Criminal behaviour is believed to arise from a multiplicity of factors, including unemployment and poverty [1,2], low self-control [3], psychological issues [4,5], early conduct problems [6], childhood physical and sexual abuse disorder [5], and social bonding in child- and adulthood [7]. Social-structural influences like family conflict/disruption, financial resources, child-parent and school/peer attachment and abuse and neglect in childhood have lasting impressions, leading to multiple problems including delinquency and later criminal activity, substance use/abuse, mental illness and poor self-rated health [8-12]. The consequences of such behaviour include financial losses, injury, and death that together have significant personal and societal costs. Society also bears the burden of incarcerating and rehabilitating offenders; a burden that is not trivial. Direct costs of imprisonment in Canada approach $3.5 billion annually; in the US the cost is substantially higher, approaching $74 billion [13]. [...]
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The Safe Streets and Communities Act is an act to enact the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act and to amend the State Immunity Act, The Criminal Code, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Other Acts. The Truth in Sentencing Act is designed to limit the credit for time spent in pre-sentencing custody (“credit for time served”). Available online: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Default.aspx?Language=E.
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Bloom, B. Gender-responsive programming for women offenders: Guiding principles and practices. Forum on Corrections Research 1999, 11, 22–27.
