• This program is for:

    Boys and young men in conflict with the law, with a primary focus on those between 12 and 17.

  • Costs & Fees

    Please contact us for more information.

  • Location

    Calgary and surrounding areas for group programs and Wise Impact.

    One-on-one programming can be delivered online (Alberta-wide) or in-person (Calgary only).

  • Hours & Availability

    Varies. Please contact our WiseGuyz Youth Justice Facilitator to discuss scheduling.

  • How to Register

    Contact our WiseGuyz Youth Justice Facilitator.

WiseGuyz Criminal Justice Programming

Empowering young men to build healthy relationships, reduce reoffending and challenge harmful gender norms

WiseGuyz Criminal Justice Programs are evidence-informed, gender-transformative programs developed by the Centre for Sexuality. Adapted from the Centre's award-winning WiseGuyz school-based curriculum, the program was created to better support boys and young men involved in the criminal justice system. 

Recognizing a gap in available supports, the Centre adapted WiseGuyz Criminal Justice to address the realities of youth in diversion and custody programs. The result is a tailored initiative that helps participants build essential life and relationship skills, strengthen emotional and social awareness and promote healthier gender norms that prevent violence. 

By combining primary prevention, early intervention, and research-based approaches, WiseGuyz Criminal Justice works to: 

  • prevent adolescent dating violence and sexual offenses;
  • reduce broader involvement with the justice system;
  • support rehabilitation and positive identity development; and
  • build communication skills and healthier relationships.

Natural supports or parents may be engaged in the process if there is interest, though program sessions are designed specifically for youth.

Developed in consultation with young men, justice professionals and community partners, WiseGuyz Criminal Justice reflects the lived experiences, needs, and contexts of youth in justice settings—ensuring the program is responsive, relevant, and grounded in real-world experiences.

Program Components

The WiseGuyz Criminal Justice program addresses a range of topics designed to equip young men with knowledge, skills, and reflective tools for healthy relationships and positive decision-making. Sessions explore: 

  • Emotions, stress and self-care
  • Conflict Resolution, communication and boundaries
  • Decision-making, consent and accountability 
  • Sexual health, anatomy puberty, STIs and birth control
  • Gender and society, including the social construction of gender, media representations, gender-based violence and sexual diversity 
  • Power, equity and privilege
  • Being an engaged bystander 

Additional topics may also be explored based on the individual needs of participants or the group, ensuring programming is responsive and personalized.

These topics are delivered in both one-on-one and group formats, either in-person or online, tailored to meet participants' needs while adhering to WiseGuyz principles. 

Program Offerings

Developed in partnership with the Calgary Youth Justice Society (CYJS) and the Calgary John Howard Society, the One-on-One Diversion Program provides personalized education and support for young men referred through the justice system.

These diversion opportunities are designed for boys involved in minor first-time offenses, non-violent chargeable offenses, or second offenses where they take responsibility for their actions and voluntarily choose to participate. 

Common referral reasons may include:

  • Harmful sexual behaviours 
  • Gender-based or physical violence 
  • Non-consensual sharing of intimate images or deepfakes 
  • Harmful or disrespectful online or in-person comments 

Each session is flexible and participant-centered, offered in-person or online to meet individual needs. Sessions are designed to help youth connect program topics to their own experiences, building self-reflection, accountability and practical life skills that support positive change. 

Participants typically take part in 4–6 tailored sessions, determined in consultation with their file lead to address their specific needs. The Centre for Sexuality collaborates with referral partners to create personalized education packages targeting each participant's learning goals.

Referrals

Youth can be referred through diversion or deferral pathways. Referrals are initiated through an online referral form and can be submitted by probation officers, case managers, youth justice agencies, social workers or program partners. 

Wise Impact is a youth diversion program delivered in partnership between the Calgary John Howard Society and the Centre for Sexuality to address harmful sexual behaviours. It combines restorative justice practices with the WiseGuyz one-to-one healthy masculinity curriculum to support youth in taking accountability, building empathy, and developing skills for healthier futures. 

Calgary John Howard Society's Crime Impact Session provides youth who are responsible for harm with a safe, structured dialogue facilitated by trauma-informed practitioners. Participants are guided to recognize the emotional, psychological, relational, and community impacts of their actions — along with the financial, social, and legal consequences — while also exploring the underlying causes of their behaviour. The process supports young people in building empathy, taking accountability, and to explore whether a face-to-face restorative dialogue with those affected may be appropriate. 

How the Program Works

The Wise Impact Program typically consists of 6–8 sessions, including:

  • An initial Crime Impact Session with John Howard Society
  • 4–6 WiseGuyz education sessions 
  • Final Crime Impact Session(s) and restorative action plan 

Through Wise Impact, the combination of restorative practices and healthy relationship education offers a unique and comprehensive approach to addressing youth harmful sexual behaviour. This integration culminates in the opportunity for youth to develop a robust Restorative Action Plan that supports accountability, promotes healing, and outlines meaningful strategies for long-term positive change. The resulting plan is designed to decrease recidivism while fostering empowerment, resolution, and successful community reintegration. 

Referrals

To make a referral to the program, you can email Bill at BBourrier@centreforsexuality.ca or Calgary John Howard Society at RJ@cjhs.ca.

The WiseGuyz Criminal Justice Group Program provides a small-group in person learning environment (under 12 participants) where young men engage in peer-based discussion, reflection, and skill-building.

Currently offered in partnership with Calgary Youth Attendance Centre (CYAC) and Calgary Young Offender Centre (CYOC), groups provide opportunities for participants to learn from each other's experiences, practice new skills and explore the core topics collaboratively. Topics discussed within the program can be found above in the Program Components section. Additional topics may also be incorporated depending on the needs of the group, making sessions responsive, relevant and participant-focused. 

We offer flexible program formats to fit your schedule and goals: 

  • 6-session, 14-session, or 20-session options 
  • Sessions can be held weekly or as a condensed 2–4 week program (for 6- or 14-session formats) 
  • Each session runs 60–90 minutes, totaling 10–30 hours of interactive, skill-building programming 

Whether you're looking for a short-term series or a full-term program, we'll work with you to design a schedule that fits your youth and organization best. 

The Centre for Sexuality is open to expanding group delivery to additional justice-serving organizations or community programs interested in evidence-informed, health-promoting interventions.

Interested organizations can contact Bill Bourrier, Wiseguyz Youth Justice Facilitator, for more information.