NCJ Number
74333
Date Published
1980
Length
17 pages
Annotation
In Canada, criminal justice administration is handled by three levels of government -- Federal, provincial, and local or municipal.
Abstract
The Federal government has exclusive jurisdiction to legislate in the area of criminal law which applies everywhere in Canada. It also has exclusive authority to legislate in the area of criminal law and criminal procedure, while the Provinces have the power to create police forces with provincial or municipal jurisdiction. The Government of Canada administers prisons officially designated as penitentiaries to which persons sentenced to 2-year terms or longer are committed. Provinces adminster gaols and reformatories for short-term prisoners. The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) gives effect to the penitentiary sentences imposed by the courts and parole decisions. Its organization includes 5 regional headquarters and 108 operational units across the country and provides a clear chain of command and line of accountability for the line managers of the organization. The CSC's program-planning system allows managers projections of 3 to 5 years into the future. To strengthen management control, internal management review, financial audit, program evaluation, program analysis, accreditation standards are stressed. A Senior Management Committee establishes policy and monitors progress of the service. Staffing of the CSC is separate from the Public Service of Canada and has separate employer status. Innovations effected by the service include the development of refined classification systems for institutions; education, training or work opportunities for inmates; integrated case management support to offenders; and special handling of certain inmtes, such as those who are dangerous or who need protective custody.