NCJ Number
53944
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
PROGRESS MADE BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT IN IMPLEMENTING PRISON REFORM RECOMMENDATIONS IS REPORTED, AND REASONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S UNUSUALLY POSITIVE RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE DEVELOPED BY A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS, A PERMANENT COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED BY THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. THE RECOMMENDATIONS CALLED FOR SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE CANADIAN PENITENTIARY SERVICE, TOUCHING ON SUCH MATTERS AS NONDISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN IN HIRING PENITENTIARY SERVICE EMPLOYEES, CONTACT VISITING FOR INMATES, POLICY GOVERNING INMATE HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATIONS, MINIMUM TRAINING FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, MONITORING OF INMATE DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS, REVISIONS IN INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, INTRODUCTION OF SOCIAL THERAPY PROGRAMS, PROVISION OF SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR SEX OFFENDERS, IMPROVEMENTS IN INMATE WORKING CONDITIONS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD. THE SOLICITOR GENERAL'S INITIALLY STRONG GENERAL ENDORSEMENT OF THE PROPOSED REFORMS WAS FOLLOWED QUICKLY BY EVIDENCE THAT MANY OF THE REFORMS WERE BEING IMPLEMENTED. SUPPORT FOR THE REFORMS GREW STEADILY AMONG INITIALLY CAUTIOUS MIDDLE AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN THE PENITENTIARY SERVICE. THE GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE REFORMS AND PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THEM IS SAID TO BE ALMOST WITHOUT PRECEDENT--TOTALLY UNLIKE THE USUAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSE OF INITIALLY EXPRESSING STRONG SUPPORT FOR REFORMS AND THEN SLOWLY DILUTING ITS POSITION AND ALLOWING THE REFORMS TO DETERIORATE. THE SUCCESS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE CONTINUING PRESSURES BROUGHT TO BEAR BY MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE AND TO THE VIABILITY OF THE IDEAS EMBODIED IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS. (LKM)