Programs for Victims

In 1988 Canada established the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime that was "intended to ensure fair treatment and inclusion of victims and to guide federal/provincial/territorial laws, policies and procedures which are the means to implement these principles". It was based on the 1985 UN Declaration of Basic Principles for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power. In 1989, the Correctional Service of Canada committed itself "to ensure that the concerns of victims are taken into account in discharging our responsibilities".

In 1992, the Canadian government established the Corrections and Conditional Release Act that officially gave victims certain rights, primary of which was to receive certain information about offenders as they served out their sentence. Changes to this legislation are currently being considered, for example, the right to make a statement at Parole Board Hearings and/or access audiotapes of those hearings.

All Operational Units within the Correctional Service of Canada, including both institutions and parole offices, presently have a Victim Liaison Coordinator to ensure that information about offenders is shared in a timely and professional manner with victims. Both the Correctional Service of Canada and the National Parole Board collaborate in the delivery of information to victims.

The Correctional Service of Canada is currently involved in an intensive review of its services to victims. It is in the process of finalizing its Standard Operating Practices and Commissioner's Directives concerning victim notification in consultation with both internal and external partners including victims rights groups. The training of staff is recognized as a priority, as is the security of personal victim information, timely notification, and doing everything possible to prevent secondary revictimization. These efforts are being made within a restorative justice framework that recognizes the importance of victims in the aftermath of crime.