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Programs and treatments that work

Programs and treatments that work

In Canada’s penitentiaries, treatment programs help inmates turn their lives around. There’s no question that most offenders have moderate to severe social challenges. Trying to change attitudes and behaviours is a big challenge, but the payoff is great. When treatment programs work, it means that society is safer. The chances that someone will re-offend after serving his or her sentence are reduced.

A treatment to fit the crime

Treatment programs in Canada’s penitentiaries are based on science -- social and behavioural research. The Correctional Service of Canada has tools to determine offenders’ level of risk and their treatment needs. Success depends on delivering the right treatment, at the right time.

The needs of offenders are assessed as soon as they begin their prison term. A Correctional Plan is designed for them. This plan includes treatment to address the specific problems related to their criminal history. Special programs are in place for women, Aboriginal people, and sex offenders.

Supervision in the community

The more pro-social ties offenders have in a community, the more likely they are to succeed after serving their sentence.

Research has shown that offenders do much better after their release if there is some support in place to help them cope with the many challenges of starting a new life. People who stay in prison until the very end of their sentence and have no supervision in the community are at a much greater risk of committing another crime. Since almost all offenders eventually get released from prison, it is certainly in society’s interest to make their re-integration a success.

When under supervision in the community, offenders must follow strict rules. They have to report regularly to a parole officer and the police. Usually conditions are imposed, such as avoiding alcohol or certain people. Parole officers also help offenders make important connections to community services, such as counselling, education, training, and job search assistance.

The staff of Correctional Service of Canada use information from various partners in the criminal justice system, such as the police, courts and psychologists to help determine the treatment needs of offenders.

The problem with sanctions

There are some who believe that harsh sanctions for offenders -- such as boot camps -- are an appropriate way to protect society. It is important to note that harsher sanctions are actually linked to an increased rate of re-offending. Treatment programs based on social and behavioural science may not be fool-proof, but they are proven to be more effective in helping offenders turn their lives around.

The transition to life after prison is safer when there is supervision in the community.

If public safety is the priority, then treatment, not sanctions, works better.

^{*. Source: Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview, December 2004.
Outcomes reported in these statistics refer to releases that ended in a given fiscal year.}