Canadian Criminal Justice System Overview

The Penal Voluntary Sector (PVS) encompasses non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that primarily work with criminalized individuals, aiming to provide additional support services for them in institutions and communities.

The PVS encourages the criminal justice system to take a more active interest in rehabilitation by providing individualized support and addressing the broader social and welfare needs of offenders, potentially leading to reduced recidivism.

The PVS's embedding within the criminal justice system can create tensions and blur lines between care and control, potentially leading to NGOs being pressured to align with punitive priorities rather than advocating for systemic change.

<p>They reduce the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C, prevalent conditions within prison populations. This contributes to public health safety for all. (A), Prioritizing harm reduction over punishment offers a more sustainable solution for incarcerated populations. (D), These programs acknowledge drug use as a public health issue, recognizing that it is often tied to health issues beyond criminal behavior. (F)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Implementation can face resistance from prison staff due to safety concerns about needles being used as weapons. (A), They run the risk of encouraging drug use within prisons. (B), The program itself undermines disciplinary efforts within the prison system. (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>International evidence suggests that safe-needle exchanges have been effective in reducing disease transmission without significantly impacting safety.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Delay in the criminal justice system is a concern because it undermines the principle of &quot;justice delayed is justice denied,&quot; as stated in <em>R v Jordan</em> (2016).</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increasing complexity of cases and evidence, with new technologies and digital forensics. (A), Lack of judges and court resources, leading to case backlogs. (D), Lengthy pretrial processes, including bail hearings and resolution discussions. (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Presumptive time limits provide a clear framework to prevent excessive delays, potentially ensuring more timely proceedings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The <em>Gladue</em> Decision emphasizes the need to consider Indigenous offenders' unique systemic and historical circumstances in sentencing, interpreting Section 718.2 of the Criminal Code.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The <em>Gladue</em> decision interpreted Section 718.2 of the Criminal Code.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gladue reports provide an offender's background and circumstances, including their unique cultural and societal context, informing the sentencing process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Historical parallels, with the film comparing slavery to modern-day incarceration, demonstrating the use of imprisonment as a tool of colonial oppression. (A), Economic exploitation, with the film highlighting the prison-industrial complex, a relationship mirroring PVS organizations controlled by the state for cost-efficiency. (D), Mass incarceration and systemic racism, particularly affecting Black Americans, reflecting the issue of Indigenous over-representation in Canadian prisons. (E), Harm reduction and rehabilitation, where the film, similar to course content, advocates for decarceration and more nuanced, public health-oriented approaches to crime. (F), Structural inequities, as the film discusses systemic barriers in the path to justice, mirroring issues like bail inequity and sentencing discrimination in the Canadian criminal justice system. (G)</p> Signup and view all the answers

NGOs supporting criminalized individuals, providing services, advocating for reform, working with the state to rehabilitate offenders.

Encourages the criminal justice system to prioritize rehabilitation by providing individualized support, reducing recidivism.

Potential tension between care and control; pressure on NGOs to align with punitive priorities, compromising independence and genuine reform.

Programs reducing disease transmission (HIV, Hepatitis C) in prison through safe injection practices.

Reduces disease transmission, views drug use as a health issue, prioritizes harm reduction.

Potential for increased drug use; staff safety concerns (needles as weapons), undermines discipline.

Internationally, effective in disease reduction without significant safety issues.

Unduly harming victims and accused through prolonged proceedings, undermining the principle of justice.

Lack of resources (judges, court resources), prolonged pre-trial processes, and case complexity.

Provides a framework to prevent excessive delays in court proceedings, ensuring timely resolution.

Could lead to dismissal of serious cases due to procedural time violations.

Recognizes unique circumstances of Indigenous offenders in sentencing.

Section 718.2: considers alternatives to imprisonment, and gives special attention to Indigenous offenders.

Increased awareness, but inconsistent application, insufficient resources, systemic biases limit practical change in Indigenous incarceration rates.

Large-scale imprisonment, disproportionately affecting certain groups.

Racism embedded within institutions, impacting certain groups.

Using prisoners for economic gain.

Comparison of historical practices to modern ones (e.g., slavery vs. incarceration).

Prioritizing strategies that reduce harm associated with problematic behaviors.

Systematic inequalities creating bias and injustice.

Repeat offending.