Young Offenders manages various programs to supervise youth in the community, encourage young offenders to take responsibility for their unlawful behaviour and change their behaviours.

The Judicial Interim Release program provides intensive supervision and support to offending youth between the time of their arrest and first court appearance, between court appearances and/or while they are awaiting the outcome of their case.

The Alternative Measures program uses victim/offender mediation and community justice forums to provide youth with opportunities to take responsibility for their unlawful behaviour, without requiring them to go through the formal Youth Court process.

If Alternative Measures is deemed an appropriate choice, a youth may be referred to the program. Youth referred to the program are encouraged to consult with a lawyer before choosing whether to participate. Youth have the right, at any point in the process, to ask that their case be heard in Youth Court.

During mediation or a community justice forum, each party has an opportunity to express their feelings or concerns regarding the offence, and with the assistance of a mediator, come to an agreement that all believe to be fair.

An agreement could involve the youth doing volunteer work for the victim or the community, paying damages to the victim, attending counseling, writing an essay related to the offence or any other activity acceptable to all involved. If the youth successfully completes what was agreed to, he or she is cleared of any further responsibility for the offence. If the youth was charged, the charge is dismissed.

An educational program called StopLift is available in Regina and Saskatoon to youth involved in shoplifting. The program educates youth about the consequences of shoplifting to themselves, the victim and the community.

Probation, deferred custody, community supervision and conditional supervision are examples of community-based orders, where young persons are supervised in accordance with their assessed level of risk to re-offend. High-risk youth receive very high levels of supervision that may include meetings with their youth worker every 48 hours.

Youth under community orders also receive programming and treatment to address the factors - substance abuse, poor school attendance, unemployment, pro-criminal attitudes and anti-social behaviours, for example - contributing to their offending. Services are also provided to address other needs such as cognitive disabilities or connections with culture and traditions. Youth workers work in partnership with other Ministries and agencies to provide mental health services and programs for high-risk or violent youth.