Inmates can be granted escorted and unescorted “temporary absences” for a variety of reasons: to perform community service, attend medical appointments or treatment programs, and visit with family members. They can last a few hours, a few days or even weeks.
A November 2012 briefing document sent to then-Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and obtained under access-to-information legislation said temporary absences play an important role in helping offenders re-integrate into society. It cites the “low rate of failure” arising from temporary absences and notes that offenders who participate in the program are less likely to be re-admitted following release on full parole.
“A gradual, structured, and supervised release process represents an effective means of contributing to public safety,” the document said.
But Julie Carmichael, communications director for new Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney, said this past week the government is intent on closing a loophole that allows for “parole through the backdoor.”
The government first raised concerns earlier this year after it was revealed that a prison warden had granted Elaine Rose Cece, a woman convicted in 1999 of second-degree murder in the death of Toronto police officer William Hancox, an escorted temporary absence even though the Parole Board had denied the same privilege a year-and-a-half earlier.
“We strive to have a justice system that respects victims and holds offenders to account and we will continue to take steps to achieve this end. Individuals deemed ineligible for parole should not be given conditional release that is tantamount to parole through the back door,” Carmichael said via email.
“We are examining options to make sure that prisoners are not released before it is safe to do so, including Bill C-483 introduced by MP Dave MacKenzie.”
The bill proposes to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to strip prison wardens of the authority to grant temporary escorted absences to inmates convicted of first- or second-degree murder, except in the case of a medical emergency. In all other instances, the Parole Board would have to authorize escorted temporary absences for that group of inmates.
According to the November briefing document prepared by the correctional service, each temporary absence application already “undergoes a thorough analysis of risk” that includes consultation with a security intelligence officer and community corrections liaison officer.
It noted that 99 per cent of offenders successfully complete their temporary absences without any problems.
Participation in either escorted or unescorted temporary absences are “critical to establishing offender credibility for early release,” the document said.
Further, research has shown that offenders who participate in temporary absences prior to release on full parole or statutory release have lower rates of re-admission.
The document noted that the average daily cost to incarcerate someone is $312, while the average cost to maintain an offender in the community is $80 per day.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Douglas Quan
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