Federal and provincial responsibilities

In Canada, responsibility for corrections is divided between the federal and provincial governments. The Correctional Service of Canada is responsible for offenders serving sentences of two years or longer (including life sentences). The provinces are responsible for offenders sentenced to terms of less than two years.

The Parole Board of Canada makes conditional release decisions for federal offenders and for provincial offenders in the provinces and territories without their own parole boards.

Public Safety Canada works to harmonize policies among the federal agencies and departments that are implicated in crime prevention, law enforcement and corrections with the goal of advancing effective corrections policy in the interest of public safety.

To help achieve an effective Canadian correctional system, PSEPC works in partnership with a wide variety of government departments and agencies, voluntary sector organizations and First Nations communities. Our partners include:

• Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
• Correctional Service Canada
• Health Canada
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
• John Howard Society of Canada
• Justice Canada
• L'Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
• National Association of Friendship Centres
• Parole Board of Canada
• Office of the Correctional Investigator
• Provincial/territorial and municipal governments
• RCMP
• Salvation Army Correctional and Justice Services
• St. Leonard's Society of Canada