Instead of straight release, many jurisdictions choose to release a prisoner on parole. In Ontario, any offender with a sentence of two years or less is under the authority of the Ontario Board of Parole (OBP). According to statistics on the OBP’s site, “over a two-year period after release, paroled offenders are far less likely to commit new offences than offenders who are released after serving their sentence in custody.” So apparently, paroling prisoners rather than releasing them after their time is served cuts down on future offenses. This could be because parolees are monitored as they adjust to life outside of prison, which can be a difficult task. So how does parole work?
Much like in the United States, parole works by keeping in touch with parolees through meetings and counseling (if necessary) for a set amount of time. In Ontario, the timeframe ranges from 3 to 16 months, with an average of 7 months. During this period, parolees have regularly scheduled meetings with their parole officers to discuss how they are doing, address any problems they are having, or bring up any issues that need attention. These might include out-of-province family emergencies, licensing issues (helping parolees get their license for work/school), job searches and the like. In some cases, parole officers may want parolees to take drug tests as a way of monitoring their activities and making sure they remain on a path to recovery.
The transition from convict to citizen can be a difficult process and it is the goal of a parole officer to help parolees during this period. Helping them find work, living arrangements, or financing for school all fall into this category. The process actually begins in prison with programs that “promote law-abiding lifestyles” for those soon to be conditionally released.
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) states that, “the law requires the release of offenders who have served two thirds of their sentence, but only if they are not considered dangerous.” Offenders can be released after a “thorough assessment” of what threats they pose to society. If the CSC deems a prisoner worthy, they are conditionally released.
Parole/conditional release affords offenders an opportunity to cut down on their punishment and help them get back on their feet. Although the conditions and limitations imposed by parole could, at times, seem arduous, one must agree that parole is still better than being locked up.
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