Underutilization forces closure of youth open custody group homes

Health and Community Services Minister Elizabeth Marshall announced today the closure of two of the province�s 11 open custody youth group homes, citing a provincial decline of youth correction clients.

The boards of Whitbourne�s Lakeview House and Gander�s Youth Assessment Centre were given a 90-day notice of the withdrawal of government funding. Both homes have experienced a steady decline in utilization since 1998 with Whitbourne operating at 28 per cent capacity and Gander at 12 per cent of capacity between December 2002 and November 2003.

"We have a program that is currently operating with excess capacity and no longer meets the needs of changing demographics, a provincial decline in youth crime and the new federal youth justice legislation," said Minister Marshall. "These two homes were significantly under-utilized."

The Youth Criminal Justice Act, which took effect April 1, 2003, is one reason fewer teens are being sentenced to custodial care. The new law favours community-based alternatives such as probation and community service. The operational funding from the affected group homes will further this national direction and be redirected to support additional social work positions.

"Redeploying our resources will ensure our youth have opportunities to overcome challenges and circumstance through community support and integration rather than in institutional settings," said Minister Marshall. "These efforts to enhance community-based services are consistent with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act."

Last year, all boards governing open custody group homes were aware that the department was conducting a review regarding capacity levels in light of new federal legislation and a continuous decline in the province�s young offender population.

Any affected youth will be transferred to other group homes. Programming will be delivered to youth who need it through the nine remaining open custody facilities across the province.

Media contact: Carolyn Chaplin, Communications, (709) 729-1377

2004 01 29                                        1:55 p.m.