Public Safety Committee on May 29th, 2006

[Don Head]

It varies by state. For example, in North Dakota, which has a significant aboriginal population, the number of individuals who are in the correctional system and are of aboriginal ancestry is relatively low, but then you have to look at the powers that have been given to the communities for overall criminal justice activities, and that may be a significant factor that plays into that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Mr. Wappel, we have to move on to the next—

[Tom Wappel, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Thank you very much.

It's amazing how fast seven minutes goes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Yes. It was a little more than that.

[Tom Wappel, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Thank you, sir.

[The Chair, Conservative, Garry Breitkreuz]

Bloc Québécois, Monsieur Ménard.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Many members of the public view criminals as outsiders who react in the same way.

Obviously, I realize that this isn't true, but the best way to know that is by looking at the sociological profile of offenders. Quebec has drawn up such a profile and based on the responses that you have given, I know that you have such a profile as well. Has this sociological profile been made public?

[Don Head]

Yes, it's coming out through our research report that talks about the changing offender population profile.

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

You've prepared a brief summary for the general public?

[Don Head]

Yes, most definitely. In terms of some of the statistics I talked about, it will go into breaking it down by region and more specific information related to women, aboriginal offenders, etc.

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

Is it available on the Internet?

[Don Head]

Not right at the moment. Once the research report has been approved, it would be released for public consumption.

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

And when will that be?

[Don Head]

I think before the end of June.

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

Now then, have you calculated the daily and annual cost to the correctional system of incarcerating one inmate?

[Don Head]

So you're looking at the cost of maintaining an offender by security level.

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

Yes.

[Don Head]

We do that calculation every year and it gets updated. Right now the updated information is for fiscal year 2004-05. I just have to find the break-out.

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

If you don't mind, could you share that information with us at the end? The question period is rather short.

[Don Head]

Yes, I will.

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

Ms. Collette, I see that you have performance indicators to measure success and that you use them. Did you in fact say that only 10 per cent of offenders who complete their parole re-offend in the long term?

[Renée Collette]

That's correct. Approximately 10 per cent of individuals on full parole re-offend in the long run. In 9 per cent of these cases, the offences are property related, while violent offences account for the remaining one per cent of cases. For those on statutory release, the rate is marginally higher, although I can't recall the exact figure. The success rate is somewhat lower for offenders on statutory release.

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

You've given us an overview of offenders who have been conditionally released. Is this overview also available for consultation on the Internet?

[Renée Collette]

Our annual performance report is always posted on the Internet. In terms of offender profiles, we rely on great deal on statistics and information received from the service. I'm also a commissioner and attend meetings regularly. The federal and provincial inmate population profiles -- because we do both -- are fairly similar to the one drawn up in Quebec. The profile reveals socio-economic, literacy and mental health problems. The profile paints a very accurate picture of offenders.

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

You stated that prospective NPB commissioners are interviewed and that you make recommendations to the government.