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| Ex-Inmate Reconviction Rates Top 40% in Canada |
| By CBC |
| Published: 07/14/2003 |
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Nearly half of all offenders released from federal prisons in Canada are convicted of another crime within two years, according to a new study by the Solicitor General of Canada. The government department examined the patterns of offenders for two years after they got out of prison. Some of them were on conditional release, others had completely finished their sentences and were on their own. The study looked at the years 1994-95, 1995-96, and 1996-97, finding reconviction rates during that time of 44 per cent, 42.8 per cent, and 40.6 per cent respectively. But if offenders received more support in their communities it would be a different story, said Robert Cormier, one of the study's authors. 'If there are employment opportunities for offenders, if there are services and programs provided in the community to support the reintegration of offenders, they can do better,' said Cormier. These aspects, he said, need further study. Cormier made these comments based partly on the finding that aboriginal ex-inmates were more likely to be reconvicted. The study cautions, however, that reconviction rates are just one way of measuring the correctional service, and that other factors, over which the system has no control, need to be taken into account-such as employment and educational achievement, family stability, and sobriety. As well, Cormier observed that ex-inmates who were no longer connected to Corrections were more likely to re-offend than those released with conditions. The study's findings come as no surprise to police in Kinston, which has nine federal institutions in the region. Insp. Brian Cookman examined the issue three years ago and came up with similar numbers. His study tracked 1,400 offenders from 1990 to 1998. Nearly half of them committed new crimes. |
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