While conducting hearings in Wha Ti, the committee heard a passionate speech from Chief Charles James Nitsiza. Chief Nitsiza spoke of the difficulty that the youth of his community face when they are sent to correctional facilities away from their home community. "These young people...have been born here and have lived here, they know the cultural and traditional way of life. When you take these children out of the community they go through a very difficult time," he said.
Mr. Jimmy Nitsiza, another resident of Wha Ti, gave the committee an insight into how the youth criminal justice system can impact a family. He shared his family's story of having a son sent away, and stated, "maybe if the justice committee had the capacity to deal with minor crimes within the community...it would have been better for my family."
These concerned citizens spoke in favour of the extrajudicial measures introduced by this legislation. They believe that granting the judicial system a greater degree of flexibility to deal with youth is a more sensible approach than what is currently done, and the committee agrees.