The John Howard Society of Regina (a branch of JHS of Saskatchewan)
is an independent voluntary organization composed of citizens who accept responsibility and 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.

An Institution/Visitation Program
This program establishes a base of community support for the inmates and attempts to aid planning which might include our office helping and inmate in applying for educational/employment programs, acquiring job search skills or providing counselling and/or information, to him or his family. Much of the counseling work with the inmate is centered around information which will allow him to plan for his life release and make his own contacts to achieve that plan.

The Community Program
This program provides support services to people released from institutions as they endeavor to re-establish themselves in the community. It also serves those who have been in conflict with the laws of our society. The program also serves as a referral service to those in the community with special needs such as family counseling, anger management, addiction control, debt management, educational development and assistance to victims of crime. We also offer assistance and provide information in preparing pardons and bonding concerns.

Primary Crime Prevention Program
Funding for this program provided by the City of Regina.
This program is aimed at reducing the likelihood of children becoming involved in criminal activity such as shoplifting and vandalism. The program is delivered in four or six sessions to children in grades 3 to 6 in both the Public and Separate School systems. It is our belief that crime can be reduced through educational programs that address social issues such as peer pressure, shoplifting and vandalism.

Young Offender/Victim Mediation Services
This program focuses on the restoration of good relations between the youth and victim. The process enables participants to explore issues of accountability, the impact of their behaviours on others, the needs of 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.

Stop-Lift
This program is designed specifically for cases involving shoplifting for young people between the ages of 12 - 17 years who are charged under the Young Offenders Act. The primary focus of the program is educational, using a structured group process. The aims of the four educational sessions are two-fold: (1) to create an awareness in the young person of the effects of his or her actions on themselves, the victim, 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.

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 Social Services as to each youth's progress.

The Next Step Program
Funding for this program provided by Social Services.
This program is an alternative to custody for youth 16 to 19 years of age that are neither attending school nor are 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.

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.

If you are interested in adopting the Justice Literacy Indicator as a part of your organization's process or procedures, or are interested in obtaining a copy of the JLW (including workbook and CD-ROM) as an educational product for professional development for employees or volunteers, please contact the John Howard Society, Regina Council by telephone (306)757-6657); email jhs.regina@sk.sympatico.ca or fax (306)347-0707. We would be happy to facilitate the Justice Literacy Workshop for you or simply provide you with this professional development package in order to accommodate for today's hectic schedules and ever-changing learning needs.

The Justice Literacy Assessment & Awareness Project is a sincere effort on the part of the John Howard Society to find solutions to ensure that, for those who come into conflict with the Justice System, the right to understand is protected.

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.

Adult Community Service Order Program
A formal court order that requires the offender to perform a specified number of community service hours. Cash payment is not an option unless the sentencing judge overturns the order. This type of order is used by the courts as an alternative to incarceration and as a condition of probation.