The Young Offenders Act

1. The Young Offenders Act Cayley Rouse

2. In 2006, 1526(per 100 000) youths were arrested in Ontario

3. The Young Offenders Act should not be used when sentencing Juvenile offenders

4. The Young Offenders Act does not punish according to the severity of the crime • Rehabilitation provided by the Young Offenders Act is too short and too simple • The age that the Young Offenders Act considers a young offender is too high

5. The Young Offenders Act does not punish according to the severity of the crime • Maximum penalty for first degree murder is 10 years • Adults receive maximum of 25 years • 10 years is not a fair sentence for taking someone else's life • Light sentencing makes youth feel as though their actions are pardonable • Ontario needs to switch from a social welfare approach to making youth take responsibility for their actions

6. Rehabilitation provided by the Young Offenders Act is too short and too simple • Action plan orders do not give youth proper time to rehabilitate • Respiration orders are not effective a most people would not trust an offender on their property • Parenting Orders are not a good idea as the young offender is not involved at this point

7. The Age category considered as a young offender is too high • A young offender is between the ages of 12-17 • If the young offender is under 12 than a youth cannot be held responsible for his actions • We develop cognitive ability when we are children • Stefanie Rengel case

8. The YOA causes the community to lose faith in the justice system • Needs of the offender are considered first • During rehab the young offender is kept in the community • Reoccuring crime rates in Ontario are high

9. The Young Offenders Act does not punish according to the severity of the crime • Rehabilitation provided by the Young Offenders Act is too short and too simple • The age that the Young Offenders Act considers a young offender is too high