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This enactment provides a judge with the discretion to assign a
security classification of maximum to certain offenders who pose a high
risk of safety to the public and who require a high degree of supervision
and control within a penitentiary. The enactment sets out the
requirements that a judge must take into consideration for determining
whether an offender should be assigned the security classification of
maximum.
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Another important aspect of this enactment is the focus that it brings
to the rights of Canadian citizens, particularly victims. The enactment
will ensure that the public and victims have the right to request and be
kept informed of information about certain offenders who are identified
in the enactment. In the case of a review by the National Parole Board
of the case of an offender by way of a hearing, the National Parole Board
will be required to notify a victim of the date, time and location of the
hearing and the victim will be entitled to attend the hearing for the
purpose of providing the Board with a victim impact statement.
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Also, this enactment establishes a new Board of Management for the
Correctional Service of Canada. The Board of Management will be
responsible for the control and management of the Correctional Service
and all matters connected with the Correctional Service.
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Finally, this enactment establishes the independent Office of Victims
Ombudsman of Canada. The enactment clearly defines the function of
the Office of Victims Ombudsman. The function of the Victims
Ombudsman will be to conduct investigations, reviews of Service or
National Parole Board policies and studies into the problems of victims
related to decisions, recommendations, policies, acts or omissions of
the Service or the National Parole Board, or any person under the
control and management of or performing services for or on behalf of
the Service or the National Parole Board, that affect victims either
individually or as a group. The Victims Ombudsman will be required to
maintain a program of communicating information to victims
concerning the function of the Victims Ombudsman and the
circumstances under which an investigation, a review of Service or
National Parole Board policies or a study may be commenced by the
Victims Ombudsman.
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