Alberta is getting its own parole board – one of the suggestions of the Fair Deal panel..Starting Monday, the Alberta Parole Board will make decisions on parole for any provincial prisoners serving sentences of less than two years..The board will be headed by former Calgary Police Service Chief Rick Hanson, who is also a former chief superintendent of the Alberta RCMP..“The board will reflect the specific needs and concerns of Albertans,” Justice Minister Kaycee Madu said at a Thursday poress conference..“It will be more responsive to the people of Alberta..“Given the lack of action by the federal government in addressing Alberta’s request for a fair deal in Confederation, the Alberta government must continue to assert its jurisdictional authority where it can, like a provincial parole board. The provincial government has assembled a skilled, diverse and experienced team, and I have the utmost confidence in the Alberta Parole Board members to deliver fair decisions on behalf of Albertans.”.Madu said it’s hoped the parole board will help stop the scourge of rural crime in Alberta – a good chunk which is being done by “catch-and-release” criminals..“The parole board can address those concerns…in terms of the revolving door, finally we will get a handle on this problem,” he said..He said the 6-member board will be independent of the court system and the government.. “It is our firm commitment to work diligently to make our communities safer,” said Hanson..It will cost $682,000 to set up and run in the first year. The province is still negotiating with the federal government to try and get them to chip in some of the costs..Alberta joins Ontario and Quebec having their own parole boards..Prisoners serving more than two years will continue to have their parole decision by the federal Canada Parole Board..Members of the Alberta Parole Board.Rick Hanson, chair – a former chief of police in Calgary and a former chief superintendent with the RCMPRandy Anderson – Northland School Board trustee and manager of Indigenous Relations at North Lake CollegePaul Bourassa – director and vice-president of Altia-ABM Inc. (North America)Craig Paterson – lawyer and former chair of Central Alberta Mental Health Review BoardShelly Takacs – project manager at Alberta Health ServicesAngela Tripathy – executive leader and general counselLisa Wardley – Mackenzie County councillor in Zama City.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
