Spending
The bill allows the Minister to enter into agreements with provinces for the provision of addiction treatment programs to offenders in designated facilities, and for payment by the Minister in respect of the provision of those programs.
C-283
Details
- Full Title
- An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (addiction treatment in penitentiaries)
- First Reading
- June 14, 2022, Parliament 44, Session 1
- Type
- Private Member’s Bill
- Full Content
- https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-283
Summary
Bill C-283 aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to address addiction treatment within federal penitentiaries. It allows a court to recommend that an individual sentenced to imprisonment in a penitentiary serve their sentence, or part of it, in a designated addiction treatment facility, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include evidence of problematic substance use contributing to their involvement in the criminal justice system, their consent to participate in treatment, and the court's satisfaction that such placement aligns with sentencing principles.
The bill also outlines changes to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. It introduces the concept of a "designated facility" specifically for addiction treatment and mandates that the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) place individuals with a court recommendation into such facilities as quickly as reasonably possible. The Commissioner of Corrections may designate a penitentiary or part of one as an addiction treatment facility. The purpose is to provide inmates access to programs for treatment of substance use and related services.
These amendments also require that the Correctional Service of Canada take into account information about an offender's substance use when developing a correctional plan for them. This includes considering the offender's mental health needs related to substance use. These amendments ensure inmates have access to health care including that which is provided as part of an addiction treatment program in a designated facility.
Finally, the bill allows the Minister to enter into agreements with provinces for the provision of addiction treatment programs in these designated facilities, allowing the Minister to make payments in respect of the provision of those programs. Regulations may be made to determine whether the treatment provided to an inmate in a designated facility should be altered, or whether an inmate should remain in such a facility.
Issues
Economy
Security and Defense
Crime
The bill amends the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to allow for addiction treatment in penitentiaries. It enables courts to recommend that individuals with substance use issues serve their sentences in designated addiction treatment facilities. It also ensures that the Correctional Service of Canada places these individuals in such facilities as soon as possible.