Multi-Site Survey of Victims of Crime and Criminal Justice Professionals Across Canada

Appendix C: Interview Guides and Self-Administered Questionnaires (continued)


Appendix C: Interview Guides and Self-Administered Questionnaires (continued)

Self-Administered Survey of Correctional Service of Canada Personnel

  1. Please identify your position.
    • 1 Institutional victim liaison coordinator
    • 2 District parole office victim liaison coordinator
    • 3 Community correctional victim liaison coordinator
    • 3 Other (specify)
    We understand that not all respondents will have experience in the areas covered by some of the questions. Please answer all questions that you can.

  2. What role do you believe victims should have in the following stages of the criminal justice process?
      Please describe role Victims should not
    have any role
    The offender's incarceration 00
    Conditional release decisions 00


  3. Do you generally provide the following information about the offender to victims when they request it? (Please answer for your position within CSC)
      Yes No Don't know IF NO - Who, if anyone,
    typically provides this
    information to victims?
    Date when offender's sentence began 1 2 8
    Length of the sentence 1 2 8
    Location where offender is incarcerated 1 2 8
    Dates of temporary absences or work releases 1 2 8
    Location of offender during temporary absences or work releases 1 2 8
    Offender's eligibility for conditional release 1 2 8
    Hearing dates for conditional release 1 2 8
    Release dates 1 2 8
    Conditions imposed on release 1 2 8
    Reasons for a release decision 1 2 8
    Destination of offender on release 1 2 8
    Whether the offender has appealed a Parole Board decision 1 2 8
    Copy of decision by appeal division 1 2 8
    Travel permits granted to offender 1 2 8
    Changes to offender's custodial status
    (including suspension or revocation of release)    		 1 2 8

  4. Are there any difficulties with providing victims any of the information listed in Question 3?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    • 4a. If yes, please explain.
  5. Do you usually inform victims of the following? (Please check one and answer for your position within CSC)
      Yes,
    inform all victims    		 Yes, inform victims
    who have contacted CSC    		 No
    The right to request certain kinds of information about the offender 1 2 3
    The ability to provide new or additional information to the Parole Board that the victim considers relevant 1 2 3
    That any information they provide will be shared with the offender 1 2 3
    The opportunity to attend Parole Board hearings as observers (including the need to make an application) 1 2 3
    The opportunity to present a statement at the parole hearing in person or via audiotape or videotape (including the need to make an application) 1 2 3

  6. Do most victims of crime participate in the correctional or parole process by doing the following? (Check one)
      Yes,
    in most cases    		 Yes,
    only in serious cases    		 No Don't know
    Requesting information about the offender 1 2 3 8
    Providing new or additional information for
    use in conditional release decisions    		 1 2 3 8
    Attending Parole Board hearings as observers 1 2 3 8
    Presenting a statement in person or via audiotape
    or videotape for use in conditional release decisions    		 1 2 3 8

  7. Do you think that there are any obstacles to victims' participation in the correctional or parole process?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    • 7a. If yes, what are the obstacles? (Please check all that apply)
      • 1 Victims are not aware of the ways they can participate
      • 2 Victims do not know when an application is required e.g., for attending hearings or presenting a statement)
      • 3 Support services for victims during the correctional or parole process are insufficient
      • 4 Victims are unaware of support services available
      • 5 There is a lack of funding to assist victims who want to attend parole hearings
      • 66 Other (please describe)
  8. What services, if any, does CSC provide for victims? (Please answer for your position within CSC)
      Yes No Don't know
    Assistance with making requests for information about the offender (e.g., provide forms and/or information on how to submit requests) 1 2 8
    Victim notification once the victim has requested information 1 2 8
    Information about victim statements 1 2 8
    Assistance in preparing victim statements 1 2 8
    Assistance with making requests to attend Parole Board hearings as observers 1 2 8
    Accompaniment to parole hearings 1 2 8
    Ensure that Parole Board members are aware of victims' concerns 1 2 8
    Other (please specify)
    		 1 2 8

  9. Are you aware of other victim service organizations that assist victims once the offender has been sentenced?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No

    • 9a. If yes, what services do these organizations provide?
        Yes No Don't know
      Assistance with making requests for information about the offender
      (e.g., provide forms and/or information on how to submit requests)      		 1 2 8
      Victim notification once the victim has requested information 1 2 8
      Information about victim statements 1 2 8
      Assistance in preparing victim statements 1 2 8
      Assistance with making requests to attend
      Parole Board hearings as observers      		 1 2 8
      Accompaniment to parole hearings 1 2 8
      Ensure that Parole Board members are aware of victims' concerns 1 2 8
      Other (please specify)
      		 1 2 8
  10. Do you refer victims to other available victim services?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

  11. Do other organizations or agencies refer victims to you?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    • 11a. If yes, what organizations refer victims to you? (Please check all that apply)
      • 1 Police-based victim services
      • 2 Crown-based victim services
      • 3 Community-based victim services
      • 4 Crown
      • 5 Police
      • 5 Other (please describe)
  12. After an offender is sentenced, do you think there is a service gap in connecting victims to services available in corrections/parole?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    • 12a. If yes, what can be done to improve the situation?


  13. Do you review parole officers' reports to the Parole Board to ensure that relevant victim concerns are included?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

  14. In their reports to the Parole Board (assessments for decision), do parole officers generally recommend that special conditions be imposed on the offender?(Please check all that apply)
    • 1 Yes, generally recommend special conditions to protect specific victim (e.g., no contact order)
    • 2 Yes, usually recommend other special conditions
    • 3 No
    • 8 Don't know

    • 14a. If no, please explain.


  15. Do you have any other comments?


Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.
Please return the questionnaire by faxing it back to us toll-free at:

1-800-717-5456