State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard
Data Development
It is expected that the Framework will change over time as more data or further disaggregation of current data becomes available. There are also a number of key performance indicators that are not currently available or collected at a national level, which limits the ability to fully understand the state of the criminal justice system. The following are examples of areas for future data development and possible indicators that could be added to the Framework as new data become available.
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Canadians are safe and individuals and families feel safe
An indicator could include the number of community safety plans developed by Indigenous communities.
An area for future data development could include crime prevention.
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The criminal justice system is fair and accessible to everyone
Indicators could include the number of people who self-reported discrimination by police and courts, the number of self-represented accused, and the number of successful Charter challenges.
Areas for future data development could include complaints against the criminal justice system and administrative segregation.
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The criminal justice system operates efficiently
Indicators could include the number of cases using video technology, the time spent in pre-trial detention/remand.
Areas for future data development could include court cases stayed due to systemic delays and CJS costs.
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The criminal justice system promotes and supports diversion to community-based resolutions
An area for future data development could include specialized/therapeutic courts (e.g., drug-treatment courts, mental health or wellness courts, Gladue or Indigenous courts).
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The criminal justice system provides persons in the correctional system with services and supports to rehabilitate them and integrate them back into the community
Indicators could include the number of deaths by suicide in federal custody, the number of revoked provincial/territorial correctional supervision, and the number of granted record suspension/pardon applications.
Areas for future data development could include mental health beds/forensic psychiatric services, culturally based programming (e.g., healing lodges), and recidivism rates. Footnote 1
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The criminal justice system respects victims’ and survivors’ rights and addresses their needs
Indicators could include victims’ perception that their security and privacy was considered during the criminal justice system process, the number of victims who requested victim services and were assisted, the number of complaints received through the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights that were assessed/acted upon, the number of victim impact statements submitted for consideration to a parole hearing, and the number of victims who attend a Parole Board of Canada hearing.
Areas for future data development could include criminal injuries compensation programs and financial benefits programs, victims’ satisfaction with the criminal justice system, victim service agencies offering specialized programs or services for victims with particular needs, and restitution orders.
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Reducing the number of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system
Indicators could include the number of unresolved cases of missing Indigenous women and girls, the number of unsolved homicides involving Indigenous women and girls as victims, and a measure of disproportionate contact of Indigenous people with the police and the criminal courts (e.g., the relative rate index).
An area for future data development could include Gladue reports.
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Reducing the number of Black people in the criminal justice system
Indicators could include a measure of disproportionate contact of Black people with the police and the criminal courts (e.g., the relative rate index).
Areas for future data development could include data on complaints of discrimination, racism and violence from criminal justice system employees.
Going forward, the Department will be liaising with data holders to prioritize and further develop these indicators.