CCLA Calls for Data Collection in Bail Reform

Claims that access to bail drives crime are false, and no government has provided evidence that shows otherwise.

The CCLA urges the federal government, with the provinces and territories, to collect standardized data as part of any bail reform. “No government currently tracks alleged reoffending by people on bail” said Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program.

“As we told the federal Justice Minister in a meeting with him last month, thousands of people every year receive bail and are not charged with an offence on release, yet they are erased from the debate.”

Bail is being denied at record levels. Seventy-two percent of people in provincial and territorial prisons are denied bail, up from 59% percent in 2015. [1] Meanwhile, charges for some offences often cited in calls to restrict bail are falling. Break and enter charges are down 11% since 2020 and 30% since 2010.[2]  Motor vehicle theft charges are down 10% since 2020 and 27% since 2010.[3]

Bail reform not grounded in evidence will not improve public safety.

You can read our letter to the Minister of Justice on bail reform here.

[1] Percentage calculated based on “Average counts of adults in provincial and territorial correctional programs and “Remand, actual in-count” for 2014 / 2015 and 2022 / 2023. Rounded to nearest percentage point.

[2] Percentage calculated based on “[210] Total Breaking and Entering” and “Rate, total persons charged per 100,000 population aged 12 years and over”. Rounded to nearest percentage point.

[3] Percentage calculated based on “[220] Total Theft of a Motor  Vehicle” and “Rate, total persons charged per 100,000 population aged 12 years and over”. Rounded to nearest percentage point.