Community Corrections

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Community Corrections

Most of Canada's federal offenders serve part of their sentences in institutions. The rest of their time is served in the community, where they must follow certain conditions and are supervised by Parole Officers.

Community corrections consists of:

  • gradually releasing offenders
  • ensuring that they do not present a threat to anyone
  • helping them adjust to life in the community

This work is essential because offenders are more likely to become law-abiding citizens if they participate in a program of gradual, supervised release.

Community-based residential facilities

Community-based residential facilities include:

  • Community correctional centres
  • Community residential facilities
  • Hostels, private home placements
  • Supervised/satellite apartments

These facilities provide:

  • an effective alternative to conventional forms of incarceration
  • a bridge between the institution and the community that promotes the successful reintegration of offenders
  • accommodation for offenders released on unescorted temporary absences, day parole, full parole, work release, statutory release and those subject to long-term supervision orders
  • programming for residents such as life skills, substance abuse, employment counseling and crisis counseling

Community corrections by the numbers

During fiscal year 2019-20, CSC supervised an average of 9,376 offenders in the community on conditional release (day parole, full parole statutory release and long-term supervision order).

During this period, CSC supervised an average of 8,633 men and 743 women.

In Canada, we have:

  • 8 community corrections districts
  • 32 area parole offices
  • 92 parole offices
  • 14 community correctional centres
  • Approximately 700 parole officers working in the community

Over the past five years:

  • The average number of offenders supervised in the community by CSC on conditional release increased from 7,915 during 2014-15 to 9,376 during 2019-20, an increase of 18.5 per cent.
  • The average number of offenders supervised on day parole increased from 1,305 to 1,664, an increase of 27.5 per cent.
  • The average number of offenders supervised on full parole increased from 3,274 to 4,493, an increase of 37.2 per cent.
  • The average number of offenders supervised on statutory release decreased from 2,984 to 2,765, a decrease of 7.3 per cent.
  • The average number of offenders supervised on long-term supervision orders increased from 352 to 454, an increase of 28.8 per cent.

Updated January 2021

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