Review into probation system should have happened months ago

A review into the province’s probation system and the shortfalls that exist should have been investigated months ago, as committed by the former justice minister in the House of Assembly in May, and after obvious problems were highlighted and brought to government’s attention at that time, says Opposition Justice Critic Kelvin Parsons.

Earlier today, Justice Minister Felix Collins stated that a review of the probation system would be launched after significant monitoring issues were identified. These same issues were highlighted during the spring session of the House of Assembly, but no action was initiated to investigate the depth of the problems that existed.

“We raised the issue of inadequate monitoring of those on probation, the workload of probation officers and the small number of officers expected to keep track of so many people,” said Mr. Parsons. “At that time, we raised concerns about the lack of electronic monitoring bracelets and the effectiveness of the probation officer system when there were so few to do the job throughout the province. The former minister committed to conducting a review of the system, but it is obvious today that no such review ever took place. It is unfortunate that another tragedy has finally made government recognize that significant problems exist in the system.”

Government launched this most recent review after it has been reported that an individual from this province who was on probation is now charged with a recent murder in Ontario. Last spring, an individual was killed in a car accident in central Newfoundland by an offender who was on probation and not supposed to leave their home.

- 30 -