NCJ Number
94136
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1981) Pages: 407-420
Date Published
1981
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper explores the popular public view that Canada's National Parole Board is too lenient with violent offenders.
Abstract
Those who receive remission or time off with good behavior, must serve that time under the Parole Board, which can revoke supervision if the inmate violates parole conditions. Remission is not discretionary -- it is a legal requirement. Full parole is not available until the prisoner has served at least one-third of his sentence, one-half for certain violent crimes. Day parole is a modified form of parole allowing some inmates to study or work in the community. It is often a means of testing a prisoner's readiness for full parole. Between 1975 and 1979, the Parole Board released 134 murderers, indicating that, if anything, the Board has been strict rather than lenient. Overall rates for readmission for violent offenses has fallen since 1975, while parole success rates have climbed. Further, there is no evidence that parole officers feel obliged to wait for a serious offense before revoking parole, nor is there evidence that the parole board has been excessively soft. Of the 12 returnees among the previously mentioned 134 murderers, most returned for technical violations and nonviolent offenses. Seven references and 10 tables are included.