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Laurence L. Motiuk Raymond L. Belcourt
Research
Branch
Correctional Service of Canada
January, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
II. HOMICIDE OFFENDERS
III. SEX OFFENDERS
IV. ROBBERY OFFENDERS
V. DRUG OFFENDERS
VI. SUMMARY TABLES
I: INTRODUCTION
Sentence administration and demographic information on offenders under federal jurisdiction (those serving sentences of two years or longer) is routinely collected by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). In 1993, the CSC converted from the Offender Information System (O.I.S.) to the Offender Management System (O.M.S.). The Service had historically reported offender population statistics through quarterly publications and monthly snapshots using the Offender Population Profile System. Therefore, caution should be taken when comparing data derived from O.M.S. to data from previous years.
This report summarizes data gathered for a fourth time1 on homicide, sex, robbery and drug offenders in federal corrections. These end-of-1997 numbers reflect the prevalence or the number of offenders who have these types of crimes under federal jurisdiction. While the total number of offenders with these crimes is likely to be an underestimate, the statistical profiles generated in this report may be seen to provide general indicators of the extent and nature of these types of offenders. More specifically, distributions with respect to security level and release status as well as region are given. Comparisons are made with end-of-1994 figures to establish trends. Further, descriptive statistics in relation to gender, age, ethnicity and nature of offence are also provided.
Note: Selection criteria used to define the current federal offender population excluded the following O.M.S. Offender Current Status Table codes: deceased, on bail, sentence completed, suspended unlawfully at large, and suspended temporary detained.
1 L.L. Motiuk and R.L. Belcourt, Statistical Profiles of Homicide, Sex, Robbery and Drug Offenders in Federal Corrections: An End-of-1996 Review (Ottawa: Correctional Service Canada, 1997).
II: HOMICIDE OFFENDERS
BACKGROUND
In Canada, the crimes classified as homicide include: first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter and infanticide. Deaths caused by criminal negligence, suicide, accidental or justifiable homicide are not included.
Although homicides represent less than 1%of all violent crimes, criminal justice agencies have been collecting homicide statistics since 1961 to closely monitor the extent and trends of such offenses.
The following is an end-of-1997 review of statistical information available on homicide offenders then under federal jurisdiction.
THE CURRENT SITUATION
Total Homicide Population
On 31 December 1997, a review of CSC's offender management system yielded a total of 4,771homicide offenders under federal jurisdiction and comprise one-fifth (21.5%)of the total federal offender population.
Incarcerated Homicide Population
More specifically:
- minimum security: 17.1%of all homicide offenders;
- medium security: 58.2%of all homicide offenders; and
- maximum security: 24.7%of all homicide offenders.
Conditional Release Homicide Population
More specifically:
- 258 or 15.7%were on day parole;
- 1,225 or 74.3%were on full parole; and
- 166 or 10.1.%were on statutory release
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF HOMICIDE OFFENDERS
- More specifically:
- Atlantic: 7.2% of homicide offenders, and 9.0%of all offenders
- (proportionately fewerhomicide offenders);
- Quebec: 27.1%of homicide offenders, and 28.1%of all offenders
- (proportionately fewerhomicide offenders);
- Ontario: 28.6%of homicide offenders, and 26.7%of all offenders
- (proportionately morehomicide offenders);
- Prairies: 18.2%of homicide offenders, and 22.8%of all offenders
- (proportionately fewerhomicide offenders); and
- Pacific: 18.9%of homicide offenders, and 13.4%of all offenders
- (proportionately morehomicide offenders).
HOMICIDE OFFENDER POPULATION TRENDS
CHARACTERISTICS OF HOMICIDE OFFENDERS
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
Nature of Offence
698cases of first degree murder, and 14.6%of all homicide offenders;
2,605cases of second degree murder, and 54.6%of all homicide offenders;
1,468 cases of manslaughter, and 30.8%of all homicide offenders; and
0cases of infanticide, and 0.0%of all homicide offenders.
III: SEX OFFENDERS
BACKGROUND
The following is an end-of-1997 review of statistical information available on sex offenders then under federal jurisdiction.
THE CURRENT SITUATION
Total Sex Offender Population
Incarcerated Sex Offender Population
More specifically:
Conditional Release Sex Offender Population
More specifically:
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF SEX OFFENDERS
- More specifically:
SEX OFFENDER POPULATION TRENDS
CHARACTERISTICS OF SEX OFFENDERS
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
IV: ROBBERY OFFENDERS
BACKGROUND
In Canada, the crimes classified as robbery include: armed robbery and robbery with violence, threats or use of a weapon. Break and enter with intent to commit robbery is not included.
Although robberies represent less than 10%of all violent crimes, criminal justice agencies regularly collect robbery statistics to monitor the extent and trends of these offenses.
The following is an end-of-1997 review of the statistical information available on robbery offenders then under federal jurisdiction.
THE CURRENT SITUATION
Total Robbery Population
Incarcerated Robbery Population
- minimum security: 11.5%of all robbery offenders;
- medium security: 63.1%of all robbery offenders; and
- maximum security: 25.4%of all robbery offenders.
Conditional Release Robbery Population
More specifically:
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF ROBBERY OFFENDERS
- More specifically:
- Atlantic: 7.0%of robbery offenders, and 9.0% of all offenders (proportionately fewerrobbery offenders);
- Quebec: 36.9%of robbery offenders, and 28.1% of all offenders (proportionately morerobbery offenders);
- Ontario: 24.4%of robbery offenders, and 26.7% of all offenders (proportionately fewerrobbery offenders);
- Prairies: 20.1%of robbery offenders, and 22.8% of all offenders (proportionately fewerrobbery offenders); and
- Pacific: 11.8%of robbery offenders, and 13.4% of all offenders (proportionately fewerrobbery offenders).
ROBBERY OFFENDER POPULATION TRENDS
CHARACTERISTICS OF ROBBERY OFFENDERS
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
- Caucasian: 78.2%of robbery offenders, and 73.1% of all offenders (proportionately morerobbery offenders);
- .Native: 12.0%of robbery offenders, and 13.2% of all offenders (proportionately fewerrobbery offenders);
- Black: 6.5%of robbery offenders, and 6.4% of all offenders (about the same proportion);
- Asiatic: 1.3%of robbery offenders, and 2.9% of all offenders (proportionately fewerrobbery offenders); and
- Other: 2.1%of robbery offenders, and 4.4% of all offenders (proportionately fewerrobbery offenders).
V: DRUG OFFENDERS
BACKGROUND
In Canada, the crimes classified as drug offenses include those under the Food and Drug Act (FDA) and the Narcotics Control Act (NCA).
The following is an end-of-1997 review of statistical information available on drug offenders then under federal jurisdiction.
THE CURRENT SITUATION
Total Drug Offender Population
Incarcerated Drug Offender Population
- More specifically:
- minimum security: 19.3% of all drug offenders;
- medium security:59.7% of all drug offenders; and
- maximum security:21.0% of all drug offenders.
Conditional Release Drug Offender Population
- 454 or 15.9%were on day parole;
- 1,695 or 59.4%were on full parole; and
- 707 or 24.8%were on statutory release.
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF DRUG OFFENDERS
- More specifically:
- Atlantic: 7.8%of drug offenders, and 9.0% of all offenders (proportionately fewerdrug offenders);
- Quebec: 37.4%of drug offenders, and 28.1% of all offenders (proportionately moredrug offenders);
- Ontario: 26.1%of drug offenders, and 26.7% of all offenders (about the same proportion);
- Prairies: 18.5%of drug offenders, and 22.8% of all offenders (proportionately fewerdrug offenders);
- Pacific: 10.3%of drug offenders, and 13.4% of all offenders (proportionately fewer drug offenders).
DRUG OFFENDER POPULATION TRENDS
CHARACTERISTICS OF DRUG OFFENDERS
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
- Caucasian: 71.6%of drug offenders, and 73.1% of all offenders (proportionately fewerdrug offenders);
- Native: 6.5%of drug offenders, and 13.2%of all offenders (proportionately fewer drug offenders);
- Black: 10.0%of drug offenders, and 6.4%of all offenders (proportionately more drug offenders);
- Asiatic: 6.2%of drug offenders, and 2.9% of all offenders (proportionately more drug offenders); and
- Other: 5.8%of drug offenders, and 4.4%of all offenders (proportionately more drug offenders).
VI: SUMMARY TABLES
DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL OFFENDERS BY STATUS
END-OF-YEAR |
# |
(%) |
CUSTODY # (%) |
COMMUNITY # (%) | |
HOMICIDE:
|
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
4,393
4,318 4,553 4,771 |
(20.0)
(18.9) (20.1) (21.5) |
2,896
(65.9)
2,784 (64.5) 3,002 (65.9) 3,122 (65.4) |
1,497
(34.1)
1,534 (35.5) 1,551 (34.1) 1,649 (34.6) |
SEX:
|
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
3,748
3,875 4,041 3,914 |
(16.9)
(17.0) (17.9) (17.6) |
2,703
(72.1)
2,766 (71.3) 2,974 (73.6) 2,771 (70.8) |
1,045
(27.9)
1,109 (28.7) 1,067 (26.4) 1,143 (29.2) |
ROBBERY:
|
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
7,408
7,199 7,418 7,136 |
(33.5)
(31.6) (32.8) (32.1) |
4,824
(65.1)
4,606 (63.9) 4,902 (66.1) 4,737 (66.4) |
2,584
(34.9)
2,593 (36.1) 2,516 (33.9) 2,399 (33.6) |
DRUG:
|
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
5,117
5,310 5,615 5,515 |
(23.1)
(23.3) (24.8) (24.8) |
2,540
(49.6)
2,590 (48.8) 2,899 (51.6) 2,659 (48.2) |
2,577
(50.4)
2,720 (51.2) 2,716 (48.4) 2,856 (51.8) |
DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL OFFENDERS BY SECURITY LEVEL
END-OF-YEAR |
#/ (%) |
MINIMUM % |
MEDIUM % |
MAXIMUM % | |
HOMICIDE: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
2,896 2,784 3,002 3,122 |
11.6 13.1 15.7 17.1 |
55.2 56.3 56.4 58.2 |
33.2 29.7 27.9 24.7 |
SEX: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
2,703 2,766 2,974 2,771 |
11.6 11.9 11.5 12.6 |
66.0 67.8 68.6 68.4 |
22.4 20.0 19.9 19.0 |
ROBBERY: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
4,824 4,606 4,902 4,737 |
8.1 8.8 9.3 11.5 |
63.4 62.4 63.9 63.1 |
28.5 27.7 26.8 25.4 |
DRUG: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
2,540 2,590 2,899 2,659 |
16.4 16.3 17.4 19.3 |
61.0 60.6 59.7 59.7 |
22.6 22.5 22.9 21.0 |
DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL OFFENDERS BY RELEASE STATUS
END-OF-YEAR |
#/ (%) |
DAY PAROLE % |
FULL PAROLE % |
STAT. RELEASE % | |
HOMICIDE: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
1,497 1,534 1,551 1,649 |
14.4 13.8 12.8 15.7 |
79.7 79.1 79.1 74.3 |
5.9 7.0 8.1 10.1 |
SEX: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
1,045 1,109 1,007 1,143 |
15.2 12.3 12.3 14.0 |
42.0 38.1 35.6 31.5 |
42.7 49.4 52.1 54.5 |
ROBBERY: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
2,584 2,593 2,516 2,339 |
21.6 19.5 16.1 17.1 |
41.5 36.3 34.0 31.8 |
36.7 44.1 49.9 51.1 |
DRUG: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
2,577 2,720 2,716 2,856 |
14.9 12.1 10.2 15.9 |
64.9 63.4 63.4 59.4 |
20.2 24.5 26.4 24.7 |
DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL OFFENDERS BY REGION
END-OF-YEAR |
ATL. % |
QUE. % |
ONT. % |
PRA. % |
PAC. % | |
HOMICIDE: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
6.7 6.7 6.9 7.2 |
27.2 27.2 26.9 27.1 |
29.9 29.7 29.5 28.6 |
18.8 18.6 18.4 18.2 |
17.4 17.8 18.3 18.9 |
SEX: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
13.0 12.4 11.4 10.7 |
20.1 19.3 19.0 19.1 |
26.9 24.7 24.5 24.2 |
27.3 28.5 30.7 31.8 |
15.5 15.1 14.5 14.2 |
ROBBERY: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
6.7 6.5 7.3 7.4 |
37.6 38.0 36.9 36.0 |
24.6 23.7 23.7 23.7 |
18.0 18.2 19.0 19.9 |
13.1 13.6 13.0 13.0 |
DRUG: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
7.2 7.7 8.0 7.8 |
37.8 38.5 38.2 37.4 |
27.9 27.2 26.1 26.1 |
16.1 15.7 17.3 18.5 |
10.9 10.9 10.4 10.3 |
OVERALL: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
9.9 9.8 9.5 9.0 |
28.9 29.2 28.5 28.1 |
27.6 27.1 26.8 26.7 |
20.2 20.5 22.0 22.8 |
13.4 13.5 13.5 13.4 |
DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL OFFENDERS BY GENDER
END-OF-YEAR |
# |
% |
MALES % |
FEMALES % (#) | |
HOMICIDE: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
4,393 4,318 4,553 4,771 |
20.0 18.9 20.1 21.5 |
96.0 96.5 96.3 95.8 |
4.0 (176) 3.5 (152) 3.7 (167) 4.2 (199) |
SEX: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
3,748 3,875 4,041 3,914 |
16.9 17.0 17.9 17.6 |
99.5 99.7 99.7 99.6 |
0.5 (17) 0.3 (10) 0.3 (14) 0.4 (15) |
ROBBERY: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
7,408 7,199 7,418 7,136 |
33.5 31.6 32.8 32.1 |
99.0 98.9 98.8 98.4 |
1.0 (89) 1.1 (82) 1.2 (88) 1.6 (115) |
DRUG: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
5,117 5,310 5,615 5,515 |
23.1 23.3 24.8 24.8 |
97.0 96.8 95.9 95.0 |
3.0 (163) 3.2 (172) 4.1 (228) 5.0 (273) |
DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL OFFENDERS BY AVERAGE AGE
END-OF-YEAR |
UNDER FEDERALJURISDICTION |
AT ADMISSION | |
HOMICIDE: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
42 YEARS (18-89) 42 YEARS (20-89) 43 YEARS (20-93) 43 YEARS (20-91) |
36 YEARS (16-87) 36 YEARS (18-84) 36 YEARS (18-84) 36 YEARS (18-84) |
SEX: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
41 YEARS (19-86) 42 YEARS (20-85) 43 YEARS (19-89) 46 YEARS (20-89) |
39 YEARS (15-85) 40 YEARS (18-82) 41 YEARS (18-81) 43 YEARS (19-83) |
ROBBERY: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
34 YEARS (16-78) 35 YEARS (19-78) 35 YEARS (19-79) 35 YEARS (19-75) |
31 YEARS (16-65) 33 YEARS (18-68) 33 YEARS (18-68) 33 YEARS (18 -68) |
DRUG: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
36 YEARS (18-81) 36 YEARS (20-73) 37 YEARS (19-76) 38 YEARS (20-75) |
34 YEARS (17-74) 35 YEARS (18-71) 35 YEARS (18-73) 36 YEARS (19-69) |
DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL OFFENDERS BY ETHNICITY
END-OF-YEAR |
CAUCASIAN % |
NATIVE % |
BLACK % |
ASIAN % |
OTHER % | |
HOMICIDE: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
78.9 78.3 77.3 76.0 |
13.0 13.4 13.8 14.6 |
3.1 3.2 3.5 3.9 |
1.0 1.3 1.5 1.5 |
4.0 3.9 3.9 3.9 |
SEX: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
76.2 76.0 74.1 73.4 |
16.5 16.5 17.8 19.0 |
4.5 4.4 4.5 4.7 |
0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 |
2.5 2.6 3.0 3.2 |
ROBBERY: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
82.4 81.5 79.7 78.1 |
9.3 9.9 10.9 12.0 |
5.4 5.8 6.4 6.5 |
1.1 1.2 1.2 1.3 |
1.8 1.7 1.8 2.1 |
DRUG: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
81.1 76.4 74.2 71.6 |
4.8 4.8 5.6 6.5 |
8.3 9.2 9.5 10.0 |
3.8 4.3 5.2 6.2 |
2.0 5.3 5.5 5.8 |
OVERALL: |
1994 1995 1996 1997 |
78.3 77.0 75.2 73.1 |
10.5 10.9 12.0 13.2 |
5.5 6.0 6.3 6.4 |
1.9 2.2 2.5 2.9 |
3.8 3.9 4.1 4.4 |