The agreement illustrates a shared vision between both levels of government that will see the transfer of higher risk, higher needs offenders from the provincial system to the federal system in order to improve program opportunities. The transfers will be done in stages, beginning with sex offenders serving sentences between six months and two years less a day. Over the coming months, offenders serving sentences of between one year and two years less a day will be included under this Initiative. Monies saved through the transfers of provincial offenders will be invested in building a stronger community infrastructure, including programs and services to help in the reintegration of both federal and provincial offenders. Viewing offenders along a continuum of their potential for reintegration and the capacity to manage that potential, rather than viewing them as either a provincial or federal responsibility, can lead to a broad range of efficiencies.
Many offenders have similar problems even though some are 'provincial' and some are 'federal'.
Offenders come from the community and almost all will return there, so the best way of protecting Canadians is by preparing offenders for their release. The Initiative will also enhance the community's preparedness to accept offenders upon their release. New Brunswick's involvement in this joint initiative builds on previous reforms to its correctional system as laid out in its three-year plan called Achieving a Balance for Community and Correctional Services which was announced in April 1996. The study found that sex offenders under federal jurisdiction were more likely to receive treatment than those under provincial jurisdiction. The federal government has already taken several measures to tighten the system for dangerous, violent offenders.