Program Delivery Context - Offender Population

Program Delivery Context

Offender Population

Tables 1-15

Figure 1. The Federal Offender Population

• On April 8, 2018, the total federal offender population increased 0.8% compared to the previous year (the snapshot of April 9, 2017). The federal incarcerated offender population decreased 1.0%, while the federal conditional release population increased 3.3%.

Figure 2. Annual Changes in the Federal Offender Population

In the three years between 2011/12 and 2013/14, annual increases in the incarcerated offender population were larger than those in the conditional release offender population. This was in part related to the abolition of accelerated parole review (APR) in 2010/11. Higher proportions of non-violent offenders were released later in their sentences in the following years. Additionally, in 2016/17 and 2017/18, larger proportions of offenders serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences were released on day and full parole. Combined, these increases in releases of non-violent offenders and offenders serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences resulted in four consecutive increases in the federal conditional release population between 2014/15 and 2017/18.

• The federal incarcerated offender population decreased in 2017/18 in the Atlantic (-0.9%), Quebec (-2.7%) and Prairie (-3.7%) regions. The federal incarcerated offender population increased in the Ontario (+1.1%) and Pacific (+3.3%) regions when compared to the previous year.
• In 2017/18, the federal conditional release offender population decreased in the Quebec region (-1.1%), while it increased in the Atlantic (+4.2%), Ontario (+6.4%), Prairie (+6.1%) and Pacific (+1.1%) regions.

It is important to note that annual changes vary from region to region. This is in part attributed to the offence profile of the regional offender population. The Pacific region, for example, reported the largest proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for murder in 2017/18 (34%) and the lowest proportions of federal offenders serving sentences for drug offences (10%) and for non-scheduled offences (10%). The Prairie region reported the smallest proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for murder (14%), while the highest for those serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences (42%). The Quebec and Ontario regions reported the highest proportions of federal offenders serving sentences for drug offences (19% and 20% respectively). The Ontario region also reported the highest proportion of sex offenders (14%), while the lowest proportion of those serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences (32%). The Atlantic region had the highest proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for non-scheduled offences (16%) and the lowest proportion of offenders serving sentences for sex offences (10%).

• Across Canada, the overall increase in the federal conditional release population was driven by the federal full parole population, which increased 8.7% in 2017/18, and by the federal day parole population, which increased 6.7%. The number of federal offenders on statutory release decreased (-5.1%) in 2017/18 when compared to the previous year.
• The increase in the federal day parole population was driven primarily by the Atlantic (+17.3%), Ontario (+16.6%) and Prairie (+19.4%) regions, while a smaller increase was reported in the Pacific region (+4.0%). The federal day parole population decreased in the Quebec region (-14%). Overall, an increase in admissions on warrants of committal two years earlier (+2%) as well as a small increase in the day parole grant rate (+1%) in 2017/18 resulted in more offenders on federal day parole in 2017/18.
• The increase in the federal day parole population in the Quebec region in 2016/17 (+32.0%) was followed by a decrease in 2017/18 (-13.7%). The increase in the previous year was attributed to the availability of new parole programs in the region as well as to in-reach conducted by the Board with offenders raising awareness about conditional release. In 2017/18, many of these offenders graduated to full parole as evidenced by an 18% increase in graduations from day prole to full parole in the Quebec region when compared to 2016/17.
• The federal full parole population increased in all regions, driven by the Quebec (+11.7%) and Ontario (+12.3%) regions. Smaller increases were reported in the Atlantic (+7.8%), Prairie (+4.6%) and Pacific (+2.7%) regions. These increases usually follow increases in the day parole population in the same year or the previous year.
• The statutory release population decreased 5.1% in 2017/18. The Atlantic (-8.6%), Quebec (-11.5%) and Ontario (-5.4%) regions accounted for the majority of the decrease in the statutory release offender population in 2017/18. A smaller decrease was reported in the Pacific region (-3.5%), while the Prairie region reported a small increase (+1.8%).
• As for the provincial conditional release population in 2017/18, it increased to 170 (from 147 in 2016/17). Eighty-two provincial offenders were on day parole and 88 provincial offenders were on full parole.

Figure 3. Federal Full Parole and Statutory Release Offender Populations

While traditionally the federal full parole population has been larger than the statutory release population, this trend was reversed in 2011/12 and the statutory release population remained larger than the full parole population for the following two years. However, in 2014/15, the federal full parole population surpassed the statutory release population once again.

In 2017/18, federal full parolees accounted for 45% of the federal conditional release population compared to 33% of offenders on statutory release.

• The number of Indigenous federal inmates increased again in 2017/18 and their proportion increased to 27%. White offenders represented 52% of the federal inmate population; Asian offenders represented 4%, Black offenders, 8% and offenders in the Other category, 8%.
• By comparison, the proportion of federal offenders on conditional release increased for Indigenous offenders (to 19%) and offenders in the Other category (to 6%), while it decreased for White offenders (to 62%) and remained relatively unchanged for Asian (at 6%) and Black (at 8%) offenders.
• In 2017/18, the highest proportion of Indigenous offenders was in the Prairie region: 50% of federal male inmates and 62% of federal female inmates in the Prairie region were Indigenous. By comparison, 36% of federal male offenders on conditional release and 56% of federal female offenders on conditional release in the Prairie region were Indigenous.
• Overall, federal male offenders represented 92% of the federal conditional release population and 95% of the federal incarcerated offender population in 2017/18. Female offenders represented 8% of federal offenders on conditional release and 5% of the federal inmate population.
• On April 8, 2018, 9,664 federal offenders on conditional release were serving their sentences in Canada and 408 federal offenders had been deported. Offenders who have been deported or extradited are listed as active offenders by CSC until sentence completion.

Federal Offender Profile

Figure 4. Offence Profile of the Total Federal Offender Population

• On April 8, 2018, 21% of federal offenders were serving sentences for murder, 12% were serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences, 36% were serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences, 18% were serving sentences for schedule II offences and 13% were serving sentences for non-scheduled offences.
• In 2017/18, the changes in the proportions were not significant for federal offenders serving sentences for murder, schedule I and schedule II offences when compared to the previous year.
• The proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for non-scheduled offences decreased slightly 0.4% in 2017/18 when compared to 2016/17.

Figure 5. Offence Profile of the Federal Incarcerated Offender Population

• On April 8, 2018, 22% of federal incarcerated offenders were serving sentences for murder, 12% were serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences, 39% were serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences, 14% were serving sentences for schedule II offences and 12% were serving sentences for non-scheduled offences.
• The proportion of federal incarcerated offenders serving sentences for murder, schedule II and non-scheduled offences remained stable in 2017/18 compared to 2016/17.
• The proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences decreased 0.6% in 2017/18 from the previous year, as reflected by a similar decrease in admissions of these offenders to federal custody.
• The proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences decreased negligibly 0.1% (from 39.56% to 39.45%). (Rounded rates in this case may lead to a misleading interpretation).

Figure 6. Offence Profile of the Federal Day Parole Population

• On April 8, 2018, 18% of federal offenders on day parole were serving sentences for murder, 10% were serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences, 31% were serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences, 27% were serving sentences for schedule II offences and 14% were serving sentences for non-scheduled offences.
• There were no significant changes in the proportions of federal offenders serving sentences for murder, schedule I-non-sex offences and non-scheduled offences on day parole in 2017/18 when compared to the previous year.
• The proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences on day parole in 2017/18 increased 1.6% compared to 2016/17, mostly due to an increase in the proportion of federal releases of these offenders from institutions on day parole (+1.5%).
• In 2017/18, the proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for schedule II offences on day parole decreased 2.2% from the previous year. A part of the decrease could be explained by a decrease in the proportion of admissions of these offenders to federal custody (-0.6%) two years earlier. Another reason was a decrease in the proportion of releases of these offenders on day parole (directly from institutions as well as continuations of day paroles) in 2017/18 (-1.3%) when compared to 2016/17.

Figure 7. Offence Profile of the Federal Full Parole Population

• On April 8, 2018, 38% of federal offenders on full parole were serving sentences for murder, 6% were serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences, 17% were serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences, 28% were serving sentences for schedule II offences and 11% were serving sentences for non-scheduled offences.
• There were no significant changes in 2017/18 in the proportions of non-violent offenders (serving sentences for schedule II and non-scheduled offences) on full parole when compared to the previous year.
• In 2017/18, the proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences on full parole increased by 0.7% (from 5.6% in 2016/17 to 6.3% in 2017/18) when compared to the previous year. This is likely due to the fact that a larger proportion of these offenders graduated from day parole to full parole in 2016/17 (+2.8%) and remained on parole in 2017/18. Federal sex offenders are the most likely of all offender groups to complete full paroles without being revoked. 
• The proportion of federal offenders serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences on full parole increased 1.0% in 2017/18 compared to the previous year, which was by and large the result of a 0.9% increase in the proportion of releases of these offenders on full parole, including graduations from day parole to full parole.
• The proportion decreased for offenders serving sentences for murder on full parole in 2017/18 (-1.7%). While the number of these offenders on full parole grew by 66 individuals, their proportion was deflated by a larger increase in the proportion of offenders serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences (+1.0%).  

Figure 8. Offence Profile of the Federal Statutory Release Population

• On April 8, 2018, 15% of federal offenders on statutory release were serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences, 53% were serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences, 17% were serving sentences for schedule II offences and 16% were serving sentences for non-scheduled offences.
• A large decrease in the proportion of offenders on statutory release was reported for those serving sentences for schedule II offences (-2.9%). The decrease follows an overall decrease in admissions of these offenders to federal custody a year earlier (0.6% in 2016/17) , as well as a higher proportion being released on full parole (+1.1%) in 2017/18, instead of statutory release, thus making its proportion on statutory release smaller in 2017/18.
• The proportion of offenders serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences on statutory release increased 1.6% in 2017/18 compared to last year. The number dropped by 37 individuals, however a large decrease in the proportion of drug offenders inflated the proportion of this offender group.
• A modest increase in the proportion was reported for federal offenders serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences (+1.3%). The actual numbers increased by 18 individuals, however decreases in the actual number for three other offender groups inflated an increase in the proportion of sex offenders in 2017/18.
• The proportion remained relatively the same for federal offenders serving sentences for non-scheduled offences on statutory release in 2017/18.

Race Profile

• In 2017/18, 19% of Indigenous federal offenders were serving sentences for murder, 11% were serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences, 49% were serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences, 9% for schedule II offences and 12% for non-scheduled offences.
• In 2017/18, Indigenous federal offenders, whether incarcerated or on conditional release (day parole, full parole and statutory release) were the most likely to be serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences when compared to the other race groups.
• In 2017/18, Indigenous federal offenders sentenced for murder, schedule I offences, as well as non-scheduled offences were the most likely to be incarcerated than be on any type of conditional release. As for those Indigenous offenders sentenced for schedule II offences, they were the most likely to be serving sentences on statutory release.
• In 2017/18, 19% of Asian federal offenders were serving sentences for murder, 5% were serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences, 30% were serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences, 36% for schedule II offences and 11% for non-scheduled offences.
• Asian federal offenders, whether incarcerated or on conditional release (day parole, full parole and statutory release) were the most likely to be serving sentences for schedule II offences when compared to other race groups.
• In 2017/18, Asian federal offenders sentenced for murder were the most likely to be serving their  sentences on day parole. Those sentenced for schedule I-non-sex offences, schedule II and non-scheduled offences were more likely to be serving sentences on full parole rather than on other types of conditional release. Asian offenders sentenced for sex offences were the most likely to be serving their sentences on statutory release.
• In 2017/18, 21% of Black federal offenders were serving sentences for murder, 7% were serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences, 42% were serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences, 21% for schedule II offences and 9% for non-scheduled offences.
• Black offenders sentenced for schedule I-sex and non-sex offences were the most likely to be serving their sentences on statutory release. Black offenders sentenced for schedule II and non-scheduled offences were the most likely to be serving their sentences on full parole and, those sentenced for murder were more likely to be incarcerated than on day or full parole.
• In 2017/18, 24% of White federal offenders were serving sentences for murder, 14% were serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences, 31% were serving sentences for schedule I-non-sex offences, 18% for schedule II offences and 13% for non-scheduled offences.
• When compared to other race groups, White offenders, whether incarcerated or on conditional release (day parole, full parole and statutory release) were the most likely to be serving sentences for schedule I-sex offences. Of the incarcerated population, they were also the most likely to be serving sentences for murder.
• With the exception of White offenders serving sentences for schedule II offences, White offenders were the most likely to be serving their sentences on full parole in 2017/18 (those sentenced for murder, schedule I offences and non-scheduled offences). White offenders sentenced for drug offences, were more likely to be serving their sentences on day parole or statutory release.
• As for federal offenders in the Other race group, 13% were serving sentences for murder, 12% for schedule I-sex offences, 33% for schedule I-non-sex offences, 27% for schedule II offences, and 15% for non-scheduled offences in 2017/18.
• In 2017/18, federal offenders in the Other race group sentenced for murder, schedule II and non-scheduled offences were more likely to be incarcerated than on any type of conditional release. Those sentenced for schedule I-sex offences were the most likely to be serving their sentences on full parole, and those sentenced for schedule I‑non-sex  offences were the most likely to be serving their sentences on day parole.

Gender Profile

• In 2017/18, 22% of federal male offenders were serving sentences for murder, 13% for schedule I-sex offences, 36% for schedule I-non-sex offences, 17% for schedule II offences and 12% for non-scheduled offences.
• As for women, 17% were serving sentences for murder in 2017/18, 3% for schedule I‑sex offences, 33% for schedule I-non-sex offences, 30% for schedule II offences and 17% for non-scheduled offences.
• Overall, men were more likely to be serving sentences for violent offences (murder and schedule I) than women, and women were more likely to be serving sentences for non‑violent offences (schedule II and non-scheduled).
• In 2017/18, male offenders sentenced for murder and schedule I-non-sex offences were more likely to be incarcerated than on any type of conditional release. Those sentenced for schedule I-sex, schedule II and non-scheduled offences were the most likely to be serving their sentences on statutory release.
• All women federal offenders in 2017/18 were more likely to be serving their sentences on day parole, regardless of the offence type. As for non-violent offences  much larger proportions of women were serving their sentences on day and full parole than on statutory release or were incarcerated.

Table 1. Federal Offender Population

Note: Excluded as of April 8, 2018, were: escapees (122), those on bail (206), and UAL (460).

Definition: Incarcerated population includes: offenders serving federal sentences in penitentiaries and in provincial facilities, those housed as inmates in Community Correctional Centres (as distinguished from conditionally released offenders), those temporarily absent from the institution on some form of temporary release (Temporary Absence or Work Release), and those remanded in federal custody.

Conditional Release population includes: those federal offenders conditionally released on day parole, full parole and statutory release including those paroled for deportation and those on long-term supervision orders and temporary detainees whether detained in a penitentiary or a provincial jail.

Table 2. Federal Offender Population by Region

Note: Excluded as of April 8, 2018, were: escapees (2 Atlantic, 21 Quebec, 52 Ontario, 17 Prairies and 30 Pacific), those on bail (10 Atlantic, 35 Quebec, 96 Ontario, 48 Prairies and 17 Pacific) and UAL (27 Atlantic, 101 Quebec, 101 Ontario, 167 Prairies and 64 Pacific).

Table 3. Federal Incarcerated Population by Region

Table 4. Federal Incarcerated Population by Indigenous and Race

Table 5. Federal Incarcerated Population by Gender

Table 6. Federal Conditional Release Population

Note 1: As of April 8, 2018, excluded UAL from supervision were 88 DP (4.8% of total DPs), 106 FP (2.3% of total FPs), 260 SR (7.2% of total SRs) and 6 LTS (1.2% of total LTSs).

Note 2: Totals include offenders who were deported or extradited.

Table 7. Federal Conditional Release Population by Region

* Includes offenders who were deported following release on UTA (per Criminal Code of Canada).
Note: Excluded as of April 8, 2018, were UAL (27 Atlantic, 101 Quebec, 101 Ontario, 167 Prairies and 64 Pacific).

Table 8. Federal Conditional Release Population by Indigenous and Race

Table 9. Federal Conditional Release Population by Gender

Table 10. Provincial Conditional Release Population by Region

Note: Excluded as of April 8, 2018, were: 12 UAL (3 Atlantic, 3 Prairies and 6 Pacific).
The provincial cases in the Quebec and Ontario regions were transfers from another region upon parole release or on an exchange of service.

Table 11. Offence Profile of the Total Federal Offender Population by Region (%)

Table 12. Offence Profile of the Federal Incarcerated and Conditional Release Population by Region in 2017/18 (%)

Table 13. Offence Profile of the Federal Conditional Release Population (%)

Table 14. Offence Profile of the Total Federal Offender Population by Indigenous and Race (%)

Table 15. Offence Profile of the Total Federal Offender Population by Gender (%)