The Law Foundation of British Columbia has awarded CDAS $30,000 to assist in researching the effect of maintaining innocence claims on an inmate’s likelihood of being granted parole.
This project derived from CDAS founding members Tamara Levy and Rachel Barsky’s involvement with the UBC Innocence Project (http://www.allard.ubc.ca/innocenceproject/ubc-law-innocence-project) which reviews potential wrongful convictions in B.C.
The Innocence Project recognized a pattern in its own applicants’ experiences with the Parole Board of Canada (PBC), in that they are being denied parole seemingly due to their innocence claims. These claims also seem to make it exceptionally difficult to obtain temporary releases, such as Escorted Temporary Absences (ETAs) and Unescorted Temporary Absences (UTAs). Even entry into, or completion of, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) programs, which are necessary for inmates to complete in order to obtain the support of their CSC Case Management Team, has been denied because the individuals maintain innocence.
The overall objective of this project is to identify and raise awareness of specific problems in the parole system, and to set the necessary wheels in motion enabling the justice system to rectify these problems.
For further inquiries or to volunteer with this project, please contact C-DAS Secretary & Treasurer, Rachel Barsky at rachelbarsky@gmail.com.