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The conditional sentence of imprisonment (CSI) is a novel form of custody that was created by Bill C-41 in 1996. Among other important objectives, it was introduced to reduce admissions to provincial correctional facilities. This article builds upon previous research to explore the use and impact of the CSI over its 21-year history. Trends over the period 1996-2016 suggest that the CSI has modestly contributed to reducing custodial admissions, although the effect has been variable across jurisdictions. The greatest impacts were observed during the early years of its existence. Legislative amendments that have since restricted its availability appear to have diminished much of that early success. Consequently, we advocate reform by identifying a number of strategies that could help to restore the sanction.
La peine d'emprisonnement avec sursis est une nouvelle forme de detention créée par le projet de loi C-41 en 1996. Il s'agit d'un objectif important, parmi d'autres, visant ¿i reduire les mises en detention dans les etablissements correctionnels provinciaux. Dans cet article, l'auteur s'inspire de recherches realisees precedemment pour explorer l'utilisation et l'impact de cette peine au cours des 21 annees de son histoire. Les tendances qui se degagent de la periode se situant entre 1996 et 2016 permettent de croire que cette peine a faiblement contribue a reduire les mises en detention, bien que l'impact varie selon les juridictions. Les impacts les plus importants ont ete observes dans les premieres annees de son existence. Les modifications legislatives qui ont, depuis, restreint son application semblent avoir terni la plus grande partie de son succes initial. Par consequent, les auteurs militent en faveur d'une reforme en commenyant par identifier un certain nombre de strategies susceptibles de favoriser le retablissement de cette peine.
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A generation has passed since Canada's first comprehensive sentencing reform. Proclaimed into law in 1996, Bill C-411 codified the purposes of sentencing and introduced a number of substantive and procedural reforms.2 The legislation changed the landscape of sentencing3 and the full consequences of the reforms are only now becoming clear. One of the most important elements4 of the sentencing reform has attracted considerable media and political comment, yet surprisingly little empirical research. The Conditional Sentence of Imprisonment (hereafter CSI) is a novel form of custody...