NCJ Number
174934
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1997 Pages: 8-13
Date Published
May 1997
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A review of the Correctional Service of Canada's Offender Management System (OMS) files as of year-end 1996 shows the types of violent offenses committed, the institutional and conditional release status of violent offenders, sentence lengths, recidivism rates, criminal histories, and needs of offenders on conditional release.
Abstract
There were 4,553 homicide offenders, 4,041 sex offenders, and 7,418 robbery offenders under Federal jurisdiction. The majority were in correctional institutions; the others were on conditional release. One offender could be listed for more than offense. Nevertheless, the figures understate the number of violent offenders because current computer systems do not identify all previous convictions for a violent offense. The Ontario and Quebec regions accounted for just over 50 percent of the homicide offender population. Offenders with robbery crimes are turning over at the greatest rate in institutions and on conditional release, have more criminal history as youth and adults, and are highly recidivistic. Findings suggested the need for specialized programs and services for these individuals. Homicide offenders turn over more slowly and as a group are more successful than other violent offenders after release. Sex offenders continue to accumulate in Federal institutions and decline in the community supervision population. Federal sex offenders as a group may be more criminally versatile than perhaps thought in the past. Therefore, these individuals should receive careful attention during the reintegration process. Overall, case-specific information is helping to direct available resources and controls to particular segments of the Federal offender population to manage risk better. Tables and 6 reference notes