Law 12Sentencing and the Correctional SystemMs. Ripley

The Correctional System (Law in Action, Blair, p.294-296)

Prison is the toughest and most expensive penalty we have for offenders in Canada. The adult federal and provincial correctional system costs about $2 billion annually. The cost of keeping an offender in a federal penitentiary is about $55 000 per year. This compares with approximately $26 500 for a halfway house and $ 12 000 to supervise an inmate on parole. Locking up offenders is an expensive proposition.

Prison mav be the right place for some criminals, but it is also the wrong place for others. In Canada there are about 120 prisoners for every 100 000 adults. Although Canada's incarceration rate is less than one-quarter of that in the United States, it is higher than the rate in most western European countries. Yet, there is no real evidence to show that locking people up has a deterrent effect, that it reduces crime, or that it even reduces the rate of recidivism. Canada has adopted an approach that gets tough with violent, high-risk offenders but also finds alternatives to incarceration for non-violent, low-risk offenders.

The Provincial Correctional System

People in the provincial correctional system are either awaiting trial or serving sentences of less than two years. Facilities in this system have various levels of security. Closed custody is reserved for dangerous offenders and escape risks. Some of these prisoners require psychological care and are placed in protective custody, separated from the rest of the prison population for their own protection. Open custody is less secure and more appropriate for prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes; these prisoners are neither escape risks nor dangerous to others. A halfway house would be an example of an open custody facility.

The Federal Correctional System

Sentences of more than two years' imprisonment are served in federal institutions. These institutions are classified as maximum, medium, and minimum security. Dangerous offenders are sent to maximum-security institutions. Guarded by armed correctional officers, these penitentiaries are secured buildings with high walls, razor-wire fences, and bars on all doors and windows. Those who prove themselves over time can be transferred from a maximum- to a medium-security prison. Medium-security institutions ` -- have fewer physical barriers and not as many guards. Prisoners are allowed more freedom and more contact with other inmates. Minimum-security institutions have no external barriers like fences or walls. They also have more employment and educational programs to assist inmates nearing the end of their sentences in making the transition back to society as law-abiding citizens.

Correctional Programs

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is responsible for the care and wellbeing of inmates incarcerated in federal penitentiaries. In addition to providing food, clothing, housing, and health care, CSC helps people deal with issues relating to their criminal behaviour. CSC's goal is to contribute to public safety by reducing the chances of prisoners re-offending upon release.

To this end, every prisoner has a correctional plan that outlines his or her needs and priorities. The plan and the progress of the individual are reviewed regularly to determine whether goals are being met and to monitor the level of risk the offender poses. All inmates are required to attend school or work as part of their correctional plan CSC offers programs in the following areas:

  • living skills
  • cognitive skills training
  • substance abuse intervention
  • sex offender treatment