Newfoundland and Labrador ¹

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional service programs in Newfoundland and Labrador are administered by the Department of Justice through the Attorney General. Text table 3.1 lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. While most programswere available universally, correctional services in Newfoundland and Labrador did not offer stand-alone community service orders (CSO), a fine option program, intensive supervision programs, pre-trial supervision or alternative measures programs for adults.

Administration of programs

The administration of community correctional programs involves probation officers and assistants, as well as electronic monitoring officers, each of whom may provide primary or secondary case management. The primary case manager is typically a probation officer who is responsible for the principle supervision of the offender while secondary case managers may perform other duties such as making referrals and supervising community work or treatment programs.

Text table 3.1
Program availability,¹ Newfoundland and Labrador adults

Newfoundland and Labrador contracts out programs and residential services for offenders. Organized community based programs and residential services for offenders on probation, conditional sentencing and electronic monitoring are supervised by the John Howard Society through a contractual agreement. Residential services are also offered by the Salvation Army. Contact between the contracted agencies is maintained during supervision and the probation officer assumes the responsibility to open and close files and lay administrative charges, such as a breach if the conditions of the supervision are not met.

The administration of Newfoundland and Labrador’s programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.2 .

Text table 3.2
Program/service administration,¹ Newfoundland and Labrador adults

Newfoundland and Labrador offers probation intake services at court. Probation officers administer risk/needs assessment evaluations upon intake of offenders. Newfoundland and Labrador does not employ any specialist probation officers. However, all probation officers have participated in the Dynamic Supervision Training for sex offenders.

Admissions to probation in Newfoundland and Labrador have decreased by 8% between 1993/94 and 2002/03, or from 2,316 to 2,141. Most notably, the number of admissions to community service orders have increased almost 3 fold since 1996/97 from 95 to 268 (table 6-2 ).

Supervision standards

Adults who receive a supervised probation order or a conditional sentence are administered risk/needs assessments. Newfoundland and Labrador uses a Modified Wisconsin Assessment as the main tool for risk assessment. In spousal assault cases, the Secondary Risk Assessment (SRA) – Partner Abuser is administered to obtain further information about the client. Newfoundland and Labrador also uses STATIC-99 as a risk assessment for sex offenders.

Each offender is classified into one of three levels of supervision:

• Low: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once every three months.
• Medium: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once a month.
• High: report at least twice a month to a probation officer or delegate.

Each year, an informal progress review is done for each offender, which may include a re-assessment. If deemed necessary, a change in level in supervision may then occur.

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/03, probation officers in Newfoundland and Labrador completed 617 pre-sentence reports were completed by a probation officer. In comparison, there were 4,649 sentenced cases concluded by the courts in that year.  ²

Youth

Introduction

Community correctional service programs for youth in Newfoundland and Labrador are administered by the Department of Health and Community Services. Text table 3.3 lists the available community corrections programs and services in 2004. While most programs were available across the province, correctional services in Newfoundland and Labrador did not offer electronic monitoring or a fine option program for youths. As well, pre-trial supervision andthe intensive supervision program were available with limitations.

Text table 3.3
Program availability,¹ Newfoundland and Labrador youth

Administration of programs

The administration of youth community corrections programs involves registered social workers who act as probation officers (youth workers), associated community supervision workers, as well as contracted agencies and community volunteers.

The administration of Newfoundland and Labrador’s programs and services for youths is presented in text table3.4  .

Probation officers (youth workers) maintain case management responsibilities for all youths, which include the development of case plans and the responsibility to take legal action upon breach of conditions. Open custody residential services are contracted out to community boards or agencies such as the John Howard Society. Extrajudicial sanction programs are administered by volunteer Youth Justice Committees, in a partnership with designated probation officers, police officers and Crown Attorneys.

Text table 3.4
Program/service administration,¹ Newfoundland and Labrador youth

Between 1997/98 and 2002/03, youth admissions to probation in Newfoundland and Labrador decreased by 45%, or from 886 to 490 (table 8-2 ). The average count of youth on probation has also decreased (43%), indicating that youth are sentenced to probation orders less frequently and when sentenced, are sentenced for a shorter duration (table 9-2 ).

Supervision standards

Upon intake of the client, those who receive a supervised probation order or pre-trial supervision are administered a risk/needs assessment. Newfoundland and Labrador uses the Youth Level of Service/ Case Management Inventory (YLS-CMI) risk/needs assessment tool.

As a result of the assessment, the youth is assigned one of four of the following supervision levels:

• Low: report to a probation officer or delegate once every other month.
• Medium: report to a probation officer or delegate once a month.
• High: report twice a month to a probation officer or delegate.
• Intensive: report to a probation officer or delegate four times per month.

A reassessment is done every three months for those in the intensive program and every six months for persons classified in every other level.

Over half (58%) of all young persons under supervision in 2002/03 were classified as a medium risk level, another 20% each were classified in low and high supervision levels, and only 2% were classified into an intensive level of supervision.

Pre-disposition reports

In 2002/03, probation officers in Newfoundland and Labrador completed 286 pre-disposition reports completed by a probation officer. In comparison, there were 1,078 disposed youth cases concluded that year. ³

Prince Edward Island ⁴

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional service programs in Prince Edward Island are administered by the Community and Correctional Services Division of the Ministry of the Attorney General. Text table 3.5 lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. Most programs and services were offered universally across the province. Stand-alone restitution orders, community service orders, and pre-trial supervision were offered on a limited basis. Prince Edward Island did not offer the intensive supervision or the electronic monitoring program for adults.

Text table 3.5
Program availability,¹ Prince Edward Island adults

Administration of programs

With the exception of the temporary absence program, probation officers are involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. An offender in the temporary absence program is supervised by institutional staff, which monitors offenders through telephone checks and occasional site visits. In some cases, institutional staff also assists probation officers in the supervision of offenders with a conditional sentence by completing random telephone checks. Prince Edward Island does not use contracted agencies for supervision or administration of their community correctional programs or services.

The administration of Prince Edward Island's programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.6 .

Text table 3.6
Program/service administration,¹ Prince Edward Island adults

Until 2004, probation officers in Prince Edward Island supervised caseloads of both adult and youth. Since this time, Prince Edward Island has implemented a process of staffing a new Youth Justice Services Team for the province to separate the caseloads of adult and young persons. ⁵

Prince Edward Island's fine option program is available for all fines for Provincial Offences, the Criminal Code of Canada, or other Federal offences. Fines for Municipal by-law infractions are not eligible for the fine option program. Individuals can elect entry into the fine option program in court when the fine is levied, but not after. The provincial minimum wage is used to determine the number of hours to be worked to pay off the fine at the hourly minimum wage. ⁶

Community corrections services in Prince Edward Island do not offer probation intake services at court. Moreover, there are no specialist probation officers who carry specialised offender caseloads.

Volunteers assist probation officers in client supervision and case management. They also assist in the preparation of in-office reports such as pre-sentence reports.

The average month-end probation count has declined by almost 21% between 1993/94 (862) and 2002/03 (683). On the other hand, probation officers in Prince Edward Island have been responsible for an increasing number of clients in alternative measures. Between 1997/98 and 2002/03, average month end counts of individuals in an alternative measures program have increased 138%, or from 21 to 50 (table 7-3 ).

As is the case with most provinces and territories, the introduction of the conditional sentence in 1996 has also changed the makeup of the offender case profile for probation officers. Admissions for a conditional sentence in Prince Edward Island increased by nearly 45% between 1997/98 and 2002/03, from 29 to 42 admissions (table 6-3 ).

While data are not available on the caseloads of restitution or community service orders, the average number of hours of a CSO disposition for all offenders was 40 in 2002/03. In addition, the average value of a restitution order was $500. ⁷

Supervision standards

Prior to December 2004, Prince Edward Island did not use risk/needs assessment tools to formally assess offenders. Probation officers assessed the risk and needs of an offender using the same criteria as a formal assessment tool, in an informal way. Since December 2004, Prince Edward Island implemented the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) as the main assessment tool to regulate supervision standards. Training for the LSI-R has been completed for all community corrections officers.

The frequency of contact with probation officers differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the offender. However, while there is no standard for the frequency of contact between the offender and a probation officer, general contact guidelines are listed below.

Generally, there are three levels of supervision:

• Low: report to a probation officer or delegate once a month.
• Medium: report, in person, to a probation officer or delegate once a month.
• High: report twice a month to a probation officer or delegate.

Information regarding the proportion of offenders in each supervision level is not available. However, the majority of offenders are considered medium or high risk. Low risk offender caseloads are largely managed as alternative measures. A reassessment is administered every six months or if the offender receives an additional probation order.

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed a total of 277 pre-sentence reports, 248 were written and 31 were stand-down reports (reports presented orally to the court). In comparison, there were 1,157 sentenced adult court cases concluded that year. ⁸

Youth

Introduction

Young and adult offenders in community correctional service programs are both administered by Community and Correctional Services Division of the Ministry of the Attorney General. Text table 3.7 lists the community corrections programs and services available to young persons in 2004. Similar to adults, stand-alone restitution orders, community service orders, and pre-trial supervision were offered on a limited basis. Electronic monitoring and the intensive support and supervision programs were not offered for youth.

Text table 3.7
Program availability,¹ Prince Edward Island youth

Administration of programs

As is the case for adults, a probation officer is generally involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. Temporary absences are supervised and managed by institutional staff. Contracted agencies do not have a supervisory role in the administration of young offenders in community correctional programs.

The administration of Prince Edward Island's programs and services for young offenders is presented in text table 3.8 .

Text table 3.8
Program/service administration,¹ Prince Edward Island youth

Spurred by the introduction of the YCJA, Prince Edward Island separated adult and youth community corrections. As a result, 15 new probation officers began working for the Youth Justice Services Team.

Prince Edward Island's fine option program is available to all young persons for all fines for provincial offences, the Criminal Code of Canada, or other federal offences. Fines for municipal by-law infractions are not eligible for the fine option program.

While data are not available on the caseloads of restitution or community service orders for young offenders, the average number of hours of all offenders with a CSO disposition was 40 in 2002/03. In addition, the average value of all restitution provisions was $500. ⁹

Like adult offenders in Prince Edward Island, the average count of young offenders on probation also declined 45% between 1998/99 and 2002/03 (table 9-3 ), while admissions of young offenders to probation declined 34% (table 8-3 ).

Supervision standards

Young offenders who receive a supervised probation order are formally assessed with a Youth Level of Service/ Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) risk/needs assessment. Similarly to adults, a young offender's frequency of contact is not standardised for each level, although there are general guidelines.

Generally, there are three levels of supervision:

• Low: report to a probation officer or delegate once a month.
• Medium: report, in person, to a probation officer or delegate twice a month.
• High: report to a probation officer or delegate four times a month.

Information on the proportion of young offenders in each supervision level is not available. A reassessment is administered every six months, or if the offender receives an additional probation order.

Pre-disposition reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 174 pre-disposition reports. In comparison, there were 300 disposed youth cases concluded that year. ¹⁰

Nova Scotia ¹¹

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional service programs in Nova Scotia are administered by the Correctional Services Division of the Department of Justice. Text table 3.9 lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. Although stand-alone restitution was available to offenders across Nova Scotia, they were issued at the discretion of the Court. As such, the Court monitors all stand-alone restitution orders. Nova Scotia did not offer pre-trial supervision, intensive supervision, or electronic monitoring programs for adults.

Text table 3.9
Program availability,¹ Nova Scotia adults

Administration of programs

Probation officers in Nova Scotia supervise caseloads of both adult and youth. Generally, probation officers are involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service.A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed.In most cases, contracted agencies such as the John Howard Society, Salvation Army and some local municipal governments are also involved in the supervision or administration of community service orders (CSO) or the fine option program.

The administration of Nova Scotia's programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.10 .

Text table 3.10
Program/service administration,¹ Nova Scotia adults

For the most part, a probation officer refers both the client in the fine option program and a client with a CSO to one of these contracted agencies after the initial intake of a client. The supervision of the client during these programs is principally the responsibility of the contracted worker. While the probation officer may maintain contact with the contracted agencies for the duration of a client's participation in the program, the probation officer does not assume a large supervisory role unless there is a need to administer a breach of the community order or until participation in the fine option program or the hours for a community service order are completed.

Probation officers in Nova Scotia supervise caseloads of both adult and young offenders. Prior to 2001/02, Nova Scotia's fine option program was available for all fines for provincial offences, the Criminal Code of Canada, or other federal offences. As of June 1, 2001 provincial motor vehicle offences and fines for Criminal Code offences related to the operation of motor vehicles were excluded from the fine option program. This change resulted in a dramatic drop in the number of admissions to the fine option program, from 1,746 in 2000/01 to 270 in 2001/02, or a decline of 85% (table 6-4 ).

When ordered to pay a fine resulting from any Provincial Offences the Criminal Code, or Other federal offences, an individual is eligible to enter the fine option program. He/she can elect entry into the fine option program to the issuance of a warrant of committal. Provincial minimum wage is used to determine the number of hours to be worked to pay off the fine. ¹²

Nova Scotia does not offer probation intake services at court. When an offender is sentenced to probation (or any other sentence that involves community supervision), the court orders him/her to a probation office closest to the court. The probation officer then directs the offender to his/her permanent office.

Depending on the location, probation officers may carry specialised offender caseloads. Some probation officers work exclusively with conditional sentence offenders. Slightly more than 1% of Nova Scotia's probation officers are Aboriginal.

Volunteers in Nova Scotia provide client supervision and case management. If the volunteer has sufficient training, he/she may also responsible for assisting with offender programs in particular areas such as anger management. Occasionally, volunteers may also prepare or assist in the preparation of reports.

The average month-end count of offenders on probation declined by more than 11% between 1993/94 (4,442) and 2002/03 (3,942) (table 7-4 ). The average count of community service orders and restitution orders have also declined since 1993/94, by 25% and 38% respectively. An increase in the number of offenders with restricted offences (causing them to be ineligible for a temporary absence), may be contributing factors to the decline in the number of offenders in the temporary absence program since 1996/97.

In recent years probation officers in Nova Scotia have been responsible for an increasing number of offenders in the diversion program. Since the program's inception in 1996, the average count of individuals in diversion has increased by almost 70%, from 280 in 1998/99 to 471 in 2002/03. The introduction of the conditional sentence in 1996 has also changed the makeup of the offender caseload for probation officers (table 7-4 ).

Supervision standards

Adults who receive a supervised probation order are assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. The level of supervision is the direct result of classification generated by the Level of Service-Revised (LSI-R) assessment tool. The offenders' frequency of contact with a probation officer differs according to the level of supervision assigned. In some cases, a substance abuse questionnaire or domestic violence inventory is administered to obtain further information about the client. The LSI-R is administered upon intake of the client and is updated every six months thereafter.

Each offender is classified into one of three levels of supervision:

• Minimum: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once every three months.
• Medium: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once a month.
• Maximum: report at least twice a month to a probation officer or delegate.

In 2002/03, the largest proportion of clients on supervised probation was classified as high risk (40%). Thirty-eight percent (38%) of the caseload was classified as medium risk and 22% as low risk. In addition to the three levels of supervision, some offenders may be classified as 'administrative' if, for example, supervision is no longer required. No data were available on how many clients were classified in the administrative level.

If a client receives an additional probation order the assessment is readministered. While not an automatic procedure, clients who have been convicted of a new offence may also be reassessed. Probation officers have discretion to re-classify any offender to a more intensive level of supervision with or without a new risk/needs assessment.

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 2,104 pre-sentence reports. In comparison, there were 7,369 sentenced adult cases concluded that year. ¹³

Youth

Introduction

All community correctional service programs for youth in Nova Scotia are administered by the same Department responsible for adult offenders, the Correctional Services Division of the Department of Justice. Text table 3.11    lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. Similar to adults, stand-alone restitution was available universally, but was issued and supervised by the Court. In response to the YCJA, the intensive support and supervision program was implemented. Community corrections services in Nova Scotia did not offer pre-trial supervision and electronic monitoring programs were not offered for youth.

Text table 3.11
Program availability,¹ Nova Scotia youth

Administration of programs

As is the case for adults, a probation officer is generally involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed. Contracted agencies, such as the John Howard Society, Salvation Army and some local municipal governments play a similar role in the supervision of youth as they do with that of adults.

 The administration of Nova Scotia's programs and services for youths is presented in text table 3.12 .

Text table 3.12
Program/service administration,¹ Nova Scotia youth

Probation officers in Nova Scotia supervise caseloads of both adult and young persons. As is the case with adults, community correctional services in Nova Scotia does not offer probation intake services at court. The court will order the offender to the nearest probation office to the court, after which the probation officer will direct the offender to his/her permanent office. Depending on the location, some probation officers work exclusively with young offender caseloads or intensive support and supervision caseloads.

Between 1995/96 and 2002/03, the average month-end count of young offenders on probation declined by more than 40%. Average month-end counts of young offenders in all community corrections programs have declined, by 57% for restitution orders and by 55% in the month-end count of young offenders with a community service order (table 9-4 ).

Supervision standards

Like adults, young offenders who receive a supervised probation order are assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. The level of supervision is the direct result of classification generated by the Youth Level of Service-Case Management Inventory (YLS-CMI) assessment tool. In some cases, the Adolescent Chemical Dependency Inventory (ACDI) is used to target the risks and needs specific to substance use. The YLS-CMI is administered upon intake of the client and is updated every six months thereafter.

There are five levels of supervision:

• Minimum: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once every three months.
• Medium: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once a month.
• Maximum: report at least twice a month to a probation officer or delegate.
• Reintegration: report at least four times a month to a probation officer or delegate.
• Intensive: report at least 12 times a month to a probation officer or delegate.

In 2002/03, most clients on probation were classified as medium risk (42%), 31% were classified as high risk, 18% as low risk, and 8% as intensive.

In addition to an update every six months, the assessment is re-administered to the young offender if an additional probation order is given or, in some cases, a new offence is committed. Probation officers have the discretion to re-classify the offender to a more intensive level of supervision with or without a new risk/needs assessment.

Pre-disposition reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 675 pre-disposition reports. In comparison, there were 1,290 disposed youth cases concluded that year. ¹⁴

New Brunswick ¹⁵

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional service programs in New Brunswick are administered by the Community and Correctional Services Division of the Department of Public Safety. Text table 3.13  lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. While most were available universally, community corrections services in New Brunswick did not offer stand-alone community service orders, pre-trial supervision, intensive supervision, or electronic monitoring programs for adults.

Text table 3.13
Program availability,¹ New Brunswick adults

Administration of programs

In some locations in New Brunswick, probation officers supervise caseloads of both adult and young offenders. Correctional service staff in the Department of Public Safety, other than probation officers (e.g. institutional staff), are responsible for the supervision of offenders in the temporary absence program. For all other available community programs or services, a probation officer is generally involved in the supervision of an offender. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed. Contracted agencies such as the John Howard Society, the Elsibogtog First Nation and the Chipman Community Resource Centre are also involved in the supervision or administration of the alternative measures program.

For the most part, a probation officer refers a client in the fine option program or alternative measures to a contracted agency after the initial intake of a client. The supervision of a client under these programs is principally the responsibility of the contracted worker.While the probation officer may maintain contact with the contracted agencies for the duration of a client’s participation in the program, the probation officer does not assume a large supervisory role unless the individual fails to complete the directives of the alternative measures order.

The administration of New Brunswick's programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.14 .

Text table 3.14
Program/service administration,¹ New Brunswick adults

New Brunswick's fine option program is available for all fines for provincial offences, the Criminal Code of Canada , other federal offences and municipal by-laws. Victim surcharges on fines are excluded from the fine option program. A client can elect entry into the program before an issuance of a warrant of committal. Provincial minimum wage is used to determine the number of hours to be worked to pay off the fine. ¹⁶Admissions to the fine option program have declined by nearly 60% between 1993/94 (1,252) and 2002/03 (519) (table 6-5 ).

There are no probation intake services offered at court by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker.

Approximately 5% of New Brunswick's probation officers are Aboriginal. Depending on the location, probation officers carry specialised offender caseloads. Some probation officers work exclusively with sex offenders.

Volunteers in New Brunswick community corrections provide client supervision and case management to individuals on alternative measures.

The average month-end count of offenders on probation declined by 21% between 1993/94 and 2002/03 (table 7-5 ). The introduction of the conditional sentence in 1996 does not appear to have made an immediate impact on the makeup of the offender caseload for probation officers in New Brunswick. In 1997/98, the first full year that admission data was available, there were 596 admissions for a conditional sentence. By 2002/03, admissions had only increased by 1% (table6-5  ).

Supervision standards

Adults who receive a supervised probation order or conditional sentence longer than 30 days are assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. The level of supervision is the direct result of classification generated by the risk/needs assessment. New Brunswick uses the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) as the main tool for risk/needs assessment. In some cases, STATIC 99 is administered to sexual offenders to obtain further information. The LSI-R is administered upon intake of the client and is updated every six months thereafter. Program delivery differs according to the level of supervision assigned to an offender.

There are three levels of supervision:

• Low: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once every two months.
• Medium: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once a month.
• High: report to a probation officer or delegate at least twice a month.

In 2002/03, the largest proportion of clients on supervised probation were classified as medium risk (36%), 33% were classified as low risk, and the remaining 31% were high risk.

If a client receives an additional probation order the assessment is re-administered and may result in a new classification.

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 1,260 pre-sentence reports. In comparison, there were 7,207 sentenced adult cases concluded that year. ¹⁷

Youth

Introduction

Young offenders in New Brunswick are supervised by staff in the same Ministry responsible for adult offenders, the Community and Correctional Services Division of the Department of Public Safety. Text table 3.15 lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. As is the case for adult offenders, young offenders may receive “stand-alone” restitution universally in the province. Also like adults, community correctional services in New Brunswick did not offer pre-trial supervision and electronic monitoring programs for youth.

Text table 3.15
Program availability,¹ New Brunswick youth

Administration of programs

As is the case for adults, a probation officer is generally involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed. The same contracted agencies used for adult offender supervision - the John Howard Society, the Elsibogtog First Nation and the Chipman Community Resource Centre - play a similar role in the supervision of young offenders. Contracted agencies are also involved in the supervision of offenders in the intensive support and supervision program.

The administration of New Brunswick's programs and services for youth is presented in Text table 3.16 .

Text table 3.16
Program/service administration,¹ New Brunswick youth

Comparable to the services offered to adults, New Brunswick does not offer probation intake services at court, by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker for youth.

Depending on the location, some probation officers work exclusively with young offenders in intensive support and supervision programs.

As stated previously, probation officers in New Brunswick supervise caseloads of both adult and youth. Between 1990/00 and 2002/03, admissions to probation declined by 18%, or from 862 to 711 admissions  ¹⁸ (table 8-5 ).

Between 1999/00 and 2002/03, the average month-end counts of young offenders on supervised probation show a slight increase from 951 in 1999/00 to 960 in 2002/03 (table 9-5 ).

Supervision standards

Like adults, young offenders who receive a supervised probation order are assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. The level of supervision is the direct result of classification generated by the Youthful Offender-Level of Service Inventory (Y-LSI) assessment tool. This formal risk/needs assessment is used to determine the frequency of contact with a probation officer. In some cases, a competency-based assessment or a family assessment tool is used to obtain social, educational, mental and physical health information about the youth. Generally, parents answer questions about themselves and the young offender regarding the youth's development to help determine areas of priority during supervision. Young offenders also contribute information to the assessment. Program delivery differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the young offender.

There are three levels of supervision:

• Low: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once every three months.
• Medium: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once a month.
• High: report at least twice a month to a probation officer or delegate.

The vast majority (80%) of young offenders on supervised probation are classified as medium risk. Young offenders classified as low risk represent 18% of the caseload while only 2% of young offenders are classified as high risk.

The Y-LSI, is administered upon intake of the client and is updated every six months thereafter. Similar to adults, the assessment is re-administered to the young offender if an additional supervised probation order or other community order is given.

Pre-disposition reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 669 pre-disposition reports completed by a probation officer. In comparison, there were 1,466 disposed youth cases concluded that year. ¹⁹

Quebec ²⁰

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional services programs in Quebec are administered by the Correctional Services Division of the Ministry of Public Safety. Text table 3.17  lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2002/2003. While most programswere available province-wide, restitution orders were managed by the Ministry of Justice. As well, electronic monitoring and pre-trial supervision were not available in the province.

Text table 3.17
Program availability,¹ Quebec adult

Administration of programs

Generally, a probation officer is responsible for supervising the client for all available programs. In cases where the sentence (e.g., community service) involves direct interaction with other members of the community, agencies participate in supervision. Contact between the contracted agencies is maintained during the supervision, and the probation officer assumes responsibility for opening and closing files and laying administrative and legal charges, such as a breach of conditions if the conditions of the supervision are not met. For conditional sentencing, it is up to the Minister to designate "correctional officers," who may be designated as probation officers, correctional service officers or community resources personnel.

The administration of Quebec's programs and services for adults is shown in text table 3.18 .

Text table 3.18
Program/service administration¹, Quebec adults

Probation officers in Quebec supervise only adult offenders. They do not supervise persons on federal parole, since those persons come under the Correctional Service Canada. However, Quebec employs probation officers to supervise offenders and administer all programs and services in the province.

The introduction of conditional sentencing might have contributed to reducing the number of probation cases. Admissions to conditional sentences have increased 28% since 1997/98 (the first year for which data are available). At the same time, the average number of offenders on probation rose 10%, from 7,809 in 1997/98 to 8,552 in 2002/03 (table 7-6 ).

In some parts of the province, probation intake services are provided at court, by way of a court liaison worker.

In some places in Quebec, probation officers carry specialised offender caseloads. For example, some probation officers work exclusively with sexual offenders while others work with mentally disordered offenders.

Less then 1% of probation officers in Quebec are Aboriginal.

Quebec offers a fine option program for individuals who have been ordered to pay a fine under a provincial statute, the Criminal Code, a municipal by-law or another federal statute. This program is especially intended for financially disadvantaged persons. While the exact amount of the credit granted to the offender for the work performed is not known, it is greater than the minimum wage.

Volunteers are not used for intaking adult offenders in Quebec. However, volunteers are involved in escort activities.

Supervision standards

As part of the assessment, a level of supervision is generated to guide the supervision and management of the offender. The offenders' frequency of contact with a probation officer differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the offender. Each offender is classified into one of three levels of supervision: low, medium, or high.

Quebec uses a clinical evaluation to establish a correctional action plan. This evaluation of offenders is conducted upon intake and is reviewed if another sentence is imposed on the offender.

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/2003, probation officers completed 4, 131 pre-sentence reports of which 4,079 were in wrinting and 52 were presented verbally to the court. In comparison 12,822 adult sentenced cases were coincluded that year.

Youth

Introduction

Youth correctional services in Quebec are the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, which draws on the services of regional youth centres. Text table 3.19  lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2002/2003. While most programs were available universally in the province, the intensive supervision program was available only in certain locations. Electronic monitoring and pre-trial supervision were unavailable in the province.

Text table 3.19
Program availability¹, Quebec youth

Administration of programs

As already noted, supervision of young offenders in Quebec is provided by a great number of agencies. In cases where supervision is not the main responsibility of the probation officer, the latter is responsible for opening and closing files and bringing charges of an administrative nature, such as a breach, if the conditions of the supervision are violated.

The administration of programs and services for youths in Quebec is presented in text table 3.20 .

Once young persons are sentenced, the Quebec government provides intake services at court. The intake worker conducts a formal intake of the young person and then refers him/her to the appropriate services.

The fine option program is available for youths who have been fined under a provincial law or a municipal by-law. Youths can elect entry into the program at any stage in the process up to the point of admission to custody and can earn a credit of $10 per hour of work.

Text table 3.20
Program/service administration¹, Quebec youth

As is the case for adults, volunteers are not used in community services for youth.

There are no specialist probation officers within youth community services.

Supervision standards

As part of a formal assessment, a level of supervision is established to guide the supervision of the offender and the management of his/her case. The frequency of the offender's contact with a probation officer differs depending on the level of supervision assigned to the offender. As well, the intensity or the type of contact (i.e., over the telephone or in person) for the supervision is left up to the probation officer.

All young persons in Quebec who are under a supervised probation, community service order, alternative measures program or a temporary absence are administered a risk/needs assessment. If needed, social and substance abuse assessments are also administered. Cases are reviewed every three months thereafter. Another assessment is conducted if an additional Community Service Order is given. Quebec uses a criminometric youth inventory as its main tool for assessing risks and needs. It also administers a test to assess clients’ level of maturity and delinquency.

Pre-disposition reports

Quebec could not provide report data.

Ontario ²¹

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional service programs in Ontario are administered by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Text table 3.21  lists the community corrections programs and services available in 2004. While most programs were available universally, electronic monitoring was only available in certain locations. Community correctional services did not provide for stand-alone community service orders, restitution orders, alternative measures or a fine option program.

Text table 3.21
Program availability,¹ Ontario adults

Administration of programs

For offenders with community service orders and restitution orders, contracted agencies such as John Howard and the Salvation Army are used to assist with supervision and administration. Typically, a probation officer refers the offender to a contracted agency for completion of the hours in the community service order. The supervision of the client during this time is primarily the responsibility of the contracted worker. While the probation officer may maintain contact with the contracted agencies for the duration of a client's participation in the program, the probation officer does not assume a large supervisory role unless there is a need to administer a breach of the community order or until the hours for a CSO are completed.

The administration of Ontario's programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.22 .

Text table 3.22
Program/service administration,¹ Ontario adults

Prior to April 2004, adults and young offenders aged 16 and 17 were supervised under one Ministry. During this time, probation officers may have been responsible for the supervision of both adult and young offender caseloads. Since April 1, 2004, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services has assumed responsibility for the supervision of all young offenders, aged 12 to 17 years.

Depending on the location, Ontario offers probation intake services at court, by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker. Generally, probation offers who serve as court liaison officers refer offenders to a home office for management of their sentence, or refer an offender to a program or service related to the sentence of the offender. Court liaison officers also conduct formal intakes of offenders.

Some probation officers in Ontario may also carry specialised offender caseloads such as offenders in the intensive stream and offenders with sexual offences. While it is unknown how many of Ontario's probation officers are Aboriginal, 36 Native community officers provide community correctional services in remote areas and reserves in the province. Volunteers are used in Ontario to assist with client supervision. Volunteers may also assist in the preparation of risk/needs assessments and reports such as pre-sentence reports.

Admissions to probation in Ontario (phase 1) have increased by 11% from 35,854 in 1993/34 to 39,778 in 2002/03 (table 6-7 ).

The average count of offenders with a conditional sentence increased by 65% between 1997/98 and 2002/03, or from 1,971 to 3,246. Provincial probation officers supervise provincial parolees through Ontario's provincial parole system. In recent years, Ontario has substantially reduced its use of provincial parole. The average offender count decreased by 88% between 1993/94 (1,772) and 2002/03 (210) (table 7-7 ).

Supervision standards

Adults who receive a supervised probation order, conditional sentence, parole, or who are applying for electronic surveillance or a temporary absence are administered a risk/needs assessment. The risk/needs level generated by the assessment is used to help determine the offender's level of supervision.

Ontario uses the Level of Service Inventory-Ontario Revised (LSI-OR) as the main tool for risk/needs assessment. If applicable, a Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA) is administered to obtain further information about the client. Ontario also uses a general dynamic sex offender assessment tool for sex offenders.

The LSI-OR assessment tool is administered to the applicable offenders upon intake and is re-administered no later than every six months thereafter. If an offender receives an additional community order the assessment is readministered to the client. If a probation officer feels that a new assessment is warranted, one may be administered and the offender may be re-classified.

Ontario probation officers administer services to sentenced offenders based on four intervention/service streams. The placement of the offender into each of these streams is based, in part, on the result of the LSI-OR score. The offenders’ frequency of contact with a probation officer differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the offender as does the type of service offered. While some fluidity exists among the service streams, such as the opportunity for an intensive stream offender to attend rehabilitative programs delivered in the rehabilitative group stream, the level of supervision increases with the risk level of the offender. There are four service streams in this administration model:

• Basic service: generally very low or low risk offenders. Typically, required to report to a probation officer or delegate once a month. ²²
• Rehabilitative group: typically low to medium risk offenders assessed as being suitable for group programs such as anger management, substance abuse. Required to report to a probation officer or delegate at once a month if LSI-OR is medium, and two to four times a month if LSI-OR is High.
• Individual service: generally reserved for higher risk (medium to very high) offenders. Required to report at two to four times a month to a probation officer or delegate if high risk or very high risk
• Intensive: required to report to a probation officer at least two to four times a month. ²³

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 6,697 pre-sentence reports were completed by a probation officer, of which 161 were presented orally to the court. In comparison, there were 114,792 sentenced adult cases concluded that year. ²⁴

Youth (Phase 1) ²⁵

Introduction

As of April 1, 2004, all youth justice services became the responsibility of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Prior to this time, young offenders were administered in two separate Ministries, determined by the age of the young offender. All youth aged 12 to 15 (Phase 1) were the responsibility of the Ministry of Community and Social Services. The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services assumed responsibility of 16 and 17 year old youth (Phase 2), as well as all adults in correctional programs. While the amalgamation of all youth under one Ministry has removed the distinction between Phase 1 and 2 young offenders, this report covers the administration of programs and services of young offenders prior to this change of Ministry responsibility. Consequently, the two youth divisions will be discussed separately.

Text table 3.23  lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in for youth, aged 12 to 15 years in 2003/04.

Administration of programs

A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed. Contracted agencies, such as the John Howard Society, Salvation Army and some local municipal governments, such as Toronto Youth Services, play a similar role in the supervision of youth as they do with that of adults. Contracted agencies are also involved in the supervision of alternative measures. The administration of Ontario's programs and services for Phase 1 youth are presented in text table 3.24 .

Text table 3.23
Program availability,¹ Ontario youth (Phase 1)

Text table 3.24
Program/service administration,¹ Ontario youth (Phase 1)

Similar to the program delivery for adults, probation intake services at court are offered to Phase 1 young offenders, by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker for youth. In some locations a liaison officer conducts a formal intake and may refer the youth to a program or service.

Data for 2002/03 are not available. Generally the trend of both admissions and average offender counts have been on the decline (tables 8-7  and 9-7 ).

Supervision standards

Young offenders who receive a supervised probation order are given a risk/needs assessment. Offenders are then assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. The assessment closely resembles the LSI-OR, which is used to assess 16 to 17 year olds.

The levels of supervision are based in part on the assessment the result of risk/needs assessment. Subsequently, the youth is classified into one of three levels of supervision:

• Low: must report to a probation officer once a month.
• Medium: must report to a probation officer twice a month.
• High: must report to a probation officer four times a month.

Like adults, some Phase 1 offenders may also be classified as 'administrative' if reporting to a probation officer is only required at the commencement and the end of the sentence. If an offender receives an additional community order the assessment is re-administered to the client.

Pre-disposition reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 2,187 pre-disposition reports, of which 55 were presented orally to the court. ²⁶

Youth (Phase 2)

Introduction

As previously stated on April 1, 2004, all youth justice services became the responsibility of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Prior to this time, youth aged 16 and 17 years were the responsibility of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Consequently, the administration of Phase 2 youth closely parallels that of adults.

Text table 3.25  lists lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in the area of community corrections for Phase 2 youth in 2003/04. While an intensive supervision and electronic monitoring program was available to adults in Ontario, these programs did not exist for youth.

Text table 3.25
Program availability,¹ Ontario youth (Phase 2)

Administration of programs

As is the case for adults, a probation officer is generally involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed. Contracted agencies, such as the John Howard Society, Salvation Army and some local municipal governments, such as Toronto Youth Services, play a similar role in the supervision of youth as they do with adults. However, contracted agencies are also involved in the supervision of alternative measures while this is not the case for adults. The administration of Ontario's programs and services for Phase 2 youth is presented in text table 3.26 .

Text table 3.26
Program/service administration,¹ Ontario youth (Phase 2)

Prior to 2002/03, probation officers in Ontario supervised caseloads of both adult and Phase 2 young offenders. As of April 2004 this is no longer the case. Similar to the program delivery for adults, probation intake services at court were offered to Phase 2 young offenders by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker for youth. While Phase 2 youth were under the responsibility of the same Ministry responsible for adult offenders, some probation officers worked exclusively with the young offender caseload, depending on the location.

In the last decade, the average month-end count of Phase 2 young offenders on probation increased by 9%, from to 8,925 in 1993/94 to 9,692 in 2002/03 (table 9-8 ).

Admissions of young offenders aged 16 and 17 to alternative measures declined by 13% during the same time period (table 8-8 ). However, the average count of young offenders to alternative measures increased by 30% (table 9-8 ). These data suggest that the length of time a young offender spends in the alternative measures program has increased, despite an overall decrease in the number of offenders admitted to alternative measures.

Supervision standards

Phase 2 young offenders who receive a supervised probation order are also assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. The level of supervision is the direct result of classification generated by the Level of Service Inventory-Ontario Revised (LSI-OR), the same assessment used for adults in Ontario. The risk/needs level generated by the assessment is used to help determine the offender's level of supervision. The risk/needs assessment produces five levels of supervision: very low; low; medium; high; and very high.

Programs and services are administered to sentenced Phase 2 offenders based on four intervention/service streams. The placement of the offender into each of these streams is based, in part, on the result of the LSI-OR score. The offenders’ frequency of contact with a probation officer differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the offender as does the type of service offered. While some fluidity exists among the service streams, such as the opportunity for an intensive stream offender to attend rehabilitative programs delivered in the rehabilitative group stream, the level of supervision increases with the risk and more individualised service stream. There are four service streams in this administration model:

• Basic service: generally very low or low risk offenders. Typically, required to report to a probation officer or delegate once a month. ²⁷
• Rehabilitative group: typically low to medium risk offenders assessed as being suitable for group programs such as anger management, substance abuse. Required to report to a probation officer or delegate at once a month if LSI-OR is medium, and two to four times a month if LSI-OR is high.
• Individual service: generally reserved for higher risk (medium to very high) offenders. Required to report at two to four times a month to a probation officer or delegate if high risk or very high risk.
• Intensive: required to report to a probation officer at least two to four times a month.

Like adults, some Phase 2 offenders may also be classified as 'administrative' if reporting to a probation officer is not required.

As is the case for adults, the LSI-OR is administered to young offenders upon intake and is re-administered, at maximum, every six months. If an offender receives an additional community order the assessment is re-administered to the client. If a probation officer feels that a new assessment is warranted, due to significant changes in the treatment or life of the offender, a new risk/needs assessment would be administered and the offender re-classified.

Pre-disposition reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 2,187 pre-disposition reports, of which 55 were submitted orally to the court. ²⁸

Manitoba ²⁹

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional service programs in Manitoba are administered by the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General. Text table 3.27  the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004.

Text table 3.27
Program availability,¹ Manitoba adults

Administration of programs

Generally, a probation officer is involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed. Depending on program type, an array of professionals including RCMP officers, correctional service ministry and/or contracted agencies may assist with the supervision of offenders.

The administration of Manitoba's programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.28 .

Depending on location, probation officers in Manitoba supervise caseloads of both adult and young offenders. Manitoba does not offer probation intake services at court.

Text table 3.28
Program/service administration,¹ Manitoba adults

Manitoba’s fine option program is available for the majority of fines for provincial offences (excluding the Highway Traffic Act), the Criminal Code of Canada, other federal offences or municipal by-law infractions (excluding parking tickets). Between 1995/96 and 2002/03, the average count of individuals in the fine option program has decreased by 57%, or from 1,284 to 550 offenders (table 7-8 ).

An individual who has been ordered to pay a fine can elect entry into the program up to admission to custody. Provincial minimum wage is used to determine the number of hours to be worked to pay off the fine. ³⁰

Depending on the location, probation officers may carry specialised offender caseloads. Some probation officers work exclusively with females, partner abuse, sexual or random assault offenders. In Manitoba, 53% of probation officers are Aboriginal.

Volunteers in Manitoba play a varied role in community corrections programs and services. Volunteers provide client supervision and counselling. They may also prepare in-office reports or conduct offender intakes or risk/needs assessments.

Between 1993/94 and 2002/03, the overall trend of admissions to probation in Manitoba has increased by 18%. However, this increase in the number of admissions was driven by an increase in the caseload between 1993/94 and 1998/99. Between 2000/01 and 2002/03, admissions have decreased by almost 49% (table 6-8 ). Moreover, the average counts of offenders on probation rose by 23% between 1995/96 and 2002/03, suggesting that probation orders have been increasing in duration (table 7-8 ).

Supervision standards

Adults who receive a supervised probation order or pre-trial supervision order in Manitoba receive a risk/needs assessment. Levels of supervision do not directly result from the assessment. Manitoba uses the Offender Risk Assessment Management System (ORAMS). A risk/needsassessment is administered upon intake of the client and is updated when there is any change to the offender’s case file (e.g. a new offence or completing a rehabilitative program). Clients are also administered a responsivity test. This test measures the client’s level of receptiveness to rehabilitative programs.

Depending on the type of offence, clients are placed into a category of supervision. If the offender was convicted of assault or sexual assault, he/she enters Level 1 supervision. Offenders who have not been convicted of assault or sexual assault enter Level 2 supervision.

Supervision standards are described below:

• Comprehensive case management (Level 1): Regardless of risk rating, sexual or general assault offenders are placed in comprehensive case management. Offenders must have in-person contact with a probation officer at least once per month. The client must also contact the probation officer on the telephone at least once per month. Collateral contacts - which are contacts with an acquaintance of the client (i.e. family member or employer) must take place at least once per month.
• Alternate offenders' management (Level 2): Offenders on probation or in pre-trial supervision for offences other than sexual or general assault are placed into alternate offenders' management. They are assessed and placed into one of the following supervision levels.

• High: meet in person with a probation officer once a month and have one other interaction type per month. Meet with a collateral contact once a month.
• Medium: report, in person, to a probation officer once a month, collateral contact once a month.
• Low: report in person to a probation officer once a month.

Probation officers make a reassessment of the offender's supervision level after 2/3 of the sentence has been completed. At this point, an offender can move supervision levels or to comprehensive case management (Level 1).

Pre-sentence reports

Manitoba could not provide report data.

Youth

Introduction

Youth community correctional services programs in Manitoba are administered by Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General. Text table 3.29  lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. Community corrections services in Manitoba did not offer electronic monitoring programs to youth.

Text table 3.29
Program availability,¹ Manitoba youth

Administration of programs

As is the case for adults, a probation officer is generally involved in the supervision of a young person for every available program or service. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed.

Depending on the location, probation officers carry specialised offender caseloads. Some probation officers work exclusively with sexual, random assault or female offenders. With the introduction of the YCJA on April 1st, 2004, Manitoba employs probation officers who specialize in YCJA sentences.

The administration of Manitoba's programs and services for young offenders is presented in text table 3.30 .

Text table 3.30
Program/service administration,¹ Manitoba youth

Between 2000/01 and 2002/03, admissions to probation have decreased 8%, or from 1,183 in 2000/01 to 1,087 in 2002/03 (table 8-9 ). However, during the same period, the average count of young offenders on probation has generally increased (28%) (table 9-9 ). As is the case for adults, this suggests an increase in the duration of time being served on probation.

Youth who are given a fine as a result of provincial offences (excluding the Highway Traffic Act), Criminal Code, and other federal or municipal by-laws (excluding parking tickets) can elect to enter a fine option program. Youth can elect entry into the program up to the issuance of a warrant of committal, but not after. Credits are earned at the rate of the provincial minimum wage. ³¹

Volunteers in Manitoba provide client supervision, counselling and initial intake services.

Supervision standards

Young persons who receive a supervised probation order are administered a risk/needs assessment. The program delivery and frequency of contact with a probation officer differ according to the level of supervision assigned to the young offender. Supervision levels are structured in the same way as adults. As is the case for adults, levels of supervision do not directly result from the assessment and depend on the type of offence. If the offender was convicted of sexual or general assault, he/she enters Level 1 supervision. Offenders not guilty of assault or sexual assault enters Level 2 supervision. Supervision standards are described below.

• Comprehensive case management: Level 1: Regardless of risk rating sexual assault offenders or offender with domestic or general assault are placed in comprehensive case management. Offenders must meet in person contact with a probation officer at least once per month. The client must also contact the probation officer other contact at least on the telephone at least once per month. Collateral contact - which is contact with an acquaintance of the client i.e. family member or employer at least once per month.
• Alternate offenders management: Level 2: Offenders not guilty of a sexual or general assault are placed into alternate offenders management and assessed, and placed into a risk level. Any offender can then qualify to move up to the comprehensive case management.

• High: meet in person with a probation officer once a month and have one other interaction type per month. Meet with a collateral contact once a month.
• Medium: report, in person, to a probation officer once a month, collateral contact once a month.
• Low: report in person to a probation officer once a month.

Probation officers make a reassessment after two-thirds of the sentence has been completed. Probation officers have discretion to re-classify the offender to another level of supervision with or without a new risk/needs assessment.

Pre-disposition reports

Manitoba could not provide report data.

Saskatchewan ³²

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional programs in Saskatchewan are administered by the Adult Corrections Branch of the Department of Corrections and Public Safety. Text table 3.31  lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. With the exception of stand-alone restitution, stand-alone community service orders and the temporary absence program, all other programs were available.

Text table 3.31
Program availability,¹ Saskatchewan adults

Administration of programs

The administration of community correctional programs in Saskatchewan involves a diverse group of individuals comprised of probation officers, specialists, electronic monitoring officers and volunteers. Agencies are contracted out for the fine option program, alternative measures program and community service orders. Electronic monitoring can be applied to individuals in conditional sentences, probation and pre-trial supervision programs.

The fine option program allows individuals who have been ordered to pay a fine the option to work rather than pay the fine off directly. Individuals may choose the fine option program up to the point of an issuance of a warrant of committal, but not after. He/she is credited the amount of minimum wage ³³per hour towards the fine for every hour that is worked. All individuals who are issued fines for Criminal Code and other federal offences, provincial offences, and for municipal by-laws are eligible for the program. Between 1996/97 and 2002/03, admissions to the fine option program have decreased 42%, from 13,345 to 7,763 (table 6-9 ).

The administration of Saskatchewan's programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.32 .

Text table 3.32
Program/Service administration,¹ Saskatchewan adults

Saskatchewan does not offer probation intake services at court. Saskatchewan also uses specialist probation officers who work exclusively with sexual assault or family violence cases. Probation officers supervise either adult or youth cases, but not both. In 2002/03, there were 113 adult probation officers, of which 20% were Aboriginal.

In recent years, an important goal of correctional services in Saskatchewan has been to decrease the use of pre-trial detention for individuals awaiting trial. As a result, admissions to pre-trial supervision have doubled between 1996/97 to 2002/03, from 453 to 965 clients (table 6-9 ).

Supervision standards

Adults who receive a supervised probation order, conditional sentence or pre-trial supervision are administered a risk/needs assessment. As a result of this formal assessment, a level of supervision is generated to guide the supervision and management of the offender. The offender's frequency of contact with a probation officer differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the offender. Each offender is classified into one of three levels of supervision: low, medium or high.

Saskatchewan uses the Offender Risk Assessment Management System(ORAMS). The jurisdiction also uses secondary assessments for assault. Two assessments are used, SONAR and STATIC-99, in sexual offender cases. The assessments are administered to the applicable offenders upon intake. The offender is reassessed if he/she is given additional community orders. The assessment helps to match the degree and the type of supervision to the offender. Once an assessment had been administered there is no prescribed time frame between reassessments.

In 2002/2003, over half (54%) of offenders on probation were classified as high risk. Another 37% were classified as medium risk and the remaining 9% were classified as low risk offenders.

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 5,177 pre-sentence reports. In comparison, there were 17,421 sentenced adult cases concluded that year. ³⁴

Youth

Introduction

Youth community correctional service programs in Saskatchewan are administered by the Young Offender Programs Branch in the Department of Corrections and Public Safety. While adults and youth are both supervised under the same department, the supervision of adults and youth is maintained separately and probation officers carry youth caseloads only. Text table 3.33  lists lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. Most programs were offered universally throughout the province. Electronic monitoring had limited availability in the province, while community corrections services in Saskatchewan did not offer stand-alone restitution and stand-alone community service.

Text table 3.33
Program availability,¹ Saskatchewan youth

Administration of programs

Programs in Saskatchewan are administered by community youth workers (probation officers) and judicial interim release (pre-trial supervision) workers. The administration of Saskatchewan's programs and services for youths is presented in text table 3.34 .

Text table 3.34
Program/service administration,¹ Saskatchewan youth

Community youth workers develop and manage Community Safety Plans which are developed to address both the level of supervision and the required programs a youth needs to reduce the likelihood of offending behaviour (e.g. - transition to school or employment, alcohol or drug treatment, cognitive behavioural program). Agencies or individuals are contracted to deliver the alternative measures program, and support services as well as community service and restitution orders.

The fine option program is available for youth that incur fines under Provincial and municipal legislation only. Young persons are credited with the amount of minimum wage per hour towards the fine for every hour that is worked. ³⁵

In Saskatchewan there are 109 community youth workers (probation officers). Approximately 23% are Aboriginal.

The use of probation for young offenders has been on the decline in recent years. Admissions to probation have decreased 12% between 1998/99 and 2002/03 (table 8-10 ). Although admissions give an indication of the number of entries in a program for a period of time, average counts indicate the volume of young persons supervised. Average counts have increased 4% over the same time period from 1,735 to 1,805 in 2002/03. This indicates an increase in the duration of probation orders ³⁶(table 9-10 ).

Supervision standards

Saskatchewan uses the Level of Service Inventory-Saskatchewan Youth Edition as their primary risk/needs assessment. Youths who receive a reporting court order (e.g. probation, deferred custody) or, depending on location, an alternative measures program, are administered the assessment which results in a community safety plan, that is comprised of assigned levels of supervision. The frequency of contact between the community youth worker (probation officer) and the offender differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the offender.

Each offender is classified into one of three levels of supervision:

• Low: an offender's reporting structure is not specified as it is developed as part of the case planning process.
• Medium: In the first month of involvement, the offender must report to a community youth worker (probation officer) in person at least once per week, as well as over the telephone once per week. A minimum of one in-person contact and one telephone contact is required every 2 weeks thereafter.
• High: In the first month of involvement, the offender must report to a probation officer in person every 48 hours. A minimum of one in-person contact per week is required thereafter.

A review of the young person’s level of risk to re-offend is conducted once per year or as circumstance require. The risk/needs assessment module on the offender tracking system is still under development, so it is unknown what proportion of young persons are classified within each level of supervision.

Pre-disposition reports

Saskatchewan could not provide report data.

Alberta ³⁷

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional service programs in Alberta are administered by the Correctional Services Division of the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Public Security. Text table 3.35  the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. Alberta did not offer an electronic monitoring program for adults, although community corrections is planning a pilot program for 2005.

Text table 3.35
Program availability,¹ Alberta adults

Administration of programs

Generally, a probation officer is involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed.

Alberta contracts with four First Nation Community Corrections Societies for the provision of community corrections programs to meet the needs of offenders residing in aboriginal communities. These contracted agencies deliver all community corrections programming for both adults and youth in their respective communities. Trained probation officers in these contracted agencies have the same roles and responsibilities as probation officers employed by the ministry. The supervision of the client during these programs is principally the responsibility of the contracted worker. All of their cases are received directly from the courts. The contracted agencies are responsible for filing their own breaches and liaise with their local courts as required.

The administration of Alberta's programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.36 .

Text table 3.36
Program/service administration,¹ Alberta adults

Probation officers in Alberta supervise mixed caseloads of both adult and young offenders.

Alberta’s fine option program is available for all fines for provincial offences, the Criminal Code of Canada, or other federal offences. Fines for municipal by-law infractions are not eligible for the fine option program.Between 1993/94 and 2002/03, admissions to the fine option program have declined by more than 58%. An individual can elect entry into the program up to and including admission to custody. Provincial minimum wage is used to determine the number of hours to be worked to pay off the fine. ³⁸

Alberta offers probation intake services at court, depending on the location of the court, by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker. Where court liaison officers exist, he/she may conduct a formal intake of an offender or refer the offender to a program or service.

Depending on the location, probation officers may carry specialised offender caseloads. Some probation officers work exclusively with high risk or high profile offenders, or offenders requiring minimum supervision. Some probation officers also specialise in domestic violence caseloads or in writing reports such as pre-sentence reports.

Of all uncontracted probation officers in Alberta, approximately 15% are Aboriginal. As noted previously, Aboriginal societies are used to provide offender supervision and administration in Aboriginal communities across Alberta.

Volunteers provide client supervision and case management, counselling, and secretarial/clerical assistance. They may also prepare in-office reports or may conduct offender intakes or risk/needs assessments.

The average month-end count of offenders on probation increased by more than 14% between 1993/94 (7,414) and 2002/03 (8,468) (table 7-10 ). In recent years, probation officers in Alberta have been responsible for an increasing number of individuals in the alternative measures program. Since the program’s inception in 1997/98, the average count of individuals in alternative measures has increased by more than 33%, from 643 in 1997/98 to 856 in 2002/03 (table 7-10 ).

Between 1993/94 and 2002/03, there has been a notable increase in caseloads of 'Other' community programs and services. Peace bonds and recognizances, such as those sanctioned under sec. 810.1 of the Criminal Code, represent most of the caseload found in the 'Other' category. Community surveillance and treatment orders are also found in the 'Other' category. Over the ten-year period, the number of admissions to 'Other' community sanctions increased from 350 to 1,852 admissions, an increase of 429% (table 6-10 ).

Restitution order and temporary absence admissions have each experienced a steady decline between 1993/94 and 2002/03, by 90% and 92% respectively. As is the case with most provinces and territories, the introduction of the conditional sentence in 1996 has also changed the makeup of the offender caseload for probation officers. Between 1997/98, the first year where full data are available, and 2002/03, the number of admissions to a conditional sentenced increased by 18% (table 6-10 ).

Supervision standards

Adults who receive a community corrections sanction in Alberta are initially classified as either Level 1 or Level 2 offenders. Level 1 offenders generally include offenders with conditional sentences and high risk or high profile offenders. For example, all offenders with a community sanction or a program for a sexual offence are assigned an intensive Level 1 category. Level 2 offenders are typically adult offenders on probation, pre-trial supervision and peace bonds other than those sanctioned under sec. 810.1 of the Criminal Code.

Level 1 and 2 offenders are each assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. The level of supervision is the direct result of classification generated by the Offender Risk Assessment Management System (ORAMS). A risk/needs assessment is administered upon intake of the client and is updated every six months thereafter. If a client receives an additional supervised probation order or conditional sentence, the assessment is re-administered to the client.

The offenders' frequency of contact with a probation officer differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the offender. Offenders are each classified into one of three levels of supervision:

Level 1

• Minimum: report to a probation officer or delegate once every month.
• Medium: report to a probation officer or delegate twice per month.
• High: report to a probation officer or delegate weekly, in person.

Level 2

• Minimum: report to a probation officer or delegate once every two months.
• Medium: report once a month to a probation officer or delegate.
• High: report to a probation officer or delegate twice a month.

In 2002/03, most clients on probation were classified as low risk (40%). Approximately 31% of the caseload was classified as medium risk and 15% of the caseload is classified as high. In addition to the three levels of supervision, some offenders may be classified as 'administrative' if there is no requirement to report to a probation officer. Nearly 15% of the caseload in Alberta is classified as administrative.

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 2,314 pre-sentence reports. In comparison, there were 38,229 sentenced adult cases that year. ³⁹

Youth

Introduction

All community correctional service programs for youth in Alberta are administered by the Youth Branch of the same Department as adult offenders, the Correctional Services Division of the Alberta Ministry of the Solicitor General and Public Security. Text table 3.37  the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. Similar to adults, electronic monitoring programs were not offered for youth.

Text table 3.37
Program availability,¹ Alberta youth

Administration of programs

As is the case for adults, a probation officer is generally involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed. First Nation community corrections societies are contracted for the supervision and administration of community corrections programming for youth. Like services for adults, these Aboriginal contractors deliver all community corrections programming to youth in their respective communities across Alberta. Other contracted agencies are also involved in the supervision of young persons with extrajudicial sanctions. Moreover, Alberta uses youth justice committees, which are voluntary in nature, in the administration of young offender programs in community corrections. Reports such as pre-sentence reports may also be contracted out to Aboriginal societies in Alberta.

The administration of Alberta's programs and services for young offenders is presented in text table 3.38 .

Text table 3.38
Program/service administration,¹ Alberta youth

Comparable to the services offered to adults, Alberta offers probation intake services at court, by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker for youth, depending on the location in the province. Court liaison officers conduct intakes and make referrals to various programs or services for young offenders.

Community corrections in Calgary are fully contracted to the City of Calgary's Community and Neighbourhood Services Department. Just as adult community corrections contracts services to fully accredited aboriginal societies, Alberta contracts all services to accredited youth probation officers within Calgary Community and Neighbourhood Services.

As stated previously, probation officers in Alberta supervise caseloads of both adult and young persons. Between 1993/94 and 2002/03, the average count of young offenders on probation declined by 10%. Moreover, the average count of young offenders with a community service order declined by 31% during the same time period. The average count of young offenders with a restitution order increased by 127% while the average count of youths in pre-trial supervision programs increased by 197% (table 9-11 ).

Supervision standards

Like adults in Alberta, young persons who receive a probation order are assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. Unlike adults however, risk/needs assessment tools are not used for young offenders in a community program or service. The level of supervision is not generated by a formal risk assessment tool. Rather, a level of supervision is assigned to a young offender after the intake assessment. The frequency of contact with a probation officer and program delivery differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the young offender. There are four levels of supervision:

• Low: report to a probation officer or delegate at least once per month.
• Medium: report to a probation officer or delegate at least twice a month.
• Intensive: report weekly to a probation officer or delegate.
• Enhanced intensive: report weekly to a probation officer or delegate and every second contact should be in the community. There are also a minimum of four collateral contacts per month. (Collateral contacts may include the young person's teachers, employer, or social worker).

Probation officers have discretion to re-classify the offender to another level of supervision at any time.

In 2002/03, 34% of young offenders on probation were classified as low risk. Nearly 26% of the caseload was classified as high risk, and 6% were classified as intensive. Like adults, some offenders may also be classified as ‘administrative’. Almost 35% of young offenders were administrative cases in 2002/03, including, for example, stand-alone community service orders.

Pre-disposition reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 1,669 pre-disposition reports completed by a probation officer. In comparison, 6,965 disposed youth cases were concluded that year. ⁴⁰

British Columbia ⁴¹

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional service programs in British Columbia are administered by the Corrections Branch of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Text table 3.39  lists lists the community corrections programs and services available in 2004. While most programs were available universally, community corrections inBritish Columbia did not offer stand-alone community service orders (CSO), a fine option program, or an intensive supervision program for adults.

Text table 3.39
Program availability,¹ British Columbia adults

Administration of programs

The administration of community correctional programs in British Columbia involves a diverse group of individuals comprised of probation officers and other staff members (para-professionals), who provide primary and secondary case management. The primary case manager is typically a probation officer who is responsible for the primary supervision of the offender while a secondary case manger may perform other duties, including assistance with selected aspects of case management.

Prior to 2001, many programs such as alternative measures and community service were contracted to various organizations (John Howard, Elizabeth Fry etc.). Since this time, all programs and sanctions are supervised and administered by para-professionals and other probation officers within the ministry. The current use of contracted agencies is regulated to Aboriginal populations, mostly in rural/remote areas of British Columbia

The administration of British Columbia's services for adults is presented in text table 3.40 .

Text table 3.40
Program/service administration,¹ British Columbia adults

Generally, probation officers in British Columbia supervise caseloads of either adult or young offenders, but not both. Adult probation officers in British Columbia supervise young offenders by exception only. British Columbia has a provincial parole board for release of provincial parolees. Probation officers are responsible for the supervision and administration of these offenders as well.

Depending on the location, British Columbia offers probation intake services at court, by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker. Generally, probation officers who serve as court liaison officers refer offenders to a home office for management of their sentence, or on occasion, refer an offender to a program or service related to the sentence of the offender.

Approximately 3% of British Columbia's probation officers are Aboriginal. In some locations of British Columbia, probation officers carry specialised offender caseloads. Some probation officers work exclusively with sexual, spouse assault or mentally disordered offenders.

Typically, volunteers are not used in British Columbia. In Aboriginal communities, volunteers may support Aboriginal justice programs in various Aboriginal communities. For example, volunteers would provide support to programs and treatment options by way of Elders in remote communities.

Between 1993/94 and 2002/03, admissions to probation have declined by 23%, or from 13,513 to 10,429, although the average offender count on probation remained relatively stable. The number of intakes to provincial parole has also declined in British Columbia, dropping by nearly 25%, or from 559 in 1993/94 to 420 in 2002/03. As is the case for almost all provinces and territories across Canada, the introduction of the conditional sentences in 1996 has also changed the makeup of the caseload for probation officers. Admissions to conditional sentences in British Columbia have increased by almost 72% between 1997/98 and 2002/03 (table 6-11 ).

Probation officers in British Columbia have been responsible for an increasing number of offenders in the pre-trial (bail) supervision program. The average count of offenders in pre-trial (bail) supervision increased by more than 30% between 1993/94 and 2002/03 (table7-11 ).

Supervision standards

Adults who receive a sentenced order for community supervision, including a Section 810 recognizance or who are released to provincial parole are administered a risk/needs assessment. Clients with alternative measures in relation to a sexual or spousal assault offence are also subject to a risk/needs assessment. As a result of this formal assessment, the criminogenic needs requiring intervention are identified and an overall level of supervision is generated, both of which guide the supervision and case management of the offender. British Columbia uses the Community Risk Needs Assessment (CRNA) as the main tool for risk/needs assessment. In spouse assault cases, a Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA) is administered in addition to the CRNA to obtain further offence specific risk information about the client. Presently, British Columbia also uses SONAR and STATIC-99 for sex offenders.

Each offender is classified into one of three of the following levels of supervision:

• Low: one mode of intervention per month minimum.
• Medium: two different modes of intervention per month minimum.
• High: three modes of intervention per month minimum.

There are various modes of intervention including: in-person contact with the offender in the office; home visits; contact with the offender's spouse or other informed family members; participation in programming or treatment targeted at the offender's criminogenic needs, and contact with collaterals (social worker, counsellors, teacher, and/or psychologists, police, etc.).

In 2002/03, the largest proportion of clients on community supervision were classified as medium risk (45%) Nearly 33% of the caseload was classified as low risk and 22% of the caseload was classified as high risk.

Risk assessment tools are administered to applicable offenders upon intake and are updated no later than every six months thereafter. If an offender receives an additional community order the assessment is readministered to the client and the offender may be re-classified.

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 2,380 pre-sentence reports. In comparison, there were 28,926 sentenced adult court cases concluded that year. ⁴²

Youth

Introduction

All community correctional service programs for youth in British Columbia are administered by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Text table 3.41  lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. With the exception of the electronic monitoring and the fine option programs, which are not available, all other programs are available universally.

Text table 3.41
Program availability,¹ British Columbia youth

Administration of programs

As is the case for adults, a probation officer is generally involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. British Columbia does not offer probation intake services at court, by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker for youth. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed. Depending on the location, some probation officers work exclusively with specialized caseloads, including sexual or violent offenders. The administration of British Columbia's programs for youths is presented in text table 3.42 .

Text table 3.42
Program/service administration,¹ British Columbia youth

Between 1993/94 and 2002/03, admissions to probation decreased 39% from 4,415 in 1993/94 to 2,689 in 2002/03 (table 8-12 ). As well, the average month-end count of young offenders on probation declined by 48%, or from 4,424 to 2,281 (table 9-12 ).

Supervision standards

Young offenders who receive community supervision including probation, an intensive support and supervision program (ISSP), deferred custody and supervision order, or conditional supervision are assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. The level of supervision is determined by the probation officer with assistance of the risk/needs assessment tool and the frequency of contact with a probation officer and programming delivered differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the young offender.

The Youth Community Risk/Needs Assessment (YCRNA)is used as the main tool for risk/needs assessment for British Columbia youth. The YCRNA is administered upon intake of the client. Similar to adults, the assessment is re-administered to the young offender if an additional probation order is given. The YCRNA form is a tool to assist youth probation officers in determining the appropriate level of supervision for youth sentenced to a period of community supervision. It is a decisions-making aid, as opposed to a substitute for the skill and experience-based decision-making role of the youth probation officer.

There are three levels of supervision:

• Low: at least one mode of contact by a probation officer or delegate every month.
• Medium: at least four modes of contact by a probation officer every month.
• High: at least six modes of contact by a probation officer every month.

There are various modes of contact including: in person contact with the offender in the office, home visits, contact with the young person’s family/parents/guardian, contact with collaterals (social worker, counsellors, teacher, and/or psychologists), and participation in a program targeted at the youth’s criminogenic needs.

Among the three levels of supervision, in 2002/03, most clients on probation were classified as medium risk/needs (36%), 32% of the caseload was classified as high risk/needs, and 32% of the caseload is classified as low risk/needs.

Pre-disposition reports

In the 2002/03, probation officers completed 1,955 pre-disposition reports. In comparison, there were 4,679 disposed youth cases concluded that year. ⁴³

Yukon ⁴⁴

Adults

Introduction

Community correctional services in the Yukon are administered by the Community and Correctional Services Branch of the Department of Justice. Text table 3.43  lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. The majority of programs were offered universally. Three programs were either unavailable (electric monitoring and stand-alone CSO orders) or only available in certain locations (the intensive supervision program).

Text table 3.43
Program availability,¹ Yukon adults

Administration of programs

With the exception of the temporary absence program, which is administered by the Whitehorse Correctional Centre, all programs available in the Yukon are administered by probation officers. Depending on location, the region has probation officers who specialize in sex offender risk management and domestic violence treatment.

The administration of the Yukon’s programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.44 .

Text table 3.44
Program/service administration,¹ Yukon adults

The Yukon has a fine option program available. A fine option program allows any individual to work as payment for a fine given by the court. All fines from territorial offences, the Criminal Code, municipal by-laws and other federal offences are qualified for consideration for the program. An individual may elect to enter the fine option program any time prior to the issuance of the warrant of committal, but not after. The Yukon offers a wage rate of $5.00 per hour of work. ⁴⁵Admissions to the fine option program have decreased by 17% between 1998/99 and 2002/03 (table 6-12 ).

Approximately 15% of the Yukon’s probation officers are Aboriginal.

Between 1993/94 and 2002/03, there has been an increase in admissions to pre-trial supervision in the Yukon, increasing from 27 to 227 offenders during this time (table 6-12 ).

Supervision standards

Adults who receive a supervised probation order, restitution order, pre-trial supervision, or alternative measures are administered a risk/needs assessments. The Yukon uses the Level of Service Inventory-R (LSI-R) as the primary tool for a risk/needs assessment. In spousal assault cases, the offender can also be assessed using the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA). The assessments are done within one month upon entry into the program. Based on the assessment the client is classified into one of four ⁴⁶levels of supervision low, medium, high and intensive. The frequency of reporting to a probation officer is dependent on the level of supervision. Clients are then re-assessed every 6 months.

There are four levels of supervision:

• Low: report to a probation officer at least once a month.
• Medium: report to a probation officer at least twice a month.
• High: report to a probation officer at least four times a month.
• Intensive: report to a probation officer at least twelve times a month.

In 2002/03, half of those in community supervision were classified at the medium level. One-quarter of offenders were classified in a low level of supervision. The remaining quarter were placed in high (20%) and intensive (5%) supervision.

Pre-sentence reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 335 pre-sentence reports. In comparison, there were 658 sentenced adult cases concluded that year. ⁴⁷

Youth

Introduction

Youth programs are the responsibility of Health and Social Services in the Yukon. Text table 3.45  lists the community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. Stand-alone restitution and community service orders for youth were only offered in some locations across the territory, while community corrections services in Yukon did not offer pre-trial supervision and electronic monitoring programs. While a fine option program was available to adults, one was not available for youth.

Text table 3.45
Program availability,¹ Yukon youth

Administration of programs

A probation officer is involved in the supervision of a client for every available program or service. A probation officer initiates the intake process of a client in a program and is responsible for closing the file when the participation in a program or service is completed. The administration of theYukon’s programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.46 .

Text table 3.46
Program/service administration,¹ Yukon youth

As stated previously, probation officers in the Yukon supervise caseloads of either adult or young offenders, but not both. Youths in the Yukon are offered probation intake services at court, by way of a court liaison or other type of intake worker for youth. This service is offered universally throughout the territory.

Yukon’s youth have the option of entering the fine option program for all fines issued except those from federal fines. A youth can elect to enter the program when the fine is levied, but not after. He/she works off the fine at a wage rate of $5.00 per hour. ⁴⁸

The average month-end count of young offenders in probation declined by 75% between 1997/98 and 2002/03 (table 9-13 ).

Supervision standards

Young offenders who receive a supervised probation order are assigned a supervision level by the probation officer. The level of supervision is the direct result of classification generated by the Youth Level of Service Inventory and the Crime Cycle/Social History assessments. The frequency of contact with a probation officer and program delivery differs according to the level of supervision assigned to the young offender.

There are four levels of supervision:

• Minimum: report to a probation officer once ever other week.
• Medium: report to a probation officer weekly.
• Maximum: report to a probation officer two to three times per week.
• Intensive: report to a probation officer daily.

In 2002/03, half of all clients on probation were classified as maximum risk (50%). Thirty percent of the caseload were classified as medium risk, 10% were classified as low, and the remaining 10% were classified as intensive.

Risk/needs assessments are administered upon intake of the client and are updated every six months thereafter. The assessments are re-administered to the young offender if an additional probation order is given or, in some cases, if a new offence is committed.

Pre-disposition reports

In 2002/03, probation officers completed 26 pre-disposition reports were completed by a probation officer. In comparison there were 35 disposed youth cases concluded that year. ⁴⁹

Northwest Territories ⁵⁰

Adults ⁵¹

Introduction

Community correctional service programs in the Northwest Territories are administered by the Department of Justice. Text table 3.47  lists community corrections programs and services that were available in 2004. While most programs were available universally, community corrections services in the Northwest Territories did not offer electronic monitoring or intensive supervision program for adults. Although pre-trial supervision and alternative measures programs were offered, they were only available in certain locations and were dependant on the availability of resources.

Text table 3.47
Program availability,¹ Northwest Territories adults

Administration of programs

The administration of community correctional programs in the Northwest Territories involves a diverse group of individuals comprised of probation officers, other employees within the Department of Justice, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as contracted agencies and Court Services. Probation officers supervise probation orders and conditional sentences. They also supervise pre-trial supervision and temporary absences when supervision is stipulated.

In Yellowknife, the John Howard Society supervises offenders sentenced to a community service order or those who elect to enter the fine option program. In other communities community service work can be allocated and supervised by community correction staff or community service clients can be referred to a local community justice representative, if they have contacts within their communities to handle the community service work and the fine option program. The Department of Justice and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are responsible for the supervision of alternative measures while court services and the Department of Justice administer restitution orders.

The administration of Northwest Territories’ programs and services for adults is presented in text table 3.48 .

Text table 3.48
Program/service administration,¹ Northwest Territories adults