Community supervision
Last updated on April 29, 2026The court may order that you serve all or part of your sentence in the community. Probation, conditional sentences and suspended sentences all involve community supervision.
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Conditions
When you serve all or part of your sentence in the community, you must follow all conditions set out in your sentence.
Consequences for not following conditions
There are serious consequences for not following the conditions that the court has ordered. The consequences depend on the type of community sentence you received, but may include:
- Being charged with a new offence
- Receiving an in-custody term
- Receiving another period of community supervision
- Receiving a fine
Your probation officer can explain what penalties you may face if you do not follow the conditions of your sentence.
Probation officers
You may be supervised by a probation officer who will work closely with you to:
- Help you change your behaviour
- Connect you with supports in the community
Probation officers also:
- Balance supervising and enforcing court orders with helping you make positive changes in your life
- Apply the appropriate level of supervision, support and programming based on your assessed risk to reoffend
- Identify your needs that must be addressed to reduce reoffending
- Tailor support and programming to your characteristics and learning style
More information
For more information, see: