Case Characteristics of Federal Offenders Unlawfully at Large (UAL): Pre- and Post-Sentence Expiry Date (SED)
Research Highlights: Characteristics of federal offenders who are UAL vary depending on whether or not their sentence has expired.
Why we are doing this study
On any given day, roughly 500 offenders who were conditionally released from federal custody are deemed to be unlawfully at large (UAL). This number has remained relatively constant for decades as the turnover rate of those going UAL and those being re-apprehended appears to be stable. Not surprisingly, the number of those who remain UAL long after their sentence has expired appears to be consistent as well. While recent studies have examined the general profile of all UAL offenders, the purpose of this study is to explore differences between those who are UAL whereupon their sentence has not yet expired with those who are still UAL and reached a sentence expiration date.
Publication
RIB-23-02
2023
Research in Brief - PDF
Case Characteristics of Federal Offenders Unlawfully at Large (UAL): Pre- and Post-Sentence Expiry Date (SED)
What we did
All federal offenders who were UAL were drawn from Correctional Service of Canada's (CSC) Offender Management System on December 25, 2022. On that date, there were 477 offenders UAL. Overall, 440 (92%) were men and 37 (8%) were women. Regionally, the largest proportion were located in the Prairies (38%), followed by Ontario (24%), Quebec (20%), Pacific (12%) and Atlantic (6%). In accordance with their Warrant of Committal, a sentence expiry date was established and two groups were formed. Those who were UAL and still under sentence (pre-SED) and those for whom their sentence had expired while UAL (post-SED). A total of 205 out of 477 (or 43%) were deemed to be UAL whereupon their sentence had not yet expired. The remainder were the majority, that is 272 (57%) were past their sentence expiration date. The two groups of UAL offender were examined for selected characteristics: age, sentence length, major offence, supervision type, static and dynamic risk (ratings at intake).
What we found
Offenders UAL pre-SED versus those post-SED were found to be:
- younger;
- mostly Indigenous;
- serving shorter sentences;
- convicted for a violent offence;
- on statutory release; and
- rated higher risk and needs.
Table 1. UALs: Pre- and Post-Sentence Expiry Date
| Characteristic | Pre-SED (N=205) % (n) | Post-SED (N=272) % (n) |
|---|---|---|
| Age | ||
| <35 | 48% (99) | 14% (40) |
| 35 to 64 | 45% (93) | 51% (139) |
| 65+ | 6% (13) | 34% (93) |
| Race | ||
| Indigenous | 53% (109) | 20% (54) |
| Black | 7% (14) | 14% (39) |
| White | 33% (67) | 45% (123) |
| Other | 7% (15) | 21% (56) |
| Sentence Length | ||
| <4 years | 53% (109) | 49% (132) |
| 4 years+ | 38% (78) | 51% (140) |
| Indeterminate | 9% (18) | N/A |
| Major Offence | ||
| Violent | 73% (149) | 44% (119) |
| Drug | 15% (32) | 30% (83) |
| Non-Violent | 12% (24) | 26% (70) |
| Supervision Type | ||
| Day Parole | 15% (31) | 20% (54) |
| Full Parole | 10% (21) | 33% (91) |
| Statutory Release | 75% (153) | 47% (127) |
| Static Risk | ||
| High | 52% (107) | 19% (52) |
| Medium | 39% (80) | 22% (60) |
| Low | 7% (15) | 25% (69) |
| Missing | 2% (3) | 34% (91) |
| Dynamic Needs | ||
| High | 71% (146) | 26% (72) |
| Medium | 19% (40) | 22% (59) |
| Low | 8% (16) | 18% (50) |
| Missing | 2% (3) | 34% (91) |
What it means
Non-compliance with conditions of release is a criminal offence. Unlawfully being at large is taken seriously by correctional systems because it reflects an unwillingness to face the consequences of one's criminal action. The higher risk/needs profile of UAL offenders, particularly those still within their sentence expiration, suggests periodic reminders be offered of the repercussions for absconding while serving a sentence.
For more information
For questions and/or more information, please email the Research Branch. You can also visit the Research Publications section for a full list of reports and one-page summaries.
Prepared by: Larry Motiuk and Leslie-Anne Keown
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