Extrajudicial Measures and Second Chances

When you were in elementary school, did you ever fail a test or an assignment? 

This could have happened for a number of reasons. Like the lack of educational material, studying, or parent / teacher mentorship on the topic.

Now did that teacher who failed you give you the opportunity to redeem yourself?

Maybe by redoing that same test or assignment? Complete a different one in replacement of that mark? 

Or did they let you fail?

Causing you to not learn your lesson and have you sit with that failure?

This is a simple analogy to what youth face on a regular basis. Primarily due to the lack of support from family, friends, the youth criminal justice system, and low socio-economic status. 

In our blog series, we realized the harsh reality that youth face when they are not supported when they were growing up.

Tyler was under privileged, lived in poverty, abused as a child, and had only one chance to correct his life. With the lack of support and guidance, he reoffended, and chose a life of crime.

As seen in “Restorative Justice and Extrajudicial Measures, What is the Difference?,” the law can fail youth when they are given certain chances to redeem themselves. Primarily when Tyler was arrested before without the use of restorative justice practices. 

Some extrajudicial measures were utilized by police and the court system. But they did not provide Tyler with an educational understanding of why his actions were wrong. 

Here, there could have been the use of post-conviction extrajudicial measures in the form of education for youth offenders that have been sentenced. This can be achieved through the help of the Second Chance Scholarship Foundation. 

Post Conviction Extrajudicial Measures:

Extrajudicial measures are defined as actions taken by police or law enforcement to not convict a youth of a crime. Instead there are other methods used to create an understanding of wrongdoing and help them learn from their mistakes. 

Giving that youth a second chance to rebuild the relationships they have broken. 

When a youth is detained or in prison, there can be an understanding or acceptance of their wrongdoings against a person, property or a community. Which is one of the first elements of extrajudicial measures. 

In a detention centre or prison, there is a lack of an educational setting for youth. Here they are locked up away from society and reform programs. 

The Second Chance Scholarship Program provides youth offenders that do not have access to reform programs or higher forms of education. 

Providing youth with a way to learn from their actions and build a life for themselves. Thus deterring them from reoffending and conforming to society. 

How Can the Second Chance Scholarship Foundation Help?

The Second Chance Scholarship Foundation interacts with youth offenders that are in detention centres or federal prisons in many ways. 

Our foundation is known for providing youth offenders with a chance to achieve higher education. Allowing them to attain a job in a field they are interested in. Providing them with stability and a sense of purpose once released. 

Some of the youth that have received our help started their post secondary path when they were still detained. This is primarily in the form of scholarships, bursaries, and access to potential resources needed for completion of their education. 

Youth offenders are able to start their post secondary education remotely. Once released they were able to complete their education in person.

There are currently 30 scholarships available to be applied for through our foundation.

Some of the post secondary institutions that we are affiliated with are primarily Humber College  and OCAD University. 

Some of the programs that we provide scholarships for are:

• HVAC
• Construction 
• Plumbing 
• Law 

Second Chance Scholarship Foundation also provides youths with our platinum dinner program. This program is run by the staff of our foundation, with the help of the staff of the detention centres and prisons. 

Here, we provide youth offenders with food, workshops, and guest speakers on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. This program is to support these youth during the holidays as they are spending it detained. 

Giving them hope that they can receive a second chance with a little help when they need it the most. 

Every donation matters. Donate today to save a youth and provide them with their basic right to education. 

If you would like to read more of our educational blog series, click the links below:

1. Understanding the Correlation Between Youth, Poverty, and Criminality in Canada
2. How Does the Youth Criminal Justice Act Protect Youth Offenders
3. How is Youth Crime Reported and Organized in Canada
4. Restorative Justice and Extrajudicial Measures, What is the Difference?