NCJ Number
129651
Journal
American Jails Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (March/April 1991) Pages: 120-126
Date Published
1991
Length
7 pages
Annotation
An analysis of the Canadian criminal justice system is presented with particular focus on alternatives to institutionalization.
Abstract
An overview is provided with descriptions of Federal and provincial corrections as well as the non-carceral populations. Information is given on sentence length, offenses and dispositions, resource allocations, and the capacity of Canadian corrections. Three of the best known alternatives to institutionalization in Canada are the Community Service programs, the Fine Option programs, and the Restitution programs. Additional programs include Victim Offender Reconciliation, attendance programs, Temporary Absence programs, Intermittent Sentence programs, and Prison Industries. The diversity of these programs in a wide number of jurisdictions creates concerns regarding program and policy consistency and the potential for disparity between jurisdictions as well as between judges and officials. Additional concerns deal with objectives of the correctional system, goals of the programs, and amount of supervision. Polls of public opinion indicate community support for intermediate sanctions as long as the safety of the public is maintained. 11 footnotes