I would phrase it this way. I can't replace the voice of those parents or those sisters or those mothers who have lost. What I can do is be an amplifier for their voice. It's their story. It's their pain. It's their suffering. I have to say this. Victims understand that in many cases a large portion of offenders will be released. They don't want them to reoffend; they want them to have the supports they need. That's when we talk about the general population of offenders.
As I said at the beginning of my testimony, one of this office's biggest roles is to help bring that voice to the table. I also know that this committee and many committees have had the privilege of listening to people who have suffered loss and people who are national voices, in telling their stories and the need for change within the criminal justice system.
When we talk about rights, one of the number one issues is that they have more rights. In many cases, it's not about an either/or. It's about ensuring that their rights, that those legs of the stool, start to be equal, because right now they're not.
I build on Mr. Lemay's comments. How do we provide that information to them? How do we bring their voice to the table to have input and influence?
I also want to build on the other comments about how we broaden that national framework. This office is very committed to doing that. We've been very active in doing that so that we can bring the best information and voice possible to this table.
Thank you.