COMPLIANCE DETERMINATION Mandela – Recommendation 5 0.25

2022 • Manitoba Justice advised that “An action plan will be completed following the Youth Justice Review which is in the beginning stages.” • The department further advised that the Youth Justice Review is a priority for the department, but has been delayed due to COVID and the need to fill the position of Executive Director of Youth Justice under whose portfolio this work falls. [...] 2020 • The partnership between the ADMs of the Community Safety Division and Youth Justice Branch (Manitoba Justice) and Manitoba Families on the Youth Justice Review for youth involved in both justice and child welfare is a promising one, and addresses one portion of the recommendation. [...] • The focus of the Youth Justice Review on increasing supports for youth and reducing reliance of incarceration is in line with the intent of the recommendation to reinforce rehabilitative and therapeutic approaches. [...] Although no information has been provided on concrete changes made to current services in Manitoba youth custody facilities, the department noted that the recent decreases in the number of youth being held in custody yet no decreases in the number or availability of health care professionals, “has resulted in the possibility of more time being available for youth in need of this type of assistance. [...] The creation of the Youth Justice Branch in early 2021 and the work that has begun on the Youth Justice Review now that the position of Executive Director of Youth Justice has been filled are promising steps in implementation.