It is a first in Canada.

The province’s Ministry of Justice is partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Saskatchewan branch to help serious violent offenders with chronic mental illness.

Dave Nelson, the executive director of the association, says without supervision and rehabilitation these offenders inevitably end up in trouble with the law again.

Nelson says the program is aimed at preventing that:

“And it will provide that support in a fairly intensive way with people who are trained professionals, who will have a small caseload, and will help persons with all kinds of different issues to keep them from reoffending.”

The provincial government is investing $360,000 in the program.

Initially, it is targeting about 30 violent offenders.

The goal is to give them support and guidance to help them reintegrate into society.