Aboriginal Criminal Courtwork Programme

Goals & Objectives

The ACCWP is funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG). The goal of the ACCWP is to assist Aboriginal accused to better understand their rights, options and responsibilities when appearing before the criminal courts. The main objectives of the programme are: to facilitate and enhance access to justice; to ensure Aboriginal people involved in the criminal justice system, understand their rights, responsibilities and options; and to ensure that the individual receives fair and legal representation.

Programme Summary

The Aboriginal Criminal Courtwork Programme (ACCWP) was established in the early 1960's to meet the needs of Aboriginal people in urban centres finding themselves in conflict with the law. The ACCWP provide Aboriginal accused at the earliest stage of the Criminal Justice process with timely and accurate information about:

The nature and consequences of the charge(s) they are facing;
Their rights, responsibilities and options under the law including alternative justice processes (if available);
The philosophy and functioning of the Criminal Justice system, and of alternative justice processes (if available);
Court procedures;
The disposition or direction given by the court or community to the offender;
Providing the Aboriginal accused with appropriate referral to legal resources (as available and where practical);
Referring Aboriginal accused to appropriate social, education, employment, medical and other resources to enable them to address the underlying problems, which contribute to their charges and, where appropriate, follow-up on these referrals;
Liaising between Aboriginal accused and Criminal Justice personnel to help overcome communication barriers and reduce Aboriginal alienation from the Criminal Justice system. This may include being available to provide appropriate information to the court and/or speaking on behalf of the accused;
Informing justice officials about the cultural traditions, values, languages, socio-economic conditions, and other concerns of the Aboriginal community and the perspective of Aboriginal alleged accused and initiate further understanding when required;
Promoting an understanding within the Aboriginal community of the existing Criminal Justice system and alternative or community justice processes; and,
Promoting and facilitating practical, community-based justice initiatives and helping to build community capacity to identify and address justice related problems, which impact urban Aboriginal community members.

Focus on Success

The Aboriginal Criminal Courtworkers’ (ACCW’s) are committed and dedicated to being advocates for their Aboriginal community members’ who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System. The ACCW’s are providing services to address the root underlying causes that have brought the clients’ before the courts by developing Plan of Care’s and/or release plans using programme integration internally and through external referral agencies. ACCW’s are providing case management practices, and after care which in turn shows their clients they care about their well being. The ACCW’s fulfill these tasks with limited resources as they are passionate about the "Work of the Nation". ACCWP is one of the longest standing OFIFC Programmes as there is a great need for these services.

Development

OFIFC Justice Work Group will be conducting strategic planning in the New Year in regards to the ACCWP. In addition OFIFC will be rolling out newly developed Aboriginal Criminal Courtwork Programme Descriptions to the sites the concept is to provide a consistent format for easier understanding and transferability.

The OFIFC is addressing issues and concerns the ACCW’s have been encountering with the newly developed Justice Information Systems (JIS) database