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African Canadian Justice Program

The African Canadian Justice Program (ACJP) is a one-year pilot project administered by the African Canadian Legal Clinic (ACLC). The program—for low risk African Canadians in conflict with the law—provides clients from the Adult Diversion Program with:

• racially and culturally specific programming
• community-based solutions

Download the ACJP brochure to find out more about the program.

Programming Services

The goal of programming services is to reduce and prevent recidivism amongst African Canadian adult offenders via culturally appropriate, evidence-based practices in correctional treatment. Historical and cultural differences affect how human behavior is constructed, defined, explained, and changed. An effective means of addressing the needs of African Canadians in conflict with the law is through culturally specific programming. An African-centered intervention approach will provide a learning context for people of African descent sharing world views and historical experiences.

ACJP services will instill a sense of accountability and social responsibility, while promoting respect for the administration of justice. The ACJP will provide the support and analysis necessary to explore circumstances underlying offences. Its interventions will be timely, tailored to the needs of clients.

Capacity is 12 participants for each program.

Shoplifting Prevention Program

The Shoplifting Prevention Program will assist clients in understanding the social and personal impacts of shoplifting. Through group participation and discussion, the program will explore common misconceptions about shoplifting and dispel the myth of shoplifting as a victimless crime. The criminal and personal consequences of shoplifting as well as the detrimental impact of a criminal record will be actively explored. The Program is designed to:

• undermine the rationalizations for shoplifting
• sensitize shoplifters to the costs and stigma of shoplifting
• help each shoplifter identify risk factors and develop a personal plan to stop shoplifting

Course completion requirements:

• one three-hour session
• test
• additional individual programming sessions at community justice worker’s discretion for repeat offenders or people who have committed more serious crimes

Victim Impact Education Program

T he Victim Impact Education Program will assist clients in developing increased empathy towards victims of crimes. Clients will develop an understanding of the issues and challenges faced by victims. The aim is to encourage using accurate and credible information when reflecting on offences. The group facilitator will challenge thinking and explain errors that rationalize victimizing behavior. The course will highlight past and present victimization issues among African Canadians.

Course completion requirements:

Criminal Justice Education Program

The Criminal Justice Education Program will provide clients with an overview of the justice system, emphasizing the African Canadian experience in the criminal justice system. Programming will address:

• legal and personal consequences of a criminal record
• common misconceptions surrounding the impact of a criminal record

Course completion requirements:

• one three-hour workshop
• test
• additional individual programming sessions at community justice worker’s discretion

• two two-hour group sessions
• test
• letter of apology to victim
• additional individual programming sessions at community justice worker’s discretion for repeat offenders or people who have committed more serious crimes

Managing Your Emotions Program

The objective of the Managing Your Emotions Program is to support the development of effective self-control skills to replace aggression. The program will assist clients in developing healthy coping mechanisms to:

• deal with anger and negative emotions
• avoid situations that can lead to violence

Programming will explore:

• dynamics of anger
• identification of triggers
• interpersonal problem solving
• development of concrete strategies for managing anger

Using cognitive-behavioral techniques, the facilitator will assist clients in recognizing the maladaptive thought patterns and misattributions that contribute to aggression. Course materials will address media and social messages that support violence as well as past and present violence in the African Canadian community.

Course completion requirements:

• three two-hour group sessions
• one or two additional individual programming sessions at community justice worker’s discretion

Community-based Referral Services

To address the personal circumstances that may contribute to re-offending, program employees will assist clients requiring the following:

• general information
• access to social services
• advocacy services. (such as housing, social assistance, getting proper identification)

Employees will also link them to community organizations as needed—through lists of resources and community based agencies. The ACJP will cultivate relationships with community organizations and service providers. Upon completing programs, clients will receive recommendations for on-going services to support their goals and to help minimize risk factors that can impede their progress.

Referral Intake Criteria

Clients for ACJP services must be:

• participants in the Adult Diversion Program
• referred by community justice workers
• of African descent
• at least 18 years old at the time of their offence if referred from the following courts: 2201 Finch, 1000 Finch, College Park, Old City Hall, and Scarborough

Referral Process

1. The ACJP sends community justice workers a programming schedule every 4 – 6 weeks. An e-mail notification goes out when programming sessions are full—capacity is 12 participants—or when new sessions have been added.
2. The community justice worker determine which program best meets the needs of the client and calls program employees to discuss the appropriateness of specific instances.
3. The community justice worker faxes a completed intake form to the ACJP, referring the client to a specific program session.
4. Program employees call the client within two business days of the initial referral to confirm programming dates and conduct a short telephone interview. If phone contact is unsuccessful, program employees notify the community justice worker within five business days.
5. The Client attends the programming session. If the client does not attend the programming, program employees will notify the community justice worker within one business day.
6. Program staff provide the community justice worker with a letter of completion once the client completes programming.

Program Contact

For more information on the ACJP, please contact::