NCJ Number
193327
Journal
Gazette Volume: 63 Issue: 5 Dated: 2001 Pages: 12-16
Date Published
2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the operations of criminal investigations, prosecutions, and corrections under recent amendments to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) and the Criminal Code of Canada.
Abstract
Generally, the legislation intends to distinguish between violent and nonviolent offenders, with more protective measures targeting violent offenders. Accelerated parole review was introduced in 1992 as a mechanism to provide for the virtual automatic parole release of nonviolent first-time Federal offenders into the community. Those convicted of a violent offense do not qualify for the accelerated review. The majority of offenders will be serving a determinate sentence and will be returning to the community at some point. All must be considered for conditional release when eligible. Offenders who are serving a life sentence for murder are ineligible for parole for a period of 10 to 25 years. Comprehensive offender files are maintained to aid in crime investigations. Information and an electronic infrastructure are designed to enhance assessment, the management of risk, and enforcement and investigative activity. All offenders, whether incarcerated or on conditional release, will have an assigned parole officer. All offenders in the community are on conditional release and are subject to standard conditions that govern their release. Their activities can be further restricted through special conditions. Police-parole liaison in the management of offenders in the community occurs locally and nationally under the auspices of the National Joint Council of Correctional Service Canada, police, crown counsel, and the National Parole Board. Tables in this article outline types of conditional release, standards for conditional release, and standards for liaison of parole agencies with police agencies.