Section 19 Conferencing in the Canadian Youth Criminal Justice System.

This article examines the use and perceived effectiveness of Section 19 conferences under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) in New Brunswick, Canada, which convene professionals to discuss diversion and rehabilitation options for justice-involved youth. Based on qualitative interviews with 40 service providers, the study identifies strengths such as youth involvement, collaborative planning, and sharing of expertise, alongside significant weaknesses including systemic disorganization, inconsistent communication, limited resources, inadequate training, and concerns about conference effectiveness and youth support. The findings highlight confusion about procedural roles and timing, challenges in interdisciplinary collaboration, and resource constraints that may limit the conferences’ impact. The study suggests that clarifying operational procedures, standardizing training, improving communication, and enhancing resource availability could increase the value and equitable use of Section 19 conferences in supporting youth diversion and rehabilitation.