gate

v. to arrest (for the same crime) a prisoner just released under parole; to hold a prisoner beyond the period when parole would ordinarily be permitted. Subjects: English, Canada, Crime & Prisons

Editorial Note: This term is specific to Canada.

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Citations: 1982 William Nellis Globe and Mail (Toronto, Can.) (Dec. 22) “Inmate challenges denial of mandatory supervision” p. P20: Miss Moore was released from prison on mandatory supervision—a controversial early-release program for prisoners—but was arrested as soon as she left the prison. According to Mr. Cole, this procedure is known as gating and has been applied to seven prisoners in federal penitentiaries across Canada in the past two months. 1983 Marina Strauss Globe and Mail (Toronto, Can.) (Jan. 28) “‘Gating’ of prisoners disallowed by court”: Gating means that the parole board sends back to prison inmates going out of the prison gates on mandatory supervision. The law requires that prisoners who have served two-thirds of their sentence be released to serve the last third under the mandatory supervision of parole officers. 1988 Cal Millar Toronto Star (Can.) (Dec. 5) “Our ‘most dangerous’ woman, 31 dies in jail” p. A3: She was denied parole several times but was released in July, 1985 by the Ontario Court of Appeal. The court ruled that Moore’s gating was illegal. 1992 Eugene McCarthy The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Can.) (Dec. 5) “Anger spurred attacks on Waterloo women, sex offender asserts”: Aware of public concern about prisoners committing violent crimes while on mandatory supervision, new legislation was enacted to allow the parole board to detain potentially dangerous offenders—like Leigh—until their sentences expired. The actual process is called a detention hearing. It’s popularly known as “gating.” 1993 Ian Macleod @ Brampton Ottawa Citizen (Can.) (Feb. 14) “Predator: the horror that was Joseph Fredericks” p. A4: His parole officer did not consider holding, or “gating” him until the absolute end of his sentence on Nov. 28, 1989. To do so, an inmate’s behavior must have changed or there must be new information concerning his level of danger to others. 2005 Timothy Appleby Globe and Mail (Toronto, Can.) (Feb. 12) “Former sex offender denied parole in threat conviction”: Only in rare cases are inmates detained beyond that two-thirds point, even where parole has been denied. In theory, however, Mr. Ferrier’s criminal history could earn him a place in that category, often referred to as being “gated,” which would mean serving his full two-year term.

Posted 16 Feb 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend