absolute discharge: criminal sentence where convicted person is released, and their criminal record is destroyed after one year
aggravating factors: those circumstances that would increase the severity of the sentence
BC Corrections: the BC provincial government agency that runs and staffs provincial prisons
binding over: court order to keep the peace and demonstrate good behaviour for up to 12 months
concurrent sentences: multiple prison sentences served at the same time
conditional discharge: sentence where convicted person is released under strict conditions, and their criminal record is destroyed after 3 years
conditional release: when a person leaves custody, but finishes the term of their sentence in the community
conditional sentence: prison sentence served in the community with strict terms attached (ie. essentially 'house arrest')
consecutive sentences: multiple prison sentences served one after another
Correctional Service of Canada (CSC): the federal government agency that runs and staffs federal correctional facilities
dangerous offender: one who represents a threat to life, safety, or well-being of others
day parole: conditional absence from custody during the day only
denunciation: punishment designed to send a message to the public denouncing the actions of the offender
deportation: criminal sentence where convicted person is expelled from Canada
electronic monitoring: prison sentence served at home, using electronic monitoring devices
fines: criminal sentence requiring payment of specific amount of money as penalty for crime
full parole: conditional release from custody after inmate has served at least ⅓ to ½ of a sentence
general deterrence: punishment that discourages the general public from committing that offense
incarceration: criminal sentence involving imprisonment for a specified period of time
intermittent sentence: prison sentence served evenings and on weekends
mitigating factors: those circumstances that would decrease the severity of the sentence
National Parole Board (NPB): independent administrative tribunal that has jurisdiction to grant or deny parole requests of inmates
pardon: the setting aside of someone’s criminal conviction
parole: the early release into the community of an inmate on the promise of good behaviour
plea bargain: when accused pleads guilty to lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence
pre-sentence report: report prepared by probation officer that contains information about offender’s background, family, education, employment, physical, and mental health
probation: a criminal sentence that allows a convicted person to live in the community following specific conditions, and under the supervision of a probation officer
psychiatric assessment: report prepared by psychiatrist that contains mental history of the offender, including any psychological tests ordered
rehabilitation: criminal sentence combining punishment, treatment, and training to help offender become more productive member of society
restorative justice program: non-traditional sentencing uniting victim, offender, and community
sentence: the punishment imposed on a person convicted of a crime
sentencing hearing: where judge meets with Crown and defence to hear recommendations as to sentence for the offender
statutory release: release, by law, after someone has completed ⅔ of a prison sentence
specific deterrence: punishment that discourages the convicted person from committing an offense again
suspended sentence: prison sentence that is not carried out, as long as convicted person upholds certain conditions
suspension of privileges: criminal sentence that withholds privileges of the convicted person for specified period of time
unescorted temporary absence: where someone is briefly (few hours to few days) released from prison to participate in community service or for personal reasons
victim impact statement: statement prepared by the victim or victim’s family that outlines the harm done, or the loss suffered, as a result of the criminal offense
work release: when an inmate may conditionally leave custody to perform paid or volunteer work under supervision
Blair, A., Costiniuk, W., Moles, G., O’Malley, L., & Wasserman, A. (2009). Law in Action - Understanding Canadian Law (2nd Ed.). Pearson.
Correctional Centres. August 5, 2024. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/corrections/correctional-centres
Correctional Service Canada. August 5, 2024. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service.html
Correctional Service of Canada: Institutional Security Levels. August 5, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/corporate/library/you-csc/victims/institutional-security-levels.html
Criminal Code. August 23, 2022. Justice Laws Website. Government of Canada. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/
Gibson , D.L., Murphy, T.G., Jarman, F.E., & Grant, D. (2003). All About Law (5th Ed.). Thomson Nelson.
How Sentences Are Imposed. August 5, 2024. Government of Canada. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/victims-victimes/sentencing-peine/imposed-imposees.html
Types of Sentence Available in Canada. August 5, 2024. Provincial Court of British Columbia. https://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/enews/enews-08-06-2016