moved for leave to introduce Bill C-296, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (rehabilitation programs).
Mr. Speaker, this private members' bill will require federal inmates to complete programs that will assist in their rehabilitation and make their parole request contingent upon their successful completion of such programs.
Currently enrolment is voluntary. Inmates know that if they enrol in specific programs they will be looked upon much more favourably at their parole hearings.
Another problem that exists is availability of such programs. There is no consistency in the corrections system. The program may be available at one penitentiary but not at another.
The bill specifically seeks to make changes that would ensure that rehabilitation programs are available where needed, that inmates are counselled as to which programs they need most, and most important, that their parole request is dependent upon their successful completion of such appropriate programs.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)