice Literacy Indicator (JLW/JLI).
  2. Using current technology you will be guided through a brief introduction to, What is Justice Literacy and Why it's Important.
  3. Take the Justice Literacy Interactive Workshop, which provides current information related to justice and have printable access to the Justice Literacy Indicator (JLI).
  4. Click onto the link to the JLI form and check out the Audio Links for each of the twenty (20) words, as well as an easy to follow guide on how to administer the JLI reading test.
  5. Additionally, there are printable PDF files for both the Instructor's and Learner's Workbooks.
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JOHN HOWARD WEEK
Each year we have a week in February proclaimed as "John Howard Week" by the Office Of the Mayor - City of Regina and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General Provincial Government.

The John Howard Society and Saint Valentine's Day

A number of charitable organizations have a special time set aside each year to showcase their programs and services, and to raise needed support for these activities to continue. The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan has found such a time in February, to focus attention on its work, during the week that also celebrates St. Valentine's Day. History tells us that the first Valentine ever sent actually originated back in ancient Rome and had a corrections/justice connection.

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries.

Legend has it that the priest, while awaiting execution, formed a friendship with the daughter of the jailor, who allowed her to visit Saint Valentine. He wrote a farewell message to her on the eve of his death, thanking her for her friendship and loyalty, and signed it "Love from your Valentine".

The Flammian gate, where he was executed, then became known as Porto Valentina and later Porto Popolo. He was buried in what is now the church of Praxedes in Rome, where it is said that a pink almond tree, a symbol of abiding love, blossomed near his grave.

Other aspects of the story say that St. Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. Sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers marked the date and there was often a social gathering or a ball.
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CRIME PREVENTION AWARD
In 1989 the Regina Council created the John Howard Society Crime Prevention Award. This Award symbolizes the preventative work of the grassroots community who deal in an operative way to address the chief causes of crime - poverty and alienation. The Award is presented to community groups and organizations whose focus is towards non-violence, conciliation, reconciliation, and community responsibility to crime and its consequences.

Past recipients have been:

1989 Crisis Management Services - Co-ordination of Services to Prostitutes Program
1990 Regina Mental Health Clinic - Alternatives to Violence Program
1991 Regina Native Youth Community Centre - TAPWE-CI
1992 Not Awarded
1993 The Circle Project
1994 The Regina Police Service School Resource Program
1995 The Regina Council on Social Development
1996 Street Workers Advocacy Project
1997/2001 Not Awarded
2002 Regina Police Community Cadet Corps Program
2003 MacKenzie Art Gallery Urban Youth Outreach Program
2004 Al Ritchie Community Association
2005 North Central Family Centre
2006 Rainbow Youth Centre


The John Howard Society Crime Prevention Award is presented at the "Week Without Violence Peace Makers Breakfast" sponsored by YWCA and the Community Partnership Against Crime. The breakfast is held each year in October. If you would like more information or to nominate an organization or group, please contact the John Howard Society Regina at 757-6657.
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VOLUNTEERS/PRACTICUM
Volunteers/Practicum are involved with both the administration and program/services of the organization. Volunteers assist in fundraising initiatives, organizing various community workshops, in-service workshops for staff and board, and the ongoing promotion of the John Howard Society. We also work with various Education and Training Programs bringing practicum students into our work place.
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ORGANIZATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS, FORMAL AND INFORMAL AFFILIATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
We have both Provincial and National affiliations. We are tied constitutionally with a provincial organization and have a consultative relationship with other provincial John Howard Societies within a national federated body.

We work with a wide variety of organizations both government and non-government in nature, including: Regina City Police, Departments of Justice, Social Services, Corrections and Public Safety, Education, and Health, Catholic and Public School Boards/divisions, as well as several Educational Institutes, Canada Employment Centre and many human service agencies and businesses within the community.
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CONTACT US
The John Howard Society Regina
2332 - 11th Avenue
Regina, SK S4P 0K1
Phone: (306) 757- 6657
Fax: (306) 347- 0707
E-mail: jhs.regina@sasktel.net

You can also locate us at our websites:

The John Howard Society Regina
www.regina.johnhoward.ca

The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan
www.sk.johnhoward.ca

The John Howard Society of Canada
www.johnhoward.ca
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