Young people are treated differently than adults by the criminal justice system.  Young people make decisions differently than adults as the have less experience upon which to make their decisions, and are more compulsive. Their brains are not fully developed and they are less mature. All of these factors should temper and direct the method used to deal with young people.  the purpose of youth sentences is to hold young persons accountable through meaningful consequences that promote rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

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There are special rules that apply to youth cases at every stage, from investigation to arrest to the way they are handled by police and the courts. The punishment for crimes is different for youth. The special legislation dealing with these cases, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is an updated and modernized version of the prior Young Offenders’ Act. The primary goals of the youth justice system, in addition to maintaining public safety, are skill development, habilitation, rehabilitation, addressing treatment needs, and successful reintegration of youth into the community. Successful reintegration requires a community approach and a broader understanding of how society impacts the lives of young people.