NCJ Number
174801
Date Published
1996
Length
122 pages
Annotation
Canada's day parole program was reviewed with respect to trends in its use, offender characteristics, the relationship between outcomes and risks, and factors related to failure, given the changes contained in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act of 1992.
Abstract
From 1987-88 to 1991-92, about 40 percent of the conditional release decisions made by the National Parole Board were for day parole; the absolute number of day parole decisions increased over this period. Overall, about 40 percent of day parole releases were followed by a release on either full parole or statutory release. Some regions used day parole more often than others. The rate of day parole revocations also varied across regions. Offenders released on day parole committed less serious offenses than offenders in the general inmate population. For 97 percent of the cases, day parole was the first conditional release, excluding temporary absences; 87 percent of the releases were for ordinary day parole with a residency requirement. Half of the offenders did not live with both biological parents until age 16 and that 29 percent of the families abused alcohol or drugs. Mental health problems were apparent in 15 percent of the cases, juvenile records were present in two-thirds of the cases, drug problems were present in two-thirds of the cases, and alcohol was a factor in the commission of offenses for half the offenders. Risk and needs assessments provided good prediction of the outcome of day parole. Findings indicated that day parole is an effective program for permitting the early release of low-risk offenders and for providing a controlled release for offenders who are at slightly higher risk. Figures, tables, and 14 references