11.A Discussion Chess For Life project

I have been in contact with Prof. Lance Grigg from Lethbridge university, in Alberta, who has been running a small but successful grogram called “Chess for life”. The program is geared at young offenders who show an interest in learning and playing chess as part of their sentence.
In Alberta, some parole officers and judges have been involved and, instead of time served in a detention center or doing community service somewhere, young offenders are ordered to engage in learning and playing chess for a number of hours (parole officers ensure that it is being respected). Some of them have changed the course of their life as a result (back to school, take a real job…).

The CFC wishes to extend this program and help young offenders throughout Canada to change their life, especially knowing that the result will influence not only a young life but the community the offender belongs to (A large number of young offenders are from the First Nations). Moreover, Chess For Life can change how young people are treated by the Justice system and this is the difference with other programs.

We are in contact with some of the Chief Justices in some provinces and the program is to be formally presented at the next meeting of all Canada Chief Justices, in September.

We very much hope to create grounds for a better judicial system in each province toward young offenders through playing Chess.
If any of you wish to help, you are more than welcome, of course.