The Alternative Measures Program

Alternative Measures is a program that uses victim/offender mediation and community justice forums as ways of providing certain youth with opportunity to take responsibility for their unlawful behaviour without requiring them to go through the formal Youth Court process. If the Alternative Measures Program would be an appropriate way for a youth to be held accountable for his or her behaviour, the youth may be referred to the program.

Alternative Measures is a voluntary program and youth are free to choose whether to take part. They are encouraged to consult with a lawyer before making a decision and have the right, at any time during the process, to ask that their case be heard in Youth Court.

If a young person choose to participate, arrangements are made by the Alternative Measures Caseworker for mediation or the community justice forum. Each party is given an opportunity to express their feelings and opinions with respect to the offence, and with the assistance of the mediator, come to an agreement which all believe to be fair. The Agreement might involve the youth doing volunteer work for the victim or the community, paying the victim for the damages, attending counseling, writing an essay related to the offence, or any other activity accepted to all. If the youth successfully completes what was agreed to, he or she is cleared of any further responsibility for the offence. If the youth was charged, the charge is dismissed.

In Regina and Saskatoon, an educational program called StopLift is available to youth involved in shoplifting. The Program helps youth understand the consequences of shoplifting to themselves, the victim, and the community.