Members were very concerned that the department could offer no explanation why there was a significant increase in the numbers of incarcerated young offenders last year.

Committee members understand that the information systems for offenders and the courts are being replaced this year. The department advised the committee that the previous information systems did not have the capacity to track any of the mitigating factors that may have lead to the sudden increase in young offenders in custody.

Members were disturbed that the department could not discount any of the scenarios that were offered as possible explanations because of the poor quality of information that the information systems provided. Committee members were pleased to hear that the department is planning to do a manual review of the documentation behind this sudden increase of young offenders in custody. The committee looks forward to being informed about the results of the review and being supplied with a copy of the report.

The inability of the information systems to provide relevant information on the reasons for the increase in young offenders in custody does not inspire confidence on the part of the committee. Members question the ability of the department to track adult offenders or to do long term operational planning. This emphasizes the need for quality information systems, which provide sufficient data for analysis. It is hoped that the new Corrections Offender Management System (COMS) and the new information system for the courts will meet this need. Committee members plan to monitor this situation.