Conditional refers to rules the offender must follow in order to remain out of prison, which are similar to when one is on parole.
Conditional sentences were introduced in 1995 as a response to perceived over-incarceration, especially among Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Upon the earliest of the accused being arrested for an alleged breach or upon the issuance of a warrant, the conditional sentence stops running.
If the court finds that a breach occurred, the accused bears to onus to justify the continuation of the conditional sentence.
"[2] In 2008, Stephen Harper noted that in Saskatchewan 39 per cent of criminals sentenced to house arrest were sent back to jail for breaching their conditions.
[4] In addition, thousands convicted of crimes of violence, including homicides and sexual assaults have been given conditional sentences.