Nous avons le plaisir d’annoncer la publication de L’article Risk of what? Risk to whom? The realities of parole practices, des co-auteur.es Chloé Leclerc, Maude Boucher-Réhel, Roxane Perrin-Plouffe, Marion Vacheret et Marianne Quirouette, dans la revue Current Issues in Criminal Justice.
Abstract
Parole is vital for reintegrating prisoners into society, yet many are excluded due to risk-averse practices. Our research explores how correctional officers, parole candidates, parole board members, and halfway house workers perceive risk, and how these perceptions influence parole decisions. We combine and analyse data from three sources: (1) observations and (2) interviews with 30 correctional officers, 18 halfway house workers, 33 inmates, and 11 board members, alongside (3) case file data from 3,161 prisoners in Quebec provincial prisons. Our analysis shows correctional officers view risk based on the needs of the person who is incarcerated, halfway house workers focus on staff safety and programme stability, incarcerated individuals see risk as their likelihood of breaking conditions, and board members consider societal risk. Quantitative data underscores the role of risk in decisions: 90% of parole-recommended individuals are low-risk, 65% who waive parole are high-risk, and 93% of low-risk individuals are granted parole. These different visions of risk and the incompatibility between high risk and release have brought risk assessments to deviate from their initial purpose, which was to assess needs and adjust interventions accordingly. They are instead used to deny parole to those who would most benefit from gradual release.