Glossary

Commission of a new offence after being convicted of a similar offence.

A record suspension allows people who were convicted of a criminal offence, but have completed their sentence and demonstrated they are law-abiding citizens for a prescribed number of years, to have their criminal record kept separate and apart from other criminal records.

Parole Board of Canada (PBC) employees who assist victims with registering to receive information about the offender who harmed them.

A victim who has requested to receive information about the offender who harmed them from Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) or the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) and who meets the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) definition or criteria of a victim.

A registry of all parole decisions and the reasons for those decisions maintained by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) since November 1st, 1992. Anyone may request, in writing, a copy of these decisions.

The purpose of the registry of decisions is to contribute to public understanding of conditional release decision making and to promote openness and accountability.

An agent from a government, police or community victim services agency named by the victim to receive information about the offender on their behalf.

An individual, such as a family member or friend named by the victim to receive information about the offender on their behalf.

The money that a court orders an offender to pay the victim for their financial losses caused by the crime the offender committed.

Victim-offender mediation provides victims with the opportunity to communicate with the offender about the harms caused by the crime. This is done with the help of trained mediators. While each program may be different, all have certain features in common:

• Voluntary participation;
• Careful preparation;
• Ensured safety and security;
• Confidentiality; and,
• Neutral mediators.

Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) provides a victim-offender mediation service through a program called Restorative Opportunities. Through Restorative Opportunities, victims can describe the crime's impact to the offender, ask questions left unanswered after sentencing and find ways to address the harms caused by the offender's actions. The offender has an opportunity to take responsibility for, answer questions about, and gain understanding on the harms they have caused.

The purpose of Restorative Opportunities is to address the harms caused by the offense. The process is not focused on reaching an agreement, but rather on open communication. Victims can communicate with the offender through face-to-face meetings, letters, recorded video messages, or verbal messages relayed by the mediator.

Registered victims, representatives acting on behalf of registered victims, and non-registered victims of offenders serving federal sentences can participate in Restorative Opportunities by contacting CSC's Restorative Opportunities Coordinator at 613-995-4445 or by email. Victims can also contact CSC's Victim Services Division toll-free at 1-866-806-2275 or by email.

A decision made by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) to terminate an offender's release because of a violation of a condition or conviction for a new offence. A decision to revoke results in the offender's return to custody.