Correctional Services

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the difference between probation and parole?

Probation is a court order imposed by a judge, usually instead of, but sometimes in addition to, a term of imprisonment. Probation authorizes an offender to live in the community under supervision and subject to certain conditions.

Parole may be granted after the offender has served part of his or her sentence in an institution. The decision to grant parole to offenders in the Ontario correctional system is the responsibility of the Ontario Parole Board - federal offenders are the responsibility of the Parole Board of Canada. An offender who is granted parole may then live in the community under supervision and subject to certain conditions until the sentence being served is satisfied.

2. What’s the average length of sentence?

The average length of sentence to provincial custody (under two years) in 2000-2001 was 72.6 days for adult males and 49.8 days for adult females.

3. What’s the difference between a jail, a detention centre and correctional centre?

The primary function of both jails and detention centres is to hold accused persons awaiting trial, sentencing or other court proceedings. Jails and detention centres may also hold those who have been given short sentences. Jails are generally smaller, older, local facilities, while detention centres are larger, modern, regional facilities built to meet the needs of several municipalities. Correctional centres house offenders typically serving periods of incarceration of up to two years less a day.

4. What are the inmate visiting hours at the ministry's correctional facilities?

Visiting hours vary from facility to facility. If you wish to visit an offender, you should call the institution directly ahead of time to confirm local guidelines and visiting hours for the day on which you plan to visit.

5. What are some of the most common offences committed by offenders sentenced to Ontario's correctional institutions?

The most common offences, in order of frequency, are:

• break and enter and related offences;
• theft and possession of stolen property;
• assault and related offences;
• impaired driving;
• serious violent offences, such as aggravated assault or assault with a weapon;
• trafficking/importing drugs;
• fraud and related offences; and
• miscellaneous offences against a person.

6. What’s a temporary absence pass?

A temporary absence pass allows an offender to leave the institution for a specified length of time for approved activities such as employment, educational classes or treatment. Inmates must go through a risk-assessment process and meet specific low-risk criteria. Temporary absence may be escorted or unescorted.