Community sentences

Learn how some adult offenders and youth serve their court sentences under supervision in the community.

Overview

Correctional Services oversees anyone sentenced less than 2 years. These sentences can be served:

Community Corrections Branch supervises anyone given a community sentence.

Community sentences

Sentences can include:

  • community service
  • fines
  • probation
  • peace bond
  • conditional sentence order
  • custody followed by a community sentence

Adult programs

Adult offenders can take part in a number of programs designed for them to:

  • serve their sentences
  • pay their fines
  • stay in their community
  • develop positive behaviours
  • take part in rehabilitative programs

Probation

Offenders are supervised by a probation officer. An offender must comply with certain conditions like:

  • curfew
  • maintaining employment 
  • avoiding certain:
    • behaviours 
    • places
    • people

Fine option program

Offenders can repay non-traffic fines by completing community service work.

Supervision

  • temporary absence:
    • a supervised program to help offenders transition into the community after serving part of their sentence in a correctional centre
  • pre-trial release:
    • a supervised program for those going through the court process

Alternative measures

This program allows first- or second-time offenders who plead guilty to offences meeting eligible criteria to:

  • serve court-agreed sentences
  • not get a criminal record

Rehabilitative programs

These are specialized programs for:

  • mental health
  • addictions treatment
  • education
  • life skills

Youth programs

Youths receiving a community sentence order can take part in programs designed to:

  • have meaningful consequences
  • pay their fines
  • stay in their community
  • continue their education
  • develop positive behaviours

Community service work

Youth can complete up to 240 hours of work as a way to make amends to the community. This work can include:

  • working with seniors
  • cleaning recreational areas
  • helping community leagues
  • volunteering for a non-profit agency like a
    • food bank
    • mission
    • shelter

Non-residential order

Youth can complete up to 240 hours of non-residential programs at a youth attendance centre. These programs can include:

  • life skills
  • theft prevention
  • self-esteem
  • responsible thinking
  • driver awareness
  • healthy relationships

Custody and community supervision

Youth serve part of their sentence in a secure or open youth custody facility followed by a period of supervision in the community.

Probation

Youth remain in their communities under the supervision of a probation officer. The youth must comply with certain conditions like:

  • curfews
  • attending counseling or school and
  • avoiding certain
    • behaviours
    • people or
    • places

Fine option program

Youth can volunteer for charitable or non-profit organizations to repay fines of less than $1,000.

Enhanced supervision

  • intensive support and supervision:
    • enhanced community supervision for higher risk youth
  • reintegration leave:
    • a supervised temporary leave program that allows youth to transition back into communities or leave a youth custody facility to access education, employment, self-improvement or health services

Extrajudicial sanctions

Eligible youth might avoid a criminal record by taking part in alternatives like:

  • community-based restitution
  • restorative justice programs

Contact

Connect with the Community Corrections Branch:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-3109
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-422-3098

Address:
Community Corrections Branch
Public Safety and Emergency Services
10th Floor, John E. Brownlee Building
10365 97 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 3W7