• Accuracy of information
• Summary of Findings
• Release Type
• Conviction type
• Multiple homicides
• Comparative information
• Who do I contact for more information?

Accuracy of Information

Accurate information on homicide offences committed by offenders on parole and other forms of conditional release is important given the seriousness of the offence and the tragic consequences for the family and friends of the victims.

This fact sheet identifies all offenders who had been convicted of a homicide offence (including 1st and 2nd degree murder, manslaughter and infanticide) between 1975 and 2008, while they were on conditional release (day parole, full parole or statutory release).

Summary of Findings

• Between April 1975 and April 2008, there were 557 homicides committed by 508 offenders on conditional release.
• Over this 33-year period the annual average of homicides was 17.
• Prior to the introduction of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (1975 to Nov. 1, 1992), there were 392 homicides by offenders on conditional release (about 22 homicides per year)
• In the years following the CCRA (Nov. 1, 1992 to April, 2008) there were 164 homicides committed by offenders on conditional release (about 10 homicides per year).
• Over the past 5 years, the average has dropped to about 4 per year, reflecting the downward trend which began a decade ago.

Release Type

• Most homicide offences were committed by offenders on statutory release (mandatory supervision before 1992):
  • 10% (49) of homicides were committed by day parolees
  • 30% (151) by full parolees
  • 60% (302) by offenders on statutory release

Conviction type

• One in five (21%) homicide resulted in a conviction of 1st degree murder
• Two in five cases (39%) involved 2nd degree murder
• Two in five cases (40%) resulted in manslaughter convictions

Multiple homicides

63 offenders were convicted of multiple homicides with three offenders accounting for 37 convictions:

• a Quebec hit man with 27 manslaughter convictions for gangland slayings
• a Quebec gang member with 10 convictions for "hits" on rival gang members
• a B.C. offender with 7 convictions for drug related slayings

Comparative information

Between 1975 and 2007, there were nearly 21,000 homicides committed in Canada. In this same period, offenders on conditional release committed 513 homicides, representing less than 3% of total homicides in Canada.

From April 1, 1975 to March 31, 2008, it is estimated there were almost 342,000 releases on day parole, full parole or statutory release (or mandatory supervision). The releases that resulted in a homicide represent about one-tenth of one percent of all releases.

Who do I contact for more information?

For more information, contact the NPB region at office nearest you.