Perspectives on the Transfer of Prisoners between the United States and Mexico and the United States and Canada

Transfers of convicted offenders have recently begun under United States treaties with Mexico and Canada. Both treaties were ratified by the Senate in July, 1977, and implementing legislation was enacted on October 28, 1977. The treaties represent pioneering efforts in international penal cooperation, and like all such efforts they pose novel operational and constitutional challenges. This article will outline the transfer procedures and highlight some substantive constitutional issues.