FORUM on Corrections Research

An analysis of temporary absences and the people who receive them (R-25, 1992)

This report analyzes data on temporary absences and the people who receive them. Temporary absences provide an opportunity for the correctional system (consisting of case management officers, offenders, treatment personnel, parole officers and administrators) to test the offenders' ability to behave appropriately in non-prison settings under varying degrees of supervision.

Each year there are approximately 50,000 applications for temporary absences from Correctional Service of Canada prisons. Approximately 7,000 are granted. Absences range from a few hours to three days. Successfully completed temporary absences have averaged 99.5%; however, over the last few years, success rates have risen to 99.9%.

The report presents analysis of the temporary absence program, profiling applicants and recipients, trends, offenders most likely to succeed or fail, taking into consideration fixed variables.