Justice and Public Safety
December 27, 2017
Improved Access to Justice and Stronger Police Oversight in 2017
Improving access to justice and increasing transparency and accountability in law enforcement were priorities for the Provincial Government in 2017.
This year, programs, legislation and policies were introduced to support the justice system in this province. This included the introduction of the Sexual Assault Response Pilot Project, legislation to establish a Serious Incident Response Team, a new progressive policy regarding Disciplinary Segregation in correctional facilities, and the Minister’s Committee on Violence Against Women and Girls.
In 2017, Justice Summits were held in St. John’s and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, bringing together key players in the criminal justice system. The summits identified issues and determined possible solutions to improve the criminal justice system. The outcomes of discussions at the summits will inform policies pursued by the Department of Justice and Public Safety going forward in addition to facilitating further constructive dialogue within the justice system in the future. Justice Summits will be held in central and western Newfoundland in 2018.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety has a mandate to administer the province’s legal system as well as provide legal services to the Crown. There has been significant progress in 2017 towards enhancing services and responses to improve public protection and access to justice.
More information on Department of Justice and Public Safety work in 2017 can be found in the backgrounder below.
Quotes
“Throughout the past year I have had opportunities to bring together people from all facets of the justice system. It provided us an opportunity to discuss how our work is connected and to determine how we can come together to make justice more accessible to everyone. I’m extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish and look forward to continuing to build on this work in 2018.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
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Learn More
Minister Parsons Announces Support for Victims of Sexual Assault - www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/just/0425n01.aspx
Minister Parsons Introduces Legislation to Establish Serious Incident Response Team - www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/just/1116n02.aspx
New Disciplinary Segregation Policy for Inmates in Newfoundland and Labrador - www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/just/1004n04.aspx
Collaboration at Committee Meeting Identifies Next Steps in Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls - www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/just/1208n09.aspx
Justice Summit – St. John’s Summary Report - www.justice.gov.nl.ca/just/publications/pdf/Justice_Agenda_CBEB_Version.pdf
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Media contact
Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 699-2910
LesleyClarke@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Sexual Assault Response Pilot Project
On April 25 of this year, the Provincial and Federal Governments announced funding for the Sexual Assault Response Pilot Program. The Sexual Assault Response Pilot Program will provide free independent legal advice on criminal matters, to help victims make informed decisions about the court process. This valuable initiative will complement existing supports provided by government’s Victim Services. In consultation with community, federal and provincial stakeholders, a program will be developed that is sensitive to the additional information needs and supports often required by survivors of sexual assault. Trauma informed, professional development opportunities will be developed and provided to lawyers delivering the service and other service providers to ensure sensitivity to survivors needs.
Serious Incident Response Team
The Provincial Government is strengthening transparency and accountability in the justice system by introducing a Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) in Newfoundland and Labrador. Legislation was passed in 2017 and a new team will be in place in the new year. It is crucial that people in the province have faith in the administration of justice. Establishing a SIRT team will provide an increased level of transparency and help ensure people have trust the system. The new legislation calls for a team that will investigate all matters involving death, serious injury, sexual offence, and domestic violence involving the police, as well as other matters of significant public interest that involve police. Police agencies in the province have indicated their support for a serious incident response team.
Disciplinary Segregation Policy
The new progressive policy regarding Disciplinary Segregation came from a report that made 18 recommendations, which were all accepted in principal. The new policy will provide alternative disciplinary measures for corrections staff and will give inmates greater access to mental health services and rehabilitation programs. The damaging effects segregation can have on inmates, especially pertaining to their mental health, is well recognized. The department wants to limit its use in correctional centres and instead, use measures that promote rehabilitation.
Minister’s Committee on Violence Against Women and Girls
The Minister’s Committee on Violence Against Women and Girls connects community groups, representatives from Indigenous governments and organizations, those with lived experience and government members to identify possible solutions to end gender-based violence. The goal is to share information, exchange ideas, and come up with action plans to end gender-based violence in Newfoundland and Labrador. The committee will focus on key areas that need to change in the justice system to end violence against women and girls, the challenges that need to be addressed, the role individuals and groups play and the concrete actions that can be taken as part of a collaborative approach to these solutions.
2017 12 27 11:30 a.m.