What information does the Ontario Parole Board consider?
- Kate Mitchell
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The Ontario Parole Board is required to consider all relevant information that is reliable and persuasive. The Board can receive information from a range of sources, including correctional staff, the prisoner seeking parole (including the prisoner’s friends and family), victims,…
Can provincial prisoners be required to complete substance testing?
- Kate Mitchell
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Prisoners in provincial correctional facilities may receive a demand to complete substance testing (to test for evidence of alcohol or other substances). However, demands can only be made in certain circumstances: If the director or superintendent of the provincial correctional…
Where do youth serve custodial sentences?
- Kate Mitchell
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If a young person receives a youth sentence, then they will generally serve it in a youth correctional facility. Once the youth turns 18 years old, then an application can be brought by the provincial director to authorize the transfer…
4 Things to know about transferring federal prisoners for court attendance
- Kate Mitchell
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Prisoners in federal penitentiaries may be required to attend court for a variety of reasons. A prisoner may face new charges while imprisoned, be called as a witness, need to attend a family or civil proceeding, etc. In some cases, prisoners…
5 Things to know about federal prisons and education
- Kate Mitchell
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Correctional Service Canada (“CSC”) recognizes that education is important for rehabilitation and reintegration. Teaching certification and standards are regulated by provinces and territories, so programs may differ between prisons. However, CSC does try to maintain a standard level of service and…
Are parole hearings different for Dangerous Offenders?
- Kate Mitchell
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Dangerous Offenders serving indeterminate sentences are eligible for parole 7 years from the time they were taken into custody. This does not mean that Dangerous Offenders will necessarily receive parole after 7 years. This only means that Dangerous Offenders are entitled…
5 Things to know about CSC’s information sharing obligations
- Kate Mitchell
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Correctional Service Canada is required to provide to certain parties all information under its control that is relevant to release decision-making or the supervision/surveillance of prisoners. This includes the Parole Board of Canada, as well as provincial governments, provincial parole…
What is a file correction?
- Kate Mitchell
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Under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, Correctional Service Canada “shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that any information about an offender that it uses is as accurate, up to date and complete as possible.” This provision is part…
5 Things to know about Parole Board of Canada hearings for non-English speakers
- Kate Mitchell
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The Parole Board of Canada offers certain accommodations for prisoners who do not speak English. The Parole Board of Canada can hold hearings in English or French. Prisoners should ensure that their Parole Officer is aware of their preference well…
Which prisoners are still eligible for Accelerated Parole Review?
- Kate Mitchell
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Accelerated Parole Review (“APR”) allows earlier parole for non-violent first-time federal prisoners. Prisoners eligible for APR can be released on parole after serving 1/6 of their sentence or 6 months, whichever is longer. In 2011, APR was abolished. However, the Supreme Court of…