Backgrounder - Government of Canada to Fix the Problem of Early Parole for Criminals

The Government of Canada is committed to a new approach to corrections that places further emphasis on the protection of society as the paramount principle of corrections and conditional release. This approach strengthens victims’ rights and increases offender accountability and responsibility.

Today, the Government of Canada is doing more by committing to changes with respect to Accelerated Parole Review (APR).

The Corrections and Conditional Release Act provides the legal framework for the correctional system, and sets out:

1. the purpose of the correctional system and principles that guide the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and specific measures governing its operations
   (Part I);
2. the purpose of the conditional release system and principles that guide the National Parole Board (NPB) and specific measures governing its operations (Part II); and,
3. the establishment of the Office of the Correctional Investigator and specific measures governing its operations (Part III).

Under the current system, Accelerated Parole Review provides a streamlined parole review process for “non-violent” offenders serving their first prison sentence. Currently, “non-violent” offenders can access day parole at one-sixth of their sentence, and automatic full parole at one-third of their sentence.

Accelerated Parole Review is already not available if the offender has been convicted of a violent offence or serious drug offence where an order has been made for parole eligibility at one-half of sentence. Also offenders serving sentences for criminal organization offences, or whose day parole has been revoked, are not eligible for accelerated parole review.

In December 2007, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Independent Review Panel released its report outlining recommendations for the Government of Canada. The panel was assigned the task of completing a review of CSC’s operational priorities, strategies and business plans.

Changes to Accelerated Parole Review would respond to the Independent Review Panel’s recommendations to work towards a system of earned parole, and are also responding to victims’ groups concerns.

The commitment announced today would also set the stage for possible further legislative change towards earned parole and the abolition of statutory release.