Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 15 The Issue Parole Reform Targeting Repeat and High-Risk Offenders The Canadian criminal justice system is a complex and interconnected process where action, or inaction, in one area can have unintended and negative consequences in another. The need to effectively target repeat offenders is significant because, as front line law enforcement officers know all too well, a defining reality of our justice system is that a disproportionately small number of offenders are responsible for a disproportionately large number of offences. Operationally targeting such offenders produces positive public safety results and the same is true of targeted legislation and policy. It is in that context that the Canadian Police Association continues to propose the creation of statutory consequences for offenders who commit new offences while on conditional release and to replace the entitlement of statutory release with discretionary parole. These amendments are proposed in the belief that early release from a court imposed sentence should be a privilege to be earned and not a right to be demanded. The Solution Create the Offence of breaching conditional release: It is critically important that there be an accurate record kept with respect to an offender’s breach of conditions while on early release so that any future justice system decisions take into account such conduct. This reality is reflected in the creation of a separate criminal offence of breaching the conditions of bail or probation yet, inexplicably, breaching the conditions of parole is not a criminal offence. Require reporting of breach of conditional release by supervising authorities: After the fact examination of crimes committed by repeat offenders such as Albert Foulston, demonstrate that breaches of conditional release by offenders are not always reported to the Parole Board of Canada which means its authority to suspend or revoke early release is neutered. Creating an obligation on a supervising entity, which includes offender advocate groups as well as Correctional Service Canada (CSC), would resolve this deficiency and enhance offender and institutional accountability. SFPO President Casey Ward at CPA meeting Issue 69, PAO Magazine CANADIAN POLICE ASSOCIATION 2018 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE continued
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