NCJ Number
45738
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THIS CRITICAL COMMENTARY ON A REPORT OF A PARLIAMENTARY TASK FORCE CALLS THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS UNREALISTIC BECAUSE CANADA'S CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IS SO FRAGMENTED.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE TASK FORCE REPORT TITLED 'THE ROLE OF FEDERAL CORRECTIONS IN CANADA' FAVORS THE EVENTUAL ADMINISTRATIVE INTEGRATION OF THE CANADIAN PENITENTIARY SERVICE AND THE NATIONAL PAROLE SERVICE, THE REFORMS ENVISIONED IN THE REPORT ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE HISTORIC FRAGMENTATION OF CANADA'S PENAL SYSTEM. THE REPORT IDENTIFIED SENTENCING AND RELEASE AS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DECISIONMAKING POINTS IN THE PENAL PROCESS. AT PRESENT NEITHER OF THESE IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE CANADIAN PENITENTIARY SERVICE; THE COURTS SENTENCE, THE NATIONAL PAROLE SERVICE DETERMINES RELEASE. ALTHOUGH INTEGRATION OF THE PENITENTIARY AND THE PAROLE SERVICES MAY BE ADMINISTRATIVELY EFFICIENT, A UNIFIED PHILOSOPHY IN CORRECTIONS WILL NOT BE AS SIMPLY OBTAINED BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL/PROVINCIAL DIVISIONS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR FEDERAUX AU CANADA DIVISIONS, AND THE AUTONOMY OF THE COURTS. THE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS, PRINCIPLES, AND LOGIC THAT PROVIDE THE RATIONALE FOR ALL OF THESE SECTORS WHICH FEED INTO THE CANADIAN CORRECTIONS SYSTEMS INDIRECTLY FORM THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE SYSTEM ITSELF. ALL THE PRESENT SYSTEM CAN DO IS ADMINISTER EFFICIENTLY. ALL A MERGER WITH THE NATIONAL PAROLE SERVICE CAN DO IS INCREASE EFFICIENCY. SUCH A MERGER CANNOT CHANGE THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PHILOSOPHY OF CANADA.