POPULATION AGING AND THE CHALLENGES FOR CORRECTIONS (2 Programs)
"In managing the growing wave of older offenders, it would be wise to avoid some of the mistakes we have already made along the way in regards to the mentally ill. Just as prisons today have become the new asylums, we do not want the prisons of tomorrow to become the new geriatric facilities."
Keynote Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator for Canada
Within the last decade, the number of Canadian prisoners aged 50 or older has increased by more than 50%. Many incarcerated aging people exhibit health degradation more commonly associated with much older persons.
In PART ONE, Howard Sapers, the Correctional Investigator for Canada, explains some of the features, causes, challenges and concerns of this increasing population of aging offenders. "As a society, we need to pay more attention to sentencing reforms and parole practices that have contributed to more offenders serving more of their sentences in prison..." Sapers cogently argues for policy and planning that might well serve both aging offenders and Canadian society. His ideas include prison infrastructure refits, the development of compassionate release options for the incapacitated and the terminally ill, and amendments to the CCRA to allow for the release of geriatric prisoners. 52 minutes
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Distinguished Panelists - Liz Elliott, Centre For Restorative Justice, School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, Zender Kats, Regional Treatment Centre, Correctional Service of Canada, Jacquelynne Duguay, Chilliwack Community Correctional Centre
In PART TWO, the speakers and audience members present an array of experience and perspectives which reinforces the importance of human relationship in dealing with our incarcerated citizens, especially those who require serious medical treatment and palliative or hospice care. The values of rehabilitation and reintegration emerge as a theme that reflects the expectations of Canadians in regards to their prison system. 46 minutes
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The Ting Forum on Justice Policy probes the frontiers of justice issues where policy is emerging in new areas of legislation or new arenas of practice. From legislative intent to implementation in the street, from local issues to international issues, the Ting Forums provide an environment for researchers, academics and the general public to discuss and debate crucial issues related to criminal justice and social policies and their consequences for Canadian society.
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