C-228

Details

Full Title

An Act to establish a federal framework to reduce recidivism

First Reading

December 10, 2020, Parliament 43, Session 2

Type

Private Member’s Bill

Full Content

https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/43-2/c-228

Summary

The Reduction of Recidivism Framework Act (Bill C-228) aims to reduce the rate at which previously incarcerated individuals re-offend. The act requires the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to create and put in place a federal framework focused on lowering recidivism rates. This framework must be developed through discussions with provincial representatives, Indigenous governing bodies and organizations, and other relevant groups, including non-governmental, non-profit, faith-based, and private sector organizations.

The framework will include pilot projects and evidence-based programs to reduce recidivism. It will also focus on helping people who have been incarcerated successfully return to their communities by providing access to resources and job opportunities. Supporting faith-based and community programs that help rehabilitate these individuals is another key component. The framework also includes reviewing and using international best practices and improving risk assessment tools to remove biases and ensure access to appropriate programs.

Within one year of the Act coming into effect, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness must prepare a report outlining the federal framework and present it to Parliament. This report must also be published on the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness website within 10 days of being tabled in Parliament. The Minister is then required to provide yearly reports on the effectiveness of the framework, starting three years after the initial report is tabled.

Issues

Economy

• Jobs

  The bill aims to promote the reintegration of people who have been incarcerated back into the community through access to employment opportunities in order to lessen the likelihood of their reoffending.

Social Justice

• Reconciliation

  The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness must consult with a variety of Indigenous governing bodies and Indigenous organizations during the development and implementation of the federal framework to reduce recidivism.

• Racism

  The framework must evaluate and improve risk assessment instruments and procedures to address racial and cultural biases and ensure that all people who are incarcerated have access to appropriate programs that will help reduce recidivism.

Security and Defense

• Crime

  The entire bill focuses on crime, specifically on reducing recidivism (repeat offending) among individuals who have been incarcerated. It aims to enhance public safety by supporting the successful reintegration of offenders into society.