Community-based sentences

Probation

Youth who are sentenced to probation will continue to live in the community. Each young person is assigned a probation officer who:

• meets with the youth regularly
• develops a plan for the youth with the youth and the parents
• helps the youth stay out of trouble and meet his or her goals.

See: Probation offices - Youth Justice Services, Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Community Service Order

Youth who are sentenced to Community Service have a plan developed and supervised for the youth to take responsibility for his or her actions and contribute to the community.

Community Programs/Alternatives to Custody

A range of programs are provided to meet alternate sentencing options in the Youth Criminal Justice Act. These programs hold youth accountable, support rehabilitation and create opportunities for youth to make better choices. They also meet the needs of specific youth, such as youth with mental health issues. Specific Aboriginal programs are designed, implemented and operated by Aboriginal agencies for Aboriginal youth.

Attendance Centres: Youth Intervention Centres

Attendance Centres provide structured and supervised programming for young people in the community. Youth participate in programs for a specific amount of time that address their issues such as:

• anger management
• life skills
• substance abuse counselling
• employment or job search skills

Intensive Support and Supervision Programs

These programs are for youth who have diagnosed mental health issues. In addition to addressing their specific issues, youth also receive specialized mental health care.

Custody services

Youth who receive custody sentences often have more serious charges. A youth will have a custody sentence for a specific length of time. A youth with a custody sentence may be sent to open custody or secure custody. When they are released from custody, all youth have a period of supervision in the community. Custody residences are located across the province.

Youth in custody take part in programming, such as:

• education
• counselling
• addiction counselling
• anger management
• life skills
• recreation
• cultural programs.

Learn more

What happens when the young person is dealt with outside of the formal court process?