Justice Committee on Feb. 9th, 2011

[Dr. Stacey Hannem]

Absolutely, and not just sexual offenders, but offenders more broadly. Canadian programs in cognitive skills development and in various other programs are very widely recognized around the world by other countries that are emulating and trying to copy that model. Unfortunately, the removal of trained psychologists from federal prisons leaves a huge deficit...[Technical difficulty--Editor]...effectively implement that type of programming.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Thank you.

We're going to move to Mr. Woodworth for seven minutes.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you very much.

Thanks to all of the witnesses for being here with us today.

Ms. Hannem, I apologize: I didn't hear your professional qualifications, so I don't know whether or not you are a lawyer. Are you?

[Dr. Stacey Hannem]

I am not a lawyer. I have a Ph.D. in sociology and I'm a professor of criminology.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you.

I think I heard you say you were familiar with the circles of support and accountability. Is that correct?

[Dr. Stacey Hannem]

That's correct. I've been working and doing research for 10 years.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

So you are aware that our government renewed the national funding for that program last year, are you?

[Dr. Stacey Hannem]

That's correct.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

My recall is that there was at least a modest increase in that funding last year. Is that correct?

[Dr. Stacey Hannem]

I believe so. I saw it when they announced it. I'm not privy to the numbers.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you.

That funding comes from Corrections Canada, I think, does it not?

[Dr. Stacey Hannem]

Corrections Canada provides some funding, and there was some funding from the National Crime Prevention Centre.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I'm not sure why, but your voice seems to trail off, and I can't hear you. If you could speak a little louder, I would appreciate it.

Some of the funding I heard you say comes from Corrections Canada and other federal sources. That program is designed to assist in the rehabilitation and reintegration of sexual offenders, correct?

[Dr. Stacey Hannem]

Correct.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Thank you. I was concerned about some of the comments I've heard today about the government completely abandoning its role in that area, so I'm glad to hear that at least that program seems to have been a little strengthened.

We heard evidence two days ago from some lawyers--or a lawyer in particular--to the effect that the courts have made jail a norm in sentencing for sexual offenders, particularly in relation to offences against children. Are you aware of that?

[Dr. Stacey Hannem]

I would say that's correct.

[Stephen Woodworth, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I think I've heard you say you're a professor of criminology, a doctor of criminology, so could you tell the members of our committee why it is that the courts have felt it appropriate to make the incarceration of sexual offenders a norm?

[Dr. Stacey Hannem]

There are several different reasons why a court might decide to use prison as a sentence. One is for its denunciatory effect. It has long been thought that if the public--

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

One moment, please. Can I stop you, please?

We have a point of order from Monsieur Ménard.

[Serge Ménard, Bloc, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

We can’t hear it. We have complained about it a number of times. I began to listen to the French interpretation because it’s easier for me to understand, but I realize now that the interpreter also has trouble understanding the witness in English and, therefore, is not able to translate more than half of what is being said.

Is there a way to solve the sound problem? I already had trouble hearing the witness in English.

That's why I switched to French, because generally I can understand English, but I—

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Yes.

I think what you're saying, Monsieur Ménard, is that at present the witness from Brantford is just not clear enough, to the point where even our interpreters aren't able to pick up the interpretation. Is that correct?

[Serge Ménard, Bloc, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

I don't think it's the witness who is the problem.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

No, I didn't say that.

[Serge Ménard, Bloc, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC]

I think it's the sound system.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Yes, it might be the sound system. You're right.

Mr. Lee.