The justice system is failing youth, says Winkler Police Chief Rick Hiebert.

It's why he's welcoming the recently announced review of the Manitoba Justice system.

"There's such a backlog in the court," Hiebert says, adding the dockets are so long the pressure to rush the process is intense.

He says in many cases people are remanded to a later date just to get through the list. Court dates can be pushed back months, multiple times before a discussion takes place on the incident or offence.

"It's a real waste of time and efficiency," Hiebert says.

The delays are especially detrimental for youth, he says. If a sentence, even for a minor offence, is only handed down a year later often times a youth may have committed multiple offences in the interim.

"There's no way to associate the punishment with each individual crime... it's important for youth to have a punishment that they can relate to, they know it's for a specific incident."

"I think the justice system is really failing us in that regard," Hiebert says.

Justice Minister and Attorney General Heather Stefanson says the Manitoba government’s criminal justice system modernization strategy will help end cycles of crime, create safer communities and ensure timely access to justice.

Last year Winkler hired Kenton Hoeppner, its first Community Safety Officer

The strategy is the result of an internal review that revealed Manitoba has the highest adult incarceration rate among provinces.

Stefanson says the review also found that criminal matters take far too long to move through the court system, delaying justice for too many victims in Manitoba.

Beginning in 2019, she says Manitoba Justice will report annually on "key performance indicators."

The strategy also hopes to prevent crime through community partnerships with law enforcement, while addressing mental health and addiction challenges that contribute to crime.

In Winkler, the Safe Community Initiative and Community Safety Officer are already gaining traction. The Safety Community Initiative recently birthed the new Community Care Program brings together multiple agencies to work in tandem with people in need who may have fallen through the cracks.

Stefanson highlighted the importance of reinvesting in restorative justice to hold less serious offenders accountable and address the root causes of criminal behaviour.

The province made a push for community justice committees in the early 90's though Hiebert notes the committees have since seen less activity, despite the positive impact. He hopes returning restorative justice as a provincial priority will continue.

Related article: Winkler's Community Agencies Host Epic Team-Up