Canada to warn victims about prison leaves

OTTAWA, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Under a new federal policy, Canadian victims of violent crimes and their families will be notified before an inmate receives escorted leave from prison.

The announcement was made in Ottawa by the new public safety minister, Peter Van Loan, the Canwest News Service reported.

There are 5,649 people registered as victims or family members of victims in Canada's national database, and in the past, they had to make specific requests for information about a prisoner to the Corrections Canada department. Under the new policy, department officials will contact them by telephone in advance of any escorted leaves, the report said.

Such leaves are usually granted by a warden for medical treatment or compassionate grounds, such as attending funerals.

Micheal Vonn, policy director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, told the news agency her agency would be watching the police closely, as she wasn't aware any consultation with rights groups had occurred before the announcement.

"A sweeping policy is problematic," she said. "We would like to know what the public interest is in providing this information to families and victims."