Being referred to the Extrajudicial Sanctions (EJS) Program can bring a lot of questions and uncertainty. The EJS Program is designed to help young people take responsibility for their actions, understand the impact of their choices, and work toward repairing the harm they have caused. With the support of caregivers and trained mediators, young people have the opportunity to learn from the experience, make positive changes, and move forward.
What is the Extra-Judicial Sanctions Program?
The Extrajudicial Sanctions (EJS) Program is a restorative justice program under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. It provides an alternative to the formal court process for young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who have accepted responsibility for their actions.
The program focuses on accountability, repairing harm, and helping young people understand the impact of their actions while working toward positive change.
What Happens After a Referral?
If the Crown Attorney determines that a matter may be appropriate for Extrajudicial Sanctions, it may be referred to the St. John’s Youth Justice Committee instead of proceeding through the formal court process.
After our committee accepts the referral, a meeting will be scheduled for the young person to meet with a committee member to accept responsibility for their actions and voluntarily agree to participate in the program. Once responsibility has been acknowledged and accepted, the young person and the committee member will develop a contract together. A contract is an agreement that outlines the steps the young person must complete in order to successfully finish the EJS program. There are 2 paths to resolution; Reparation Conference or Diversion.
Reparation Conference
Reparation Conferences occur when the person who was harmed chooses to be involved in the resolution process. During conferences, the young person, the victim, and a trained facilitator meet in a safe and structured environment to discuss:
- What happened
- How people were affected
- Questions and concerns related to the incident
The facilitator is a neutral third party who helps guide the conversation and ensure everyone is treated with respect.
Diversion
Diversion occurs when the victim chooses not to participate in the conference. In this process, the young person meets with a trained facilitator and develops a contract outlining actions they will complete to take accountability and repair harm.
Contract conditions may include:
- Apologizing to the victim
- Restitution (repaying for damage)
- Community Service
- Written or creative reflection
- Meeting with an RNC officer
- Other activities that help repair harm and promote learning
How is the Program Completed?
Once the young person successfully completes their EJS contract, the matter is considered resolved through the EJS program and they will not receive a criminal record for the offence(s).
If the young person does not successfully complete their contract, the matter will be referred back to the Crown Attorney for consideration of further action, which could include involvement in the formal court process.
What is the Caregiver’s Role?
Young people are most successful when they have support. Caregivers, family members, and other trusted adults can play an important role in helping a young person complete the program and move forward in a positive way.
Your support can help the young person:
- Understand the impact of their actions
- Take responsibility for the harm caused
- Develop positive strategies for the future
We encourage Caregivers and other support people in the young persons life to participate in a restorative circle with the young person and a facilitator.
Restorative Circles
In most cases, an incident affects more than just the young person and the victim involved. Caregivers, siblings, and other trusted people may also experience stress, frustration, disappointment, worry, or uncertainty.
Restorative Circles provide a safe space for the young person, caregivers, and other important people to come together, discuss impacts, strengthen relationships, and identify supports moving forward.
The circle creates space to:
- Discuss how the situation has affected everyone involved
- Share thoughts and feelings respectfully
- Improve communication and understanding
- Identify supports and strengths within their support network
- Develop a plan for moving forward together
Participation is voluntary and focused on strengthening relationships while supporting the young persons growth and accountability.
Resource Pamphlets
Below there are 2 pamphlets with information about the committee and process: