OBJECTIVE:Persons with behavioral disorders, including those with dual disorders (DDs; i.e., co-occurring mental and substance use disorders [SUDs]), are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Mental health courts (MHCs) offer an alternative to incarceration and aim to reduce recidivism. However, research indicates that participants with a SUD often complete MHCs at lower rates than those without, highlighting the need to identify effective services that support completion and improve outcomes for this group. This study examines how MHCs support participants with DDs. HYPOTHESES:We hypothesized that MHCs will use SUD-specific intervention objectives (e.g., SUD services and treatment objectives) to guide participants with DDs through the MHC process, positively influencing MHC completion. METHOD:Using a sample of 877 participants (261 with a SUD) from 10 MHCs in Quebec, Canada, we conducted bivariate analyses comparing psycho-socio-criminological profiles and MHC interventions for participants with and without a SUD. Decision-tree analysis assessed 16 individual characteristics and events (e.g., factors beyond the MHC team's control during program participation) as well as 19 intervention objectives (e.g., types of services, treatment objectives, and conditions set by multidisciplinary teams) to identify which factors effectively support participants with a SUD in graduating from MHCs. RESULTS:Bivariate analyses show that MHC teams utilize SUD-specific objectives, conditions, and services to address the many clinical and criminogenic needs of participants with DDs. Decision-tree analysis revealed that participants with DDs benefited the most from medical and psychosocial services to complete the MHC. CONCLUSIONS:The fact that medical and psychosocial services help participants with DDs successfully complete MHCs suggests that prioritizing access to these services during the program is essential for improving completion rates. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring MHC interventions to the complex needs of this group, such as medical care, housing, and workforce integration programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Justice system practices generate socio-economic inequalities, with socio-structural consequences in countries such as the United States (Western & Pettit, 2010). Using Bourdieu's concept of social reproduction, this study examines how social structure influences penal practices in Canada. Using provincial data from 1998 to 2019, the study assesses the impact of socio-structural factors (e.g. media coverage of crime, poverty, political ideology) on court decisions. Results reveal that socio-structural factors associated with cultural and economic capital affect incarceration, remand, and community supervision sentences. Increased media coverage is associated with higher incarceration and remand rates, while immigration and economic markers positively relate to remand and community supervision. The results suggest the perpetuation of social inequalities through penal practices in Canada.

Les recherches quantitatives sur les femmes incarcérées restent rares, notamment celles explorant les liens entre vulnérabilités, adversités précoces et trajectoires délinquantes. Cette étude, menée auprès de 100 femmes incarcérées en Belgique francophone par le biais de questionnaires en face à face, vise à documenter la prévalence de ces facteurs, à analyser leurs interrelations et à explorer leur influence sur certaines infractions commises. Des analyses factorielles ont mis en évidence quatre facteurs de vulnérabilité (troubles de santé mentale, consommation, précarité socio-économique et relations conjugales dysfonctionnelles) et deux d’adversité (adversités familiales précoces et victimisations). Les résultats montrent une forte prévalence de polyvulnérabilité et d’adversités vécues, significativement associées à certaines infractions, en particulier les violences physiques commises contre les personnes et le trafic de stupéfiants. Ces résultats soulignent le rôle central des expériences traumatiques et des vulnérabilités multiples dans l’émergence des conduites délinquantes, plaidant en faveur d’une prise en charge intégrée, sensible au genre, qui tient compte du parcours de vie des femmes incarcérées afin de prévenir l’engagement dans des trajectoires délinquantes ou le risque de récidive.

Parole is vital for reintegrating prisoners into society, yet many are excluded due to risk-averse practices. Our research explores how correctional officers, parole candidates, parole board members, and halfway house workers perceive risk, and how these perceptions influence parole decisions. We combine and analyse data from three sources: (1) observations and (2) interviews with 30 correctional officers, 18 halfway house workers, 33 inmates, and 11 board members, alongside (3) case file data from 3,161 prisoners in Quebec provincial prisons. Our analysis shows correctional officers view risk based on the needs of the person who is incarcerated, halfway house workers focus on staff safety and programme stability, incarcerated individuals see risk as their likelihood of breaking conditions, and board members consider societal risk. Quantitative data underscores the role of risk in decisions: 90% of parole-recommended individuals are low-risk, 65% who waive parole are high-risk, and 93% of low-risk individuals are granted parole. These different visions of risk and the incompatibility between high risk and release have brought risk assessments to deviate from their initial purpose, which was to assess needs and adjust interventions accordingly. They are instead used to deny parole to those who would most benefit from gradual release.

Les recherches quantitatives sur les femmes incarcérées restent rares, notamment celles explorant les liens entre vulnérabilités, adversités précoces et trajectoires délinquantes. Cette étude, menée auprès de 100 femmes incarcérées en Belgique francophone par le biais de questionnaires en face à face, vise à documenter la prévalence de ces facteurs, à analyser leurs interrelations et à explorer leur influence sur certaines infractions commises. Des analyses factorielles ont mis en évidence quatre facteurs de vulnérabilité (troubles de santé mentale, consommation, précarité socio-économique et relations conjugales dysfonctionnelles) et deux d’adversité (adversités familiales précoces et victimisations). Les résultats montrent une forte prévalence de polyvulnérabilité et d’adversités vécues, significativement associées à certaines infractions, en particulier les violences physiques commises contre les personnes et le trafic de stupéfiants. Ces résultats soulignent le rôle central des expériences traumatiques et des vulnérabilités multiples dans l’émergence des conduites délinquantes, plaidant en faveur d’une prise en charge intégrée, sensible au genre, qui tient compte du parcours de vie des femmes incarcérées afin de prévenir l’engagement dans des trajectoires délinquantes ou le risque de récidive.

Les recherches quantitatives sur les femmes incarcérées restent rares, notamment celles explorant les liens entre vulnérabilités, adversités précoces et trajectoires délinquantes. Cette étude, menée auprès de 100 femmes incarcérées en Belgique francophone par le biais de questionnaires en face à face, vise à documenter la prévalence de ces facteurs, à analyser leurs interrelations et à explorer leur influence sur certaines infractions commises. Des analyses factorielles ont mis en évidence quatre facteurs de vulnérabilité (troubles de santé mentale, consommation, précarité socio-économique et relations conjugales dysfonctionnelles) et deux d’adversité (adversités familiales précoces et victimisations). Les résultats montrent une forte prévalence de polyvulnérabilité et d’adversités vécues, significativement associées à certaines infractions, en particulier les violences physiques commises contre les personnes et le trafic de stupéfiants. Ces résultats soulignent le rôle central des expériences traumatiques et des vulnérabilités multiples dans l’émergence des conduites délinquantes, plaidant en faveur d’une prise en charge intégrée, sensible au genre, qui tient compte du parcours de vie des femmes incarcérées afin de prévenir l’engagement dans des trajectoires délinquantes ou le risque de récidive.

EN-Renouncing parole in Quebec: between the constraints of a measure and the expression of a power to act-For several decades, a number of scholars have highlighted the prominence of empowerment-oriented approaches in the field of social intervention, particularly with respect to the most vulnerable members of society (Parazzelli, Bourbonnais, 2017; Bourbonnais, Parazelli, 2018). Quebec's correctional services, including the Quebec Parole Board, are no exception: the notions of accountability and personal commitment to change constitute central pillars of the parole decision-making process. Yet, annual statistical data reveal that nearly half of incarcerated individuals forgo submitting an application for parole, thereby relinquishing the possibility of an early release. This article seeks to examine this phenomenon through the lens of empowerment, and more specifically the degree to which incarcerated individuals do-or do not-possess the capacity to exercise agency within the framework of correctional supervision. Our findings indicate that they are confronted with a host of constraints: limited choice and suitability of follow-up programs; restricted access to resources and means of action; and insufficient recognition of their capacities. These barriers generate conditions of powerlessness, which stand in stark contradiction to approaches intended to enhance agency. We conclude that the decision that the waiver of parole should be interpreted as an expression of this powerlessness, and perhaps even as the only available means by which an incarcerated person can retain a measure of control over their own life.

Since the onset of the pandemic, in 2020, the use of video-conferencing technologies such as Zoom, Webex, and Teams has grown in popularity, and courts around the world have continued to use virtual trials despite the easing of public health measures. Using data from an online survey carried out to learn more about the knowledge and professional practices of judges in Quebec, Canada, this article aims to better understand judges’ perceptions of virtual trials and opinion about the future of virtual trials, and more specifically, the prevalence of extra-legal factors in virtual trials, namely those related to nonverbal communication. Following a qualitative thematic analysis of answers to open-ended questions, the results of our study show that the judges who answered the online survey almost unanimously agree with the usefulness of video-conferencing technologies. The results also show the ubiquity of nonverbal communication in courtrooms, and how it can influence the course of virtual trials in different ways. This article ends with a discussion on the implications of the results for court proceedings, and for future research about in-person and virtual trials.

While Canadian policymakers have significantly embraced the principle of prison normalization (i.e. the idea that life inside prison should be as similar as possible to life outside of prison and that no rights, aside from the restriction of movement, should be curtailed), correctional workers at provincial institutions struggle with its implementation. Based on the answers of a survey administered to 742 correctional officers, probation agents, and other correctional staff members, this study explores how Canadian provincial institutions' workers feel about the principle of normalization in general and its translation into specific practices (particularly those related to dynamic security, healthy relationships, and the continuum of care). The article identifies the practices whose introduction would face the most resistance and suggests several reforms to achieve gradual change.

Despite a significant growth of scientific knowledge on wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice, the phenomenon of false guilty pleas remains largely understudied in Canada. Drawing from data obtained through the responses of a questionnaire administered to 55 defendants and 11 in-depth semi-directed interviews, this article explores the profile of the individuals who enter false guilty pleas and the reasons why they do so. The context and circumstances behind false guilty pleas are ranked by their prevalence (in the survey) and describe with interviewees stories. Finally, the article discusses the perception of the person entering a false guilty plea regarding the coerciveness or voluntariness of their decision.

The need to adapt correctional practices to women's realities is now widely recognized, particularly in prison. However, gender sensitivity remains understudied in community supervision, even though most justice-involved women serve their sentences in the community. This article reflects on how gender-responsive principles are integrated into these practices. It draws on a study involving around sixty professionals working in community or correctional settings with women serving probation or conditional sentences. The results show that several practices align with gender-responsive recommendations : reducing the focus on recidivism, avoiding confrontation, addressing trauma, taking time, and investing in the relationship. Yet, these adjustments often remain informal, fragile, and constrained by organizational frameworks designed for men, which frequently conflict with women's realities. The article also examines the impacts of the division of labor, mixed-gender caseloads, and the low number of women in certain regions, where they are often too few to count. The study highlights the need to recognize these structural issues, strengthen profes sional training, adapt tools and protocols, and ensure adequate funding for women-specific services.

Depuis plusieurs décennies, de nombreux auteurs évoquent un engouement en matière d’intervention sociale à l’égard du pouvoir d’agir – ou empowerment – des personnes les plus vulnérables de la société (Parazzelli, Bourbonnais, 2017 ; Bourbonnais, Parazelli, 2018). Les services correctionnels du Québec comme la Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles n’y font pas défaut et les concepts de responsabilisation et de mobilisation en matière de changements personnels sont au cœur du processus d’octroi d’une libération conditionnelle. Toutefois, les données statistiques annuelles montrent que près de la moitié des personnes incarcérées renoncent à solliciter une telle mesure, et par-là à bénéficier d’une sortie anticipée. Cet article propose de réfléchir à ce phénomène à l’aune de la question de l’ empowerment dont disposent, ou non, les personnes incarcérées durant leur prise en charge correctionnelle. Notre recherche montre ainsi que ces dernières se trouvent confrontées à de très nombreuses contraintes – que ce soit en termes de choix et d’adéquation du suivi ; en termes de ressources et de moyens d’action accessibles, ou encore en termes de reconnaissance de leurs capacités. Toutes ces barrières sont génératrices d’impuissance et sont en contradiction avec l’approche visant à favoriser le pouvoir d’agir. Nous concluons en considérant que la renonciation à la libération conditionnelle est l’expression de cette impuissance, voire peut-être la seule façon pour une personne incarcérée de garder un certain pouvoir d’action sur sa propre vie.

Quantitative research about women in prison remains scarce, especially studies exploring the links between vulnerability, early adversity and delinquent trajectories. This study, carried out with 100 women incarcerated in French-speaking Belgium via face-to-face questionnaires, aims to document the prevalence of these factors, while analyzing their interrelationships and exploring their influence on certain offenses committed. Factor analyses revealed four vulnerability factors (mental health disorders, substance abuse, socio-economic precariousness and dysfunctional marital relationships), as well as two adversity factors (early family adversity and victimization). The results show a high prevalence of polyvulnerability and adversity to be significantly associated with certain offences, in particular physical violence and drug trafficking. These results underline the central role of traumatic experiences and multiple vulnerabilities in the emergence of delinquent behaviour, and argue in favour of integrated, gender-sensitive care that takes into account the life course of incarcerated women in order to prevent their involvement in delinquent trajectories and reduce the risk of recidivism.

center dot Mental health courts (MHCs) aim to provide tailored services, reduce recidivism and promote social reintegration for criminalized and incarcerated individuals with mental illness. However, American studies show that the effectiveness of MHCs depends on program completion. In Qu & eacute;bec, MHCs are coined Programme d'accompagnement justice sant & eacute; mentale (PAJSM). Based on a sample of 6 PAJSMs and 516 participants, this study examines the effect of30 independent variables (participant characteristics, targeted objectives, services received, imposed conditions and judicial process) on program completion, to contribute to the advancement of knowledge about these programs. The results of logistic regression models indicate that participants who make use of medical or psychosocial services, as well as social integration support services, are more likely to complete the program. Longer delays between court appearances in the MHC serve as moderators between service use and program success. By identifying the factors that either facilitate or hinder completion, the findings provide actionable recommendations for guiding and supporting participants.

L’importance d’adapter les pratiques correctionnelles aux réalités des femmes est aujourd’hui reconnue, notamment en milieu carcéral. Pourtant, cette sensibilité au genre demeure peu étudiée en surveillance communautaire, alors même que la majorité des femmes judiciarisées purgent leur peine dans la collectivité. Cet article propose une réflexion sur l’intégration des principes appartenant aux approches sensibles au genre dans les pratiques correctionnelles. Il s’appuie sur une étude menée auprès d’une soixantaine de professionnels et professionnelles en surveillance communautaire, dans des organismes communautaires ou au sein du système correctionnel provincial (agents de probation), dans le cadre de peines de probation ou d’emprisonnement avec sursis. Les résultats révèlent que plusieurs pratiques s’inspirent des recommandations des approches sensibles au genre : réduire l’accent mis sur la récidive, éviter la confrontation, aborder les traumatismes, prendre le temps de bâtir une relation et investir dans cette relation. Toutefois, ces ajustements restent souvent informels, fragiles et contraints par un cadre organisationnel pensé pour les hommes, qui entre en contradiction avec les réalités des femmes. L’article examine également les impacts de la division du travail, de la mixité des clientèles et du faible volume de femmes suivies en région, qui inhibent le déploiement d’initiatives adaptées. L’étude souligne la nécessité de reconnaître ces enjeux structurels, de renforcer la formation des professionnels, d’adapter les outils et protocoles et d’assurer un financement adéquat des services sexospécifiques.

Facilitating supervised and supported release before the end of a prison term, parole is very important to the process of punishment. Our research documents and analyses the decisionmaking rationale of actors involved in recommending or granting parole. Our work here is based on field work - interviews, observations, case files - conducted between 2017 and 2020, within three penal organizations - Correctional Services, Parole Board and Social Rehabilitation Services. Studies have shown that criteria for granting early release are diverse, including factors related to the offence, the sentence, age, background, score on the actuarial risk and needs assessment scales, release plan or follow programs and supports, etc.). Our research shows that beyond these criteria, actors called upon to recommend and grant an early release have specific expectations in terms of recognition of the acts committed, mobilization in the face of the socalled criminogenic needs and capacity for social conformity. This means people who are assessed as (1) expressing sincere remorse, (2) engaging in correction of their behavior and (3) performing according to dominant normative social criteria, will recognized as eligible for early release. We question how these logics, and criteria are exclusionary, and also ill-suited to the reality of people's experience in prison, and also with regards to reintegration supports. It is clear that access to parole is guarded strictly, and reserved for people who have various advantages, with regards to performing and conforming the `right way'. We argue this shows how the risk averse system is `cherry-picking' who they see as `easier' or more `deserving', while excluding a lot of people for whom conforming may not be so easy. We deplore that instead of being centered on supporting the social reintegration of people leaving prison, it is centered above all else, on his own narrow priorities

Alternative dispute resolution methods reflect a desire to transform the justice system by seeking to resolve legal disputes "differently". The emergence of these methods also responds to the imperatives of the new public governance, where the speedy and efficient delivery of justice is primary. These alternative methods require the voluntary participation of all parties. However, litigants deal with certain subjective constraints that impact their motivation to engage in an alternative dispute resolution process. Based on empirical data, this article explains how the human and financial costs borne by litigants can influence their decision to pursue such a method, usually resulting from reaching a breaking point regarding these costs. This research, conducted in Quebec, provides an overview of the situation in civil law, criminal law, and administrative law.

Résumé Les modes alternatifs de règlement des conflits s’inscrivent dans une volonté de transformation de l’organisation de la justice en cherchant à régler « autrement » les litiges judiciarisés. L’émergence de ces modes répond également aux impératifs de la nouvelle gouvernance publique, où les questions de l’efficacité et de la célérité de la justice deviennent cardinales. Ces modes alternatifs exigent que les parties y participent volontairement. Or, les justiciables composent avec certaines contraintes subjectives qui se répercutent sur leur motivation à s’engager sur la voie d’un mode alternatif de règlement des conflits. À partir de données empiriques, ce texte présente de quelle façon les coûts humains et financiers qu’assument les justiciables sont susceptibles de se répercuter sur leur décision de s’engager sur une telle voie, laquelle découle généralement de l’atteinte d’un point de rupture par rapport à ces coûts. Cette recherche, effectuée au Québec, fait état de la situation en droit civil, en droit criminel et en droit administratif.