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Called The Habitual Offender Act, the legislation was designed to incapacitate offenders with lengthy criminal records by keeping them in prison and away from the general public
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known as the Sexual Psychopath Act, was passed to ensure that dangerous sexual offenders would be identified and treated by mental health professionals
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set out specific criteria for determining dangerousness including the offender’s criminal record and the circumstances of the current offence.
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the report of the Canadian Committee on Corrections (Ouimet Report) found that the Habitual Offender and Dangerous Sexual Offender being applied erratically and ineffectively across the country.
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new legislation was enacted, repealing both the Habitual Offender and Dangerous Sexual Offender Acts
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legislation was put in place to allow the National Parole Board to detain offenders
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Bill C-55 was enacted, making significant changes to strengthen measures for dealing with the most serious offenders.
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the Canadian government introduced legislation that made it easier for Crown prosecutors to obtain dangerous offender designations.
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the amendment now reverses the onus for individuals convicted of three violent offences– such individuals must demonstrate to a court that despite the three convictions, they should not be designated as dangerous offenders.
