Let me back up. I think that there is a certain level of incoherence between the sentencing provisions and the release provisions. To some extent we're talking about that level of incoherence. I think that these are difficult questions. What is the appropriate length of time for offenders between parole hearings? It may be that this question should be revisited.
I am reluctant to make a suggestion on the fly, however, and the reason I'm reluctant is that I don't know the history of it. The Parole Board is very conservative on releases. We know that, and the data are absolutely clear on that, but what happens with these sequential hearings and what should the length of time be? Should it be varied, and should it be varied with a parole? I don't know the answer, but it seems to me that it's a legitimate question to raise.
At the same time, it is not something that one wants to start by having me or anybody else around the table pick a number. I think you want to start by asking what we know about this process, what we know about the decisions being made, and how we can make this a sensible process.