Since the committee considers that all components of the criminal justice system must aim to increase public education about criminal justice processes and issues, one chapter discusses a Canadian study of public attitudes toward sentencing and identifies other areas of misunderstanding that contribute to lack of public confidence in the criminal justice system. Similarly, to reinforce its view that criminal justice reforms must occur in a context responsive to victims and the community, a chapter discusses the needs and interests of victims. Four chapters review the recent history of proposed sentencing reforms in Canada and present the committee's proposals for sentencing reform. Three chapters identify the present forms of conditional release, review the recent history of proposed reforms, and explain how the release process functions. Remaining chapters present the committee's proposals for conditional release reform and outline proposals for correctional program reform, with particular emphasis on native and women offenders. Minutes of proceedings, request for government response, appended list of recommendations and supplementary information.