Criminal Justice System Spotlight Flashcards
What comprises the CJS?
Police, Courts, Prisons, Probation, and Parole (last 2 are community).
Corrections
Prisons and Parole.
CJS is a funnel. Dark num of crime at top, then police at bottom of funnel, as that’s when the crimes become known to them.
Prisoners are particular type of person, don’t represent all people at top, just people that have come to attention of CJS and are judged as guilty.
Corrections as Subsystem of CJS
range of programs / services delivered in community settings [i.e. probation, conditional sentence, conditional release].
range of programs and services delivered in institutional settings [work / education programs, rehab / anger management programs, etc.].
Legislative Framework of Corrections in Canada
- Canadian charter of rights & freedoms (1982)
- Constitution Act (1867)
- Criminal Code (1892)
- Corrections and Conditional Release Act (1992)
- Provincial Legislation
- International agreements / conventions (i.e. UN).
2 year rule
if sentence is 2 years minus a day, offender goes to provincial prison.
If 2 years or more, goes to federal prison.
Criticisms:
- Kind of arbitrary num
- Cause of two systems, duplication of everything, kind of unnecessary.
Federal system of Corrections
- National Parole Board (determine if ppl are allowed out on parole).
- Office of Correctional Investigator (investigate / available to prisoners for their complaints about mistreatment, conditions, etc).
- Correctional Service of Canada: Manage institutions. Supervise parolees and statutory release (when served 2/3 of sentence, most inmates are released on conditional release).
Types of federal penitentiaries
Minimum Security -> inmates not deemed risk to society, more freedom of movement
Medium Security -> much more secure / less freedom. Higher risk.
Maximum Security -> Secure, no freedom, high risk.
Supermax (Special Handling Unit) -> Protective custody, inmates who are dangerous / don’t get along.
Provincial Correctional Services
Alberta Solicitor General in charge of
- < 2 years
- Youth corrections
- offenders on remand
- probation
- temporary lock-up
Two types of Security
Static -> physical characteristics / technology (i.e. perimeter fencing, high tech doors, cameras, bars, etc).
Dynamic -> more fluid; relationships, personal element (i.e. offender may defend guard they have good relationship w/ or divulge more info).
Auburn Model
First in Canada (Kingston pen). Inmates could interact, but couldn’t talk. Penance, reflect on ways.
90’s split models of corrections -> rehab VS warehousing (punishment / retribution and cost efficient).
Modern Prisons
Asked to pursue conflicting goals.
Political and Public institutions (tied to public sentiment, funding from gov).
Total institutions -> all aspects of life conducted in same place under same authority. Same routines / treatment and tightly scheduled / controlled by administrative hierarchy. [other ex. military]
Corrections as a philosophy
Goals of punishment:
- Incapacitation (can’t hurt further)
- Deterrence (deter future crime)
- Retribution (revenge, pay for crimes)
- Rehabilitation (change / fix behavior)
Changes in emphasis due to many factors (i.e. political, social contexts).
Challenges facing corrections
- Meeting requirements of legislation (must be aware of prisoner rights)
- Managing w/ reduced resources
- Overcrowding
- Ensuring Inmate Safety
- Providing Programs and Services
- Diverse Clientele
- Marginal Population
- Conflicting Goals
- Human Enterprise
- Tense Relationship w/ the public
- Multicultural Society
- Paper Burden of Accountability (CYA -> cover your ass).
Special Categories of Offenders
- Female Inmates
- Indigenous Inmates
- Elderly Inmates
- Violent Offenders
- Sex Offenders
- Long-Term Offenders
Positive Strides
Good people in the system & Programs:
- Indigenous Elders
- Mother-Child programs (kid lives in prison for first couple years)
- Creating Choices (women’s corrections)
- Volunteer programs (in and continuing outside prison & ppl coming in fr outside)
