SAN DIEGO -- Young people who commit crimes in City Heights are getting a second chance as part of a program that's offering an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system.

Offenders are being put face-to-face with their victims.

It's called restorative justice and its keeping youth offenders out of juvenile hall, while repairing the harm done on victims, families, the community and even the offenders themselves.

Debbie Newkirk was sitting in a trolley on her way to work when out of nowhere, a teen came up from behind and stole her purse.

"I was yelling, somebody stop him, stop him! He stole my purse and thank God three guys jumped in and started following him and they managed to tackle him down the street," said Newkirk.

Both Newkirk and her youth offender were introduced to the City Heights restorative community conference pilot project. It gave the teen a chance to apologize and take ownership for his actions.

"I know they are young, dumb, stupid kids and they act impulsively. You are there to help them and that was my goal, to go through and help him," she said.

The qualified youth offenders are asked to participate based on the crimes they commit, from battery and theft to domestic violence and vandalism.

"We're looking for innovative ways to get offenders the services that they need and keep those that shouldn't be in the system, those that are low risk out of it," said Matt Jenkins, chief probation officer.

Together with their victims, offenders workout a customize plan of action designed to repair the harm. That includes community service, restitution, after-school activities or taking drug or alcohol classes.

"What's important to note is holding youth offenders accountable doesn't always means prosecuting them in the juvenile court and putting them into juvenile hall," said San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.

"This is also exciting for us because it really means reversing a trend that has been occurring for far too long. Too many young people being locked up," said Diana Ross, executive director of Mid-City Community Action Network.

More than 40 youth offenders have been referred to the program with 24 going through the entire process. Its 95 percent compliance rate shows restorative justice is working.

"After this program, I changed completely and I thank this program for it because I am a better person now and it opened my eyes," said Jose Ortega, 17, youth offender who participated in the program.

To qualify for the program, youth offenders must have committed their offense or live in specified mid-city zip codes.

There are plans to expand the project to other parts of the city in the near future.

solzhesnitchin posted:

stegosaurus posted:

well ive been in the trade now *adjusts suspenders, staring into the distance* for about a month. I am doing pretty well. I'm already bending conduit (look it up its not my job to educate u) and reading blueprints and working on my own. when i say "working on my own" I am doing the most basic possible shit, but I'm being taught a lot, i can feel my arms and wrists getting stronger and everyone is being very encouraging. I'm with this one journeyman who is in his mid 30s and we're really hitting it off. I have a suspicion he's related to a lady i met at a socialist thing a year ago so he might be Down either way he's cool and I lucked out because I'm sure I could have been stuck with someone who is tough to work with. I've already seen my first nazi graf in the porta potty, already heard someone talk about 'beaners' so I'm getting the full experience. I actually enjoy the work, its way better than fedex although you definitely go home tired at the end of the day.

they took another class of apprentices, i was number 20 and they took.... drum roll.... 15. so im 5th in line and if they take another class soon i'll be in and making a bunch more money and officially an apprentice.

so, bottom line, like the job, people like me, im a good worker mister foreman man,

cool. my friend is also about 4 months into the ibew pre-apprenticeship and he really likes it so far. i was a bit worried because he went in with absolutely 0 construction experience, but after a bit of a rough start he seems to be doing really well and his foreman likes him a lot.

thats dope. lets all try to impress our foremans.

Who cares that Rankin was an early board member of the Wilderness Committee, former president of West Coast Environmental Law, former chair of the Land Conservancy of BC, started teaching environmental law in 1977 at the University of Victoria, and has acted for several First Nations as legal counsel on environmental issues over decades?

Who cares that Rankin's environmental credentials might even exceed those of May, who worked for the environment minister under Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney at one point?

He's even a vegetarian for god's sake.

In 2013 Rankin, a sitting member of parliament, was barred from attending public meetings on the Northern Gateway pipeline. So the Greens are spending their resources to oust an MP who, in opposition, is completely powerless, but has excellent environmentalist credentials, in order to replace him with another MP who, in opposition, will be completely powerless.