ARCHIVED - Government Advances Legislation to End Early Release of Offenders

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Today, the Government of Canada announced that legislation to abolish Accelerated Parole Review has passed in the House of Commons.

The proposed legislation, Abolition of Early Parole Act (Bill C-59), would abolish the current system of Accelerated Parole Review, which allows those convicted of non-violent offences to obtain day parole after serving one-sixth of their sentence and full parole after serving one-third.

In December 2007, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Independent Review Panel released its final 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.

Under the current system, Accelerated Parole Review allows non-violent, first time offenders to access day parole at one-sixth of their sentence and full parole at one-third of their sentence if the Parole Board of Canada is satisfied that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the offender, if released, is likely to commit an offence involving violence before the expiration of their sentence.

With the proposed legislation, accelerated parole review would not apply to all pending and future cases.

This government continues to demonstrate its commitment of ensuring the safety and security of our communities. The proposed legislation will move forward as a government priority.

For more information on the proposed legislation, visit www.parl.gc.ca

Information:

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

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