Research at a glance

Why we did this study

In Canada, offenders sentenced to life (‘Lifers’) are subject to lengthy periods of incarceration and indefinite supervision upon release. Recent research has shown that the total number of Lifers has grown by more than 20% over the past ten years. Despite their growing numbers, very few programs address the particular needs of Lifers. One such program, LifeLine, provides in-reach and community services to offenders serving life or indeterminate sentences. This study examined the impact of LifeLine on institutional outcomes for life sentenced offenders.

What we did

Male offenders who were sentenced to life between August 2007 and January 2010 were included in the study (337 men).

What we found

Approximately 30% of new Lifer admissions had used the services of LifeLine between August 2007 and March 2010. The majority of participants and non-participants were Caucasian and most were serving sentences for first- or second-degree murder.

Offenders who had not participated in LifeLine were significantly more likely to have been perpetrators or associates in minor institutional incidents (e.g., being disrespectful to staff). Further, analyses indicated that a greater amount of time spent using LifeLine services was significantly related to fewer days spent in involuntary segregation.

Importantly, participants and non-participants were also found to differ in a number of dynamic need domains. Participants were assessed as having lower levels of need at admission than non-participants. In addition, a greater proportion of participants were found to be highly motivated at admission than non-participants. These differences existed prior to involvement with LifeLine.

What it means

Overall, only one significant difference was found between LifeLine participants and non-participants; however general trends reflected positively on the LifeLine program. Differences in dynamic need and motivation between participants and non-participants at admission might indicate that highly motivated, lower need offenders are more likely to use the services of LifeLine.

The results of this research highlight the potential benefits of the LifeLine program by uncovering positive trends in service participation. Future research on LifeLine would benefit from improved and increased quantitative data collection, as well as an extended data collection period in which long-term and community outcomes can be examined.

For more information

Gottschall, S. & Axford, M. (2010). A preliminary investigation of institutional outcomes for LifeLine participants. Ottawa, ON: Correctional Service of Canada

To obtain a PDF version of the full report, contact the following address: research@csc-scc.gc.ca.

Prepared by: Marsha Axford

Contact

Research Branch
(613) 996-3287
research@csc-scc.gc.ca