Community sentences

Overview

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

• in a correctional or remand centre
• under supervision in the community – a community sentence

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