Canada Lacks Restriction on Ex-convicts

Lawmakers in the United States are recognizing the current weight of hardships for ex-convicts upon release and the importance that employment plays in successful reintegration. Some are trying to take action to improve this situation. In April of this year, the state of Minnesota Senate passed a bill known as “ban the box.” The bill essentially eliminated a criminal-history box that appears on most job applications. The move is meant to allow those who have committed crimes a fighting chance of rebuilding their lives once they are released from prison. Employers are still allowed to ask about a person’s criminal record in an interview, but it gives the applicant a chance to explain his or herself.

Public awareness

Public awareness continues to be a controversial issue among communities. Bradford County, Florida, now posts red warning signs outside the homes of known sex-offenders. Much like the scarlet letter worn by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s fictitious character Hester Prynne, these warning signs are meant to “name and shame” offenders. They exist to alert residents to the potential risk of living nearby previously convicted offenders. This allows families to take extra precautions and creates awareness for new families moving into the neighborhood.

In 2004, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act established the National Sex Offender Registry. This supplies law enforcement agents with a national database that contains information on convicted sex offenders. It provides police with access to information on current sex offenders such as personal information, photographs, and descriptions. However, this information can only be “used to investigate a specific crime that is suspected to be of a sexual nature only as authorized by the law.” In other words, the door is closed to the public for general awareness.

The United States, in comparison, provides sex offender registries that are available online for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and several Indian tribes. The registry gives the identity and location of known sex offenders. Most importantly, in contrast to Canada, the United States Sex Offender Registry is available to the public.

However, access to this information is becoming a lot easier for Canadians. Last year, the Christian group Canada Family Action launched a website that provided the public with the names and photographs of convicted sex offenders in Canada. While many of the offenders listed have been released, some names are of people still serving time in prison. Canada Family Action believes that the public has a right to know where the offenders are in order to protect their children from any potential danger.

The American “War on Drugs” has spawned many rigid restrictions on ex-convicts in the United States that have been released and are attempting to reintegrate into society. Studies are beginning to show, however, that these limitations may not be in the best interest of offenders and of the public. In Canada, the federal government, the CSC, and the PBC work to successfully reintegrate ex-felons into Canadian society in a way that allows for an easier transition. While each individual case is different, this system may potentially decrease cause for re-offending, thus fostering a better functioning society.

Tom DiNardo has a B.A. in History from McGill University. Tom is passionate about reading, writing, and experiencing all that life has to offer. He is currently living and working in Montreal, Quebec.

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