Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of this committee. It's a pleasure to be here and to have the opportunity to talk to you about some of the issues around electronic monitoring as it relates to the Correctional Service of Canada.
I'll give you a bit of background on my experience and knowledge. I have a Ph.D. in psychology from Queen's University. I have been a social science researcher with the federal government for 30 years, 20 of them with the Correctional Service of Canada. As the director general of research, I am responsible for developing and implementing an annual research plan that contributes to the effective management and operation of the Correctional Service and also serves to contribute to the public safety of all Canadians by helping develop and assess rehabilitative programs for offenders.
I've worked on a number of projects over the many years I've been with the service, one of which was the overview of electronic monitoring in corrections issues and its implications, authored by Ms. Bottos. I was the director general at the time this report was prepared and I reviewed it numerous times in my capacity as the director general.
This report summarizes the results of a review of the literature related to electronic monitoring up to 2006. I would be pleased to respond to your questions about this research in just a moment; however, before taking questions, I'd like to reinforce some of the comments made by Commissioner Head following his appearance before this committee this past month.
As you know, the intent of electronic monitoring is not that it be used as a mechanism for reducing recidivism. The research demonstrates that it does not have that ability. It is a tool to assist our staff with the supervision of offenders who have been granted a form of conditional release. Electronic monitoring contributes to our mandate by overseeing the safe transition of eligible offenders into the community. Essentially it provides staff with the ability to monitor an offender's compliance with the conditions of his or her release as stipulated by the Parole Board of Canada.
Further, it strengthens efforts to promote offender accountability while these individuals are residing in the community. It also enables the service to compile pertinent information for various ongoing risk assessments and analyses to monitor and mitigate any concerns that may arise with the offender and ultimately, therefore, to protect public safety.
The safe transition of eligible offenders into the community is a priority for the service, and we feel that the use of EM could be an effective tool to assist our parole officers to meet that objective.
Thank you for your time. Mr. Chair, I welcome any questions that members have.