The Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family (CRILF) conducted a study of data between 2001 and 2006, and noted a drop in the number of young offenders behind bars. The study's author says a majority of this drop is down to the diversion techniques now used, with police often handing out warnings and cautions rather than a date a court. However the level of crime committed by youth has also dropped in the province.

The one major area of concern though for CRILF Executive Director, Joseph Hornick is with habitual offenders. "Both probation officers and police felt that it was very difficult to achieve much success with these kids. "And these are the chronic offenders, many of whom by the age of 16 had more than 30 convictions."

Hornick points to signs early on with the habitual offenders that could have been picked up on and managed at the time. "They have tremendously difficult backgrounds from dysfunctional homes, domestic violence, lots of child welfare involvement, grew up in foster care homes, group homes, began offending at an early age, usually at 8 to 10 years old."