Prédire la renonciation à la libération conditionnelle dans le système correctionnel provincial du Québec
In the Quebec correctional system, parole-eligible inmates are automatically summoned to a parole board hearing unless they waive their right to the hearing. Every year, almost half of all eligible inmates waive this right, but correctional authorities do not know why. The purpose of this study was to identify the provincial inmates in Quebec who are likely to waive their right to a parole hearing. The Quebec correctional services provided us with administrative data on all parole-eligible inmates in 2014-2015 (N = 3 675). These data included sociodemographic information as well as criminal and correctional records. We selected a subpopulation of offenders who were assessed with the LS/CMI during the sentence they served in 2014-2015 (N = 2 579). Next, we performed logistic regressions, first while isolating non-Indigenous men, non-Indigenous women, and Indigenous men, and then while merging them. Findings indicated that the predictors of parole waiving vary according to sex and ethnicity. However, the probation officer's recommendation for the inmate's release was an important predictor for the three examined subgroups. Indigenous men were also significantly more likely to give up their right to a parole hearing than non-Indigenous men (Exp(B) = 2.234) or women (Exp(B) = 2.073), even when other factors were controlled for. This suggests the presence of structural problems that prompt Indigenous men to forego the possibility of a discretionary release. Possible explanations are proposed for our results, practical implications are discussed, and recommendations are offered to correctional authorities.  Keywords: Conditional release, corrections, discretionary release, parole, prison, waivers.
Prison Conditional release Corrections Discretionary release Parole Waivers