The Sentencing and Parole Project

SPP addresses anti-Black racism in the criminal justice system. In particular, the mistreatment and misunderstanding of Black offenders in criminal sentencing and parole that is contributing to dire problems such as the over-incarceration of Black youth and adults and harsher treatment while in custody. The over-incarceration and differential treatment of African-Canadians impacts the outcome of their rehabilitation and subsequent involvement with the criminal justice system, especially for Black youth. In addition, the dramatic over-representation of Black people in provincial and federal jails also has a dramatic impact on Black children and youth who are left without adequate financial, emotional and family support of an incarcerated parent. Without such support, Black children and youth are at exceptionally high risk of following the same carceral trajectory as their incarcerated parent. SPP will create and submit to court reports that promote equitable and accountable institutions and systems within our justice administration. These reports are titled SPP reports or Enhanced PreSentence Reports. They are inspired by “Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs)” used in Nova Scotia. By presenting detailed, thorough and in-depth information that would otherwise not be available to judges about the complex lived experiences of Black youth in the criminal justice system, the reports dispel and disrupt stereotypes and provide a more suitable foundation for evidence-based sentencing decisions.

SPP reports also include recommendations for culturally appropriate community-based rehabilitative programs that work with the youth, their families and appropriate services by and within Black communities. The Sentencing and Parole Project’s education component focuses on bringing light to the socio-systemic problems that are contributing to the over-incarceration of Black people, including disproportionately high disadvantages in the areas of education, employment, housing, health care, community services, and policing.