In the current context where prisons are full and starting to overflow, parole represents a decisive measure of protection of our communities, actively working to break the cycles of delinquency.
Contrary to what one might think, conditional release acts as a social safety net for the community, because people released from detention receive supervision and support in their return to society, which promotes their reintegration.
Many specialized organizations take care of accommodation, job search, return to school, detoxification and various psychosocial follow-ups for these people who often come from disadvantaged backgrounds. These ex-prisoners face many challenges and have significant needs that, in the context of conditional release, can be addressed. This invariably leads to a more successful return to society and allows them to start again on a more solid foundation that was not always there.
Parole is meritorious and allows a convicted person to serve two-thirds of their sentence in the community, with strict release and supervision criteria. Several studies indicate that the recidivism rate for these people is much lower than for those who are released later. It should also be noted that a person who does not respect their release conditions or who does not get involved in their social reintegration process will most likely return to detention.
Conditional release therefore represents a valuable opportunity to contain crime in Quebec, especially in a context of increasing violence and feelings of insecurity among the population, as reported by the Institut de la statistique du Québec and the media.
It is almost certain that if, upon leaving prison, people are left to their own devices, in the same living conditions and with the same personal problems (for example, addiction, impulsivity, cognitive distortions, poor parenting skills, etc.), the risk of recidivism will remain unchanged or even increase. The response to delinquency is complex and involves a multitude of interventions that will act on both individual characteristics and social determinants (education, poverty, employability, community belonging, etc.).
A long-term solution
The effectiveness, speed and valorization of support services are therefore crucial. People leaving a detention center are at the center of their reintegration process, must set personal goals and the new conditions on which they will want to work with specialized organizations. In doing so, they create a real chance of social reintegration, which reduces their risk of reoffending and increases the safety of our communities.
This is how the contribution of specialized organizations to society takes on its full meaning, although it is still little known. However, the latter could be better supported to deploy their services, just like many organizations in the community sector.
Incarceration is only a temporary stop to act and, unfortunately, all criminology studies show that prison does not deter a person from committing a crime. The well-documented phenomenon of “revolving doors” for short sentences, i.e. people who frequently go back and forth to detention, proves that a few additional months in prison do not change their level of dangerousness, unlike conditional release measures, which provide necessary supervision.
Conditional release, through intervention, supervision and support in the community of offenders, remains the only way to protect our communities in the long term.