Bill C-325 aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. The bill proposes to create a new offense for breaching conditions of conditional release, specifically for individuals convicted of offenses listed in Schedules I or II of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. It mandates that any breach of these conditions must be reported to the Parole Board of Canada, the Service, the Attorney General, and the relevant police force.
Additionally, the bill seeks to limit the use of conditional sentences (serving sentences in the community) for individuals convicted of certain serious offenses. It specifies that individuals convicted of offenses carrying a maximum imprisonment term of 14 years or life, as well as certain offenses with a maximum term of 10 years (if they involve bodily harm, drug-related activities, or the use of a weapon), would be ineligible for conditional sentencing. Furthermore, it lists specific offenses, such as prison breach, criminal harassment, sexual assault, kidnapping, and others, that would also disqualify an offender from serving their sentence in the community.
Crime
This bill addresses public safety and crime by creating a new offense for breaching release conditions related to serious crimes. It also restricts the use of conditional sentences, meaning certain offenders will not be able to serve their time in the community. The bill makes sure that breaches of conditions are reported to the right authorities.