Commissioner's Directive 711: Structured Intervention Units

Application

Applies to all Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) staff and contractors involved in the transfer, management, oversight, provision of interventions, services and decision-making for SIU inmates or inmates subject to restricted movement.

Contents

• Responsibilities
  • National Headquarters
  • Regional Headquarters
  • SIU and non-SIU sites
• Considerations in SIU decisions
• Enquiries
• Annex A: Cross-references and definitions
• Related links

Responsibilities

National Headquarters

1. The Commissioner will:
   1. designate a penitentiary or any area in a penitentiary as an SIU, in accordance with section 31 of the CCRA
   2. establish a Health Committee in accordance with subsection 37.31(3) of the CCRA to review the cases of SIU inmates or inmates subject to restricted movement referred to the Committee
       
2. The Senior Deputy Commissioner (SDC) will:
   1. review SIU cases and document their decision on whether the inmate should remain in an SIU, in accordance with section 37.4 of the CCRA:
      1. within thirty (30) calendar days of the Institutional Head’s thirty (30) day decision that an inmate should remain in an SIU, unless an Independent External Decision Maker (IEDM) has made a determination that an inmate should not remain in an SIU
      2. every sixty (60) days thereafter, if applicable, until the SDC or an IEDM determines that an inmate should not remain in an SIU, or the inmate is transferred out of the SIU
   2. only determine that an inmate should remain in an SIU if they have reasonable grounds to believe that allowing the inmate’s reintegration into a mainstream inmate population would jeopardize the safety of the inmate or any other person or the security of the penitentiary, or interfere with an investigation, in accordance with subsection 37.41(1) of the CCRA
   3. identify changes required to an inmate’s conditions of confinement, if applicable, following a determination that an inmate will remain in an SIU and direct the Institutional Head to implement them within their decision
       
3. The Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs (ACCOP), will:
   1. in the absence of the SDC, perform the duties of the SDC under this policy
   2. ensure processes are in place for SIUs related to:
      1. data collection, quality assurance and reporting
      2. human resources and allocation
      3. financial and budgetary allocations
   3. develop and implement guidelines and procedures manuals in support of this directive, in consultation with the SDC, the Assistant Commissioner, Health Services (ACHS), the Deputy Commissioner for Women (DCW) and the Deputy Commissioner, Indigenous Corrections (DCIC), as appropriate
   4. ensure a variety of correctional interventions and services, including correctional programs, education programs, employment programs, behavioural skills coaching, social programs, cultural, spiritual and chaplaincy services, and community supports, are available in SIUs and responsive to the needs of a diverse SIU inmate population
   5. collaborate with the Assistant Commissioner, Human Resource Management, the ACHS, the DCW and the DCIC, as appropriate, on the development of SIU Training Standards
   6. ensure processes are in place to refer cases to an IEDM by the next working day:
      1. in accordance with subsection 37.83(1) of the CCRA, where an inmate in an SIU or subject to restricted movement has not met their minimum daily SIU entitlements of four (4) hours outside of cell or two (2) hours of interaction with others for:
         1. five (5) consecutive calendar days, or
         2. 15 out of any consecutive 30 calendar days
      2. in accordance with section 37.8 of the CCRA, when the SDC determines that an inmate will remain in an SIU under section 37.4 of the CCRA
      3. in accordance with subsection 23.06(1) of the CCRR, where an inmate has not met their minimum daily SIU entitlements for 10 consecutive days after an IEDM determination that CSC has taken all reasonable steps to provide an inmate with their minimum daily SIU entitlements
      4. in accordance with paragraph 23.07(1)(a) of the CCRR, where an inmate was authorized to be transferred to an SIU at least four (4) times within a period of 180 consecutive calendar days, and the inmate was not, during that period, referred to an IEDM for the purposes of making a determination in accordance with section 37.8 of the CCRA
      5. in accordance with paragraph 23.07(1)(b) of the CCRR, where the ACCOP requests an external review of an inmate’s case
          
4. The Assistant Commissioner, Health Services, will:
   1. develop guidelines outlining the responsibilities and procedures related to the delivery of health services in SIUs that are responsive to the needs of a diverse SIU inmate population, in consultation with the ACCOP, DCW and DCIC
   2. chair the Health Committee established by the Commissioner to review cases referred to the Committee in accordance with subsection 37.32(1) of the CCRA
   3. develop and implement a quality assurance program specific to health services in SIUs in accordance with section 86 of the CCRA
       
5. The Assistant Commissioner, Public Affairs, Culture and Engagement, will: 
   1. provide information, tools and guidance to regions and sites to facilitate the involvement of community supports that provide programs and services for SIU inmates
   2. promote the engagement of Citizen Advisory Committees (CACs) and Regional Ethnocultural Advisory Committees (REACs) to offer support to SIU inmates
   3. monitor the involvement of community supports providing services to SIU inmates
       
6. The Deputy Commissioner for Women will:
   1. participate as a member of the Health Committee established by the Commissioner to review cases of women offenders referred to the Committee in accordance with subsection 37.32(1) of the CCRA
   2. ensure a variety of correctional interventions and services, including correctional programs, educational programs, employment programs, support from Behavioural Interventionists, social programs, cultural, spiritual and chaplaincy services, and community supports, are available to SIU inmates at women’s institutions and responsive to the needs of a diverse SIU inmate population
       
7. The Deputy Commissioner, Indigenous Corrections, will:
   1. participate as a member of the Health Committee established by the Commissioner to review cases where an Indigenous inmate is referred to the Committee, in accordance with subsection 37.32(1) of the CCRA
   2. provide national oversight with regard to cultural services, including access to Elders or Spiritual Advisors, to ensure that they are available to SIU Indigenous inmates and are responsive to their needs. This will be done in consultation with the Regional Deputy Commissioners and the Regional Administrators, Indigenous Initiatives

Regional Headquarters

8. The Regional Deputy Commissioner will:
   1. participate as a member of the Health Committee established by the Commissioner to review cases where an SIU inmate or an inmate subject to restricted movement within their region is referred to the Committee in accordance with subsection 37.32(1) of the CCRA
   2. ensure staff working with and providing services to SIU inmates within their region receive SIU training as per the National Training Standards
   3. establish a regional process to support and enhance the delivery and documentation requirements of SIU entitlements and correctional interventions and services in SIUs, excluding health services
   4. ensure consultation occurs on an ongoing basis with the regional CACs and REACs regarding their engagement and support of SIU inmates
       
9. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Operations, will:
   1. ensure management of SIUs within their region
   2. in accordance with paragraph 23.07(1)(b) of the CCRR, refer cases within their region to the ACCOP when an external review of an inmate’s case by an IEDM is recommended
   3. ensure decisions by Institutional Heads, SDC and IEDMs are implemented as soon as possible

Structured Intervention Units and non-Structured Intervention Units sites

10. The Institutional Head will:
    1. ensure SIU inmates or inmates subject to restricted movement can exercise the same rights as other inmates, except for those that cannot be exercised due to limitations specific to the SIU or security requirements as a result of being subject to restricted movement, in accordance with section 35 of the CCRA
    2. ensure a transfer to an SIU is the least restrictive measure being used to manage the risk identified, while ensuring the protection of society, staff, and inmates, as well as the security of the penitentiary in accordance with paragraph 4(c) of the CCRA
    3. only approve an inmate’s transfer to an SIU or determine that an inmate should remain in an SIU if they have reasonable grounds to believe that allowing the inmate’s reintegration into the mainstream inmate population would jeopardize the safety of the inmate or any other person or the security of the penitentiary, or interfere with an investigation, in accordance with subsections 34(1) and 37.41(1) of the CCRA
    4. review the case of SIU inmates or inmates subject to restricted movement and:
       1. decide to approve or not approve an inmate’s transfer to an SIU in accordance with subsection 29.01(2) of the CCRA
       2. decide if the inmate should remain in an SIU in accordance with paragraph 37.3(1)(a) of the CCRA, when a registered health care professional recommends, for health reasons, that an inmate should not remain in an SIU
       3. decide if the inmate should remain in an SIU in accordance with paragraph 37.3(1)(b) of the CCRA, unless an IEDM has made a determination that an inmate should not remain in an SIU
       4. determine if an inmate’s conditions of confinement should be altered in accordance with subsection 37.3(2) of the CCRA following a decision in accordance with subsection 37.3(1) of the CCRA that an inmate will remain in an SIU
    5. in accordance with section 33 of the CCRA, ensure strategies are developed that will assist in the identification of a reasonable alternative to an SIU transfer and to implement a decision that an inmate should not remain in an SIU as soon as possible, while ensuring the security of the penitentiary and the safety of any person
    6. in accordance with subsection 36(1) of the CCRA, ensure SIU inmates and inmates subject to restricted movement are provided their SIU entitlements and:
       1. ensure every reasonable effort is made to provide in-person interactions that are not mediated or interposed by a physical barrier, in accordance with subsection 32(2) of the CCRA
       2. only approve exceptions to providing inmates with their SIU entitlements in accordance with subsection 37(1) of the CCRA and subsection 19(1) of the CCRR
       3. ensure all opportunities for time out of cell and to interact with others and efforts to encourage inmates to avail themselves of opportunities are recorded in the SIU application, including the reasons given for a refusal if the inmate refuses an opportunity or the reason an opportunity was not given as a result of an exception in accordance with subsection 37(2) of the CCRA
    7. ensure SIU inmates and inmates subject to restricted movement have access to legal counsel in accordance with section 97 of the CCRR
    8. establish partnerships with community supports for routine community engagement at SIU sites and ensure volunteer services are offered to inmates in SIUs
    9. establish:
       1. a Structured Intervention Unit Review Committee (SIURC) in accordance with subsection 20(1) of the CCRR
       2. a Structured Intervention Unit Correctional Intervention Board (SIU-CIB)
    10. meet with SIU inmates for decision-making in accordance with subsection 37.3(3) of the CCRA
    11. meet with inmates subject to restricted movement daily in accordance with subsection 37.91(2) of the CCRA and document each interaction in the SIU application
    12. provide a response to an IEDM’s recommendations under subsection 37.83(2) of the CCRA within seven (7) calendar days from receipt of the recommendations, including the day it was received
    13. develop and update, as required, an institutional Standing Order on SIUs or restricted movement, including, but not limited to, procedures to ensure:
        1. IEDMs have access to SIU inmates and inmates subject to restricted movement in accordance with section 37.73 of the CCRA
        2. an IEDM request to meet with CSC staff or contractors as part of their review is facilitated, in accordance with paragraph 37.7(2)(a) of the CCRA
        3. Health Committee determinations that an inmate should remain in an SIU or that an inmate’s conditions of confinement should be altered are shared with the inmate and the IEDM in accordance with subsection 23(3) of the CCRR
        4. members of the CAC and REACs have reasonable access to the SIU and opportunities to meet with inmates and attend the SIURC in person or virtually
            
11. The Assistant Warden, Interventions, or in their absence, the Assistant Warden, Operations, will authorize a transfer to an SIU only if they are satisfied there are no reasonable alternatives that would mitigate the risk to any person, the inmate, or the security of the penitentiary or of interference in an investigation, in accordance with subsections 29.01(1) and 34(1) of the CCRA
    
12. The Correctional Manager in charge of the institution outside of regular working hours will:
    1. in accordance with subsection 29.01(1) of the CCRA, authorize a transfer to an SIU only if they are satisfied there are no reasonable alternatives that would mitigate the risk to any person, the inmate, or the security of the penitentiary or of interference in an investigation, in accordance with subsection 34(1) of the CCRA
    2. perform the duties of the Institutional Head following a recommendation from a registered health care professional in accordance with section 37.2 of the CCRA
        
13. The SIU Manager, the Manager, Intensive Intervention Strategy, or the Manager, Assessment and Interventions, as applicable, will ensure:
    1. inmates are verbally advised and provided with a written copy of CSC determinations, including the reason(s) for them, in accordance with subsection 37.3(5) of the CCRA, and subsections 13.1(3) and 23.01(2) of the CCRR
    2. an SIU inmate’s Correctional Plan is updated following a decision that the inmate should remain in the SIU, in accordance with subsection 15.1(2.1) of the CCRA

Considerations in Structured Intervention Units decisions

14. A CSC designated decision maker will ensure their written decision includes considerations of:
    1. the criteria in section 28 of the CCRA
    2. the factors in subsection 37.41(2) of the CCRA, including:
       1. the inmate’s Correctional Plan
       2. the appropriateness of the inmate’s confinement in the penitentiary
       3. the appropriateness of the inmate’s security classification
       4. any other relevant considerations, as outlined in SIU Procedures Manuals
    3. for Indigenous inmates, the inmate’s Indigenous Social History in accordance with section 79.1 of the CCRA
    4. the inmate’s state of health and/or health care needs, as identified by a registered health care professional, in accordance with section 87 of the CCRA

Enquiries

15. Strategic Policy Division
    National Headquarters
    Email: Gen-NHQPolicy-Politi@csc-scc.gc.ca

 

Commissioner,
Anne Kelly

 

Annex A: Cross-references and definitions

Cross-references

CD 001: Mission, Values and Ethics Framework of the Correctional Service of Canada

CD 023: Citizen Advisory Committees

CD 024: Management of Correctional Service of Canada Volunteers

CD 081: Inmate Complaints and Grievances

CD 083: Inmate Committees

CD 084: Inmates’ Access to Legal Assistance and the Police

CD 087: Official Languages

CD 100: Gender Diverse Offenders

CD 228: Information Management

CD 550: Inmate Accommodation

CD 564: Departmental Security

CD 566-6: Security Escorts

CD 566-12: Personal Property of Offenders

CD 568-7: Incompatible Offenders

CD 578: Intensive Intervention Strategy in Women Offender Institutions/Units

CD 580: Discipline of Inmates

CD 700: Correctional Interventions

CD 701: Information Sharing

CD 702: Indigenous Offenders

CD 710: Institutional Supervision Framework

CD 710-1: Progress Against the Correctional Plan

CD 710-2: Transfer of Inmates

GL 710-2-1: CCRA Section 81: Transfers

GL 710-2-2: Inter-Regional Transfers by Air

GL 710-2-3: Inmate Transfer Processes

GL 710-2-4: Movement Within Clustered/Multi-Level Institutions

CD 710-6: Review of Inmate Security Classification

GL 711-1: Transfer of Inmates to a Structured Intervention Unit

GL 711-2: Management of Structured Intervention Unit Inmates and Inmates Subject to Restricted Movement

GL 711-3: Transfer of Inmates Out of a Structured Intervention Unit

GL 711-4: Correctional Interventions and Services in Structured Intervention Units

GL 711-5: Health Services in Structured Intervention Units

GL 711-6: Referrals to and Information Sharing with Independent External Decision Makers

CD 720: Education Programs and Services for Inmates

GL 720-1: Guidelines for Education Programs

CD 726: Correctional Programs

GL 726-2: National Correctional Program Referral Guidelines

GL 726-3: National Correctional Program Management Guidelines

CD 730: Offender Program Assignments and Inmate Payments

CD 735: Employment and Employability Program

CD 750: Chaplaincy Services

GL 750-1: Inmate Religious Accommodations  

CD 760: Social Programs and Leisure Activities

CD 767: Ethnocultural Offenders: Services and Interventions

CD 768: Institutional Mother-Child Program

CD 784: Victim Engagement

CD 800: Health Services

CD 843: Interventions to Preserve Life and Prevent Serious Bodily Harm

Indigenous Social History Tool

Mental Health Guidelines

Structured Intervention Unit Procedures Manual: Men’s Non-SIU Sites

Structured Intervention Unit Procedures Manual: Men’s SIU Sites

Structured Intervention Unit Procedures Manual: Women’s Sites

Structured Intervention Units (SIU): Procedures for Correctional Interventions and Services in SIU: Men’s Institutions

Definitions

As soon as possible

At the earliest possible time or opportunity, taking into consideration all the facts and circumstances of the individual case, without compromising the safety of staff, inmates, contractors or the public and the security of the institution.

Barrier

Any physical barrier, such as bars, security glass, cell doors, door hatches or screens, that would mediate or interpose an opportunity to interact through human contact, in accordance with subsection 32(2) of the CCRA.

Behavioural skills coach

At men’s institutions, a staff member assigned and trained to deliver the Behavioural Skills Coaching Intervention to inmates in an SIU.

Community supports

Community organizations and volunteers that provide programs, interventions, and services to support the provision of opportunities for time out of cell and interaction with others.

Conditions of confinement

For the purpose of the SIU policy suite, the living conditions of an inmate while in an SIU or subject to restricted movement, which includes, but is not limited to, showers, cleanliness of the unit, working conditions of range and unit amenities, the frequency, duration and type of opportunities made available to the inmate, as well as the conditions under which these opportunities are provided, including whether barriers are used to mediate or interpose human interactions.

Contractors

For the purpose of the SIU policy suite, people under contract with CSC to provide specific interventions and services to SIU inmates, including Elders, Elder’s Helpers, Teachers, Chaplains, and Spiritual Advisors.

Correctional interventions

For the purpose of the SIU policy suite, activities and interventions related to correctional programs, educational programs, the Behavioural Skills Coaching Intervention, support from Behavioural Interventionists at women’s institutions, and social programs that support the return of SIU inmates to a mainstream inmate population at the earliest possible time, while maintaining continuity in meeting the objectives of their Correctional Plan.

CSC designated decision maker

The CSC decision authority designated through this policy and in accordance with subsection 29.01(2), subsections 37.3(1) and (2), section 37.4 and subsections 37.32(1) and (2) of the CCRA to make a decision in relation to an inmate’s confinement in an SIU, including if an inmate should remain in an SIU or if an inmate’s conditions of confinement should be altered.

Independent external decision maker

Appointed by the Minister to review the cases of inmates confined in an SIU or subject to restricted movement in accordance with conditions and timeframes identified within the CCRA and CCRR.

Inmate subject to restricted movement

Any inmate who is authorized for transfer to an SIU and placed on restricted movement status pending their physical movement to an SIU.

Interact with others

CSC’s obligation to provide inmates in an SIU, between the hours of 07:00 and 22:00, with opportunities to interact with others for a minimum of two (2) hours each day, through activities including, but not limited to, programs, interventions and services that encourage the inmate to make progress towards the objectives of their Correctional Plan or that support the inmate’s reintegration into the mainstream inmate population, and leisure time, in accordance with subsection 36(1) of the CCRA.

Reasonable alternative

An actionable alternative that has been identified after completion of a thorough assessment of the inmate's individual profile, risk factors, culturally appropriate and restorative options, institutional adjustment, and programming, and in consideration of any comments made by the inmate regarding the proposed alternative.

Regular working hours

The hours in a working day between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm

SIU application

Application used by CSC staff and applicable contractors to document SIU decisions, the daily activities, interactions with inmates and other information related to an inmate’s confinement in an SIU or when subject to restricted movement.

SIU entitlements

CSC's obligations to provide SIU inmates or inmates subject to restricted movement with opportunities to be out of their cell for a minimum of four (4) hours each day, and as part of their four (4) hours outside of cell, a minimum of two (2) hours to interact with others each day, in accordance with subsection 36(1) of the CCRA. For inmates subject to restricted movement, opportunities to interact with others are to be provided only if the circumstances permit, in accordance with subsection 37.91(1) of the CCRA.

SIU inmate

Any inmate authorized or approved for transfer to an SIU and who is physically residing in an SIU.

SIU site

An institution with an SIU, as designated by the Commissioner.

Structured Intervention Unit Correctional Intervention Board

At men’s institutions, a multidisciplinary intervention team comprised of members of the case management and multidisciplinary teams, as applicable, and chaired by the SIU Manager, that approves interventions and contributes to recommendations or decisions.

Structured Intervention Unit Review Committee

A committee established by the Institutional Head in accordance with section 20 of the CCRR to review the case of an SIU inmate following an approved SIU transfer decision or a decision that an inmate should remain in an SIU and to make recommendations to the designated decision authority if an inmate should remain in an SIU.

Working day

In accordance with subsection 2(1) of the CCRA, working day means a day on which offices of the federal public administration are generally open in the province in question.

Related links

• Policy Bulletin 726