2003: Youth Criminal Justice Act

Last updated on July 30, 2021

In April 2003, the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) was proclaimed.

The YCJA introduced much stricter legal criteria to restrict the use of remand and sentenced custody as well promoting greater use of police diversion and restorative justice.

Further declines in custody counts followed the proclamation of the YCJA.

Contributing factors include:

Marked decreases in the youth crime rate
Substantial investments in community-based alternatives to custody and rehabilitation services
Improved service coordination from bringing youth justice services to Ministry of Children and Family Development in 1997
Implementation of the new federal Youth Criminal Justice Act in 2003

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2003: Youth Criminal Justice Act