Appendix A: Evaluation issues and questions
Issue #1: Relevance
- 1.1 What are the major needs with respect to helping Indigenous peoples involved in the criminal justice system to obtain fair, just, equitable, and culturally relevant treatment? How have the needs changed in the past 5 years?
- 1.2 To what extent are the ICW Program activities and objectives consistent with the Government of Canada’s efforts to renew its relationship with Indigenous peoples, work in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, advance reconciliation, and improve access to justice?
Issue #2: Effectiveness
- 2.1 To what extent are clients provided culturally relevant information, services and programming?
- 2.2 To what extent are clients aware of their rights and obligations and resources available as a result of their interaction with Courtworkers?
- 2.3 To what extent are judicial and court officials provided with information and advice from the Courtworkers relating to the circumstances of the clients; legal and community/social resources available to the clients in their community; alternative/restorative justice programs and services available to the clients in their community; and cultural traditions and social needs pertaining to the clients?
- 2.4 To what extent do judicial and court officials adapt approaches to better respond to the needs of Indigenous peoples, including by diverting to community-based options?
- 2.5 To what extent have the Courtworkers contributed to partnerships between the Indigenous communities they serve, community justice systems, and the criminal justice system?
- 2.6 To what extent did ICW Program contribute to clients receiving fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive treatment before the Court?
- 2.7 To what extent did the ICW Program contribute to an increase in relevant Indigenous cultural values being reflected in the Canadian justice administration?
- 2.8 To what was GBA+ considered in the planning and delivery of the ICW Program to ensure Indigenous peoples involved in the justice system obtain fair, just, equitable, and culturally relevant treatment for different GBA+ groups of clients (e.g., women, 2SLGBTQI+, youth, persons with disabilities, persons with health or medical conditions, persons experiencing homelessness, repeat offenders, etc.), particularly in response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (NIMMIWG)?
Issue #3: Efficiency
- 3.1 How has the role of Courtworkers changed in the last five years? What innovative and promising practices have been identified? What are areas for further improvement?
- 3.2 What value does the ICW Program bring in terms of efficiencies and cost-savings to the justice system and related public institutions and in terms of its impact on clients’ lives?
The above evaluation issues were developed at the onset of the evaluation. However, the analysis of evaluation findings indicated the need to highlight issues specifically related to program design and delivery. Consequently, this report provides a separate section on the evaluation findings related to the issue of program design and delivery.
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