Review of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act


*The John Howard Society of Canada*	*CCRA Review 1999*

Corrections and Conditional Release Act Review

1.	Introduction and Summary

	i.	About this brief

The following brief focuses on the three elements of the CCRA that we believe are of particular importance in achieving the purpose of federal corrections:

		a,	fair and legal treatment of prisoners,
		b,	professional treatment and programs, and
		c,	properly operated gradual release processes.

We are submitting with this document a companion brief relating specifically to the detention provisions of the Act. We have kept the briefs separate because of the particular concerns about those provisions.

	ii.	Important Principles Relating to this Brief

The CCRA is the primary legislation that governs the conduct of correctional officials in carrying out the sentences of the court. The provisions of the Act and the actions of correctional officials should be consistent with the purpose of corrections as set out in the Act (Figure 1). There is no "Punishment Act of Canada" or "Detention Act of Canada". It is of great importance to recognize that the only legal activities of correctional officials are those that reflect the proper care and custody of offenders while incarcerated and promote changes in the behaviour of those in their care so that they can be reintegrated into the community as law-abiding citizens. Personnel within the Correctional Services of Canada and the National Parole Board must govern their activities with respect to this statement of purpose.

Purpose of Federal Corrections

The purpose of the federal correctional system is to contribute to the maintenance of a just, peaceful and safe society by:

(a) carrying out sentences imposed by courts through the safe and humane custody and supervision of offenders; and
(b) assisting the rehabilitation of offenders in their reintegration into the community as law-abiding citizens through the provision of programs in penitentiaries and in the community.

Figure 1: Corrections and Conditional Release Act, Section 3.

The John Howard Society of Canada supports the Purpose of Federal Corrections set out in the Act, as being principled, logical and appropriate. We believe that the degree to which the other provisions of the Act and the policies and practices of the Correctional Service of Canada and the National Parole Board are inconsistent with these purposes is the degree to which they fail "to contribute to the maintenance of a just, peaceful and safe society."

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