Community corrections to be run by Native groups in Manitoba agreement.

WINNIPEG -- The Manitoba Metis Federation, the Southern Chiefs' Organization, the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. and the Province of Manitoba signed agreements to establishment First Nations and Metis community corrections agencies.

The agreement follows recommendations put forward by the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission and by Aboriginal Justice Inquiry. The recommendations sought to better ways to reconcile the needs of communities, and those in conflict with the law and victims.

"With these agreements, we are recognizing there is a better way to deal with First Nations and Metis people who come into conflict with the law," said Attorney General Gord Mackintosh. "This important process will help ensure probation and community justice services will be provided by people who are familiar with the community and understand the background of people in conflict with the law, providing culturally appropriate supervision, intervention and assistance."

The memoranda of understanding and a protocol agreement set out a planning process that will lead to the development of a proposal for appropriate devolution of community justice services to community corrections agencies to be established by the MMF, SCO and MKO. Manitoba Justice will continue to deal with offenders not covered by the new agencies. The goal is to make such services more efficient, effective and relevant for Aboriginal people in Manitoba.

The parties will work together to establish standards for supervision and intervention as well as effective accountability for the operations of the agencies.

Community justice services will include

* probation supervision, administering court orders,

* fine option programs, preparing pre-sentence reports and

* programs to change behaviour such as anger management, and intervention programs in the areas of addiction, domestic violence and sex offender programming ordered by the courts.

Services provided by the agencies that will be established will still be subject to the provisions of the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other federal and provincial legislation.