Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Commissioner's Directive 715-1: Community supervision

Authorities

Purpose

  • To provide direction on assessing and managing an offender’s transition to the community following release
  • To provide direction on the completion of Staff Safety Assessments and the application of tandem supervision

Application


Commissioner's Directive

Correctional Service Canada badge

Number: 715-1
In Effect: 2026-05-04

Related links

Applies to staff responsible for community supervision, including unescorted temporary absences and work releases

Contents

Responsibilities

  1. The District Director will ensure:
    1. procedures regarding information sharing for high profile offenders are followed in accordance with Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 701: Information Sharing
    2. procedures regarding victim engagement are followed in accordance with CD 784: Victim Engagement
    3. tandem supervision practices are respected
    4. the police force of primary jurisdiction is provided with relevant information pertaining to offenders’ release activities, and
    5. procedures are in place to assist offenders in obtaining appropriate documentation or identification such as a birth certificate, Indian Status card, Métis card, Inuit Beneficiary card, citizenship certificate, permanent resident card, provincial health card, or Social Insurance Number
  2. The Area Director will:
    1. ensure processes are in place to share offender-related information with the police in accordance with CD 701: Information Sharing
    2. be the final decision maker on any submission to reduce levels of intervention during the first 90 days of release for offenders granted one-chance statutory release and for offenders subject to long-term supervision orders released at warrant expiry date
    3. provide a final decision on the application or removal of tandem supervision in the event of a dissenting opinion between the Parole Officer and their supervisor, and
    4. determine the list of locations which may be considered by parole offices as being:
      1. remote (such as locations that require significant travel time, but are accessible by road) or
      2. isolated (such as locations that require significant travel time and are not accessible by road)
  3. The Parole Officer Supervisor or the Community Correctional Centre (CCC) Manager will:
    1. ensure continuity of the Correctional Plan
    2. review and approve the offender’s Correctional Plan Update and any changes to their level of intervention and program needs
    3. review and approve Staff Safety Assessments and any change to the application or removal of tandem supervision
    4. ensure every community-based residential facility (CBRF) provides relevant offender information as identified in their contract terms and conditions, for the information to be considered and properly documented through the supervision process, and
    5. when required, finalize the individualized protocol, in accordance with CD 100: Gender Diverse Offenders , if the Parole Officer does not support the accommodation requested by the offender in one or more sections of the individualized protocol.
  4. The Parole Officer will:
    1. identify and implement interventions which address and respond to the offender’s risk, needs and personal situation, respect gender, ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic differences, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and are responsive to the special needs of women, Indigenous persons, visible minorities, persons requiring mental health care, and other groups
    2. activate the Gender Accommodations Need flag in the Offender Management System (OMS) when the offender requests one or more accommodations related to their gender identity or gender expression and complete the applicable sections in the individualized protocol in collaboration with the offender, in accordance with CD 100: Gender Diverse Offenders
    3. update the offender’s individualized protocol upon their release in the community, when there is an active Gender Accommodations Need flag in OMS
    4. meet with the offender as per the established level of intervention and ensure all meetings are varied in terms of day, time, and location
    5. maintain and update the Correctional Plan in consultation with the offender and, when applicable, the Correctional Program Officer or the Indigenous Correctional Program Officer when determining objectives
    6. assist and support the offender to actively participate in meeting the objectives of their Correctional Plan
    7. document all relevant offender and collateral contact information in a Casework Record within established timeframes and parameters
    8. participate in the Community Correctional Intervention Committee, as required
    9. review and update the Family Violence Risk Assessment (Phase I) and the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (Phase II) upon receipt of additional relevant information, and update the Criminal Profile and Correctional Plan, if required
    10. monitor the offender’s behaviour and compliance with release conditions, special instructions, curfew restrictions and court-ordered obligations
    11. confirm with the offender current pieces of identification upon release and, if required, assist the offender in obtaining outstanding pieces of identification, including their health card or coverage, and
    12. document the offender’s plan and all actions taken to assist the offender (or the offender’s refusal) in obtaining outstanding pieces of identification in a Casework Record entitled “Personal Documents – Post‑Rel”
  5. In the context of day parole to an other location, the Parole Officer will:
    1. discuss and confirm with the home provider:
      1. their role and responsibilities in supporting and facilitating the offender’s release
      2. the monitoring of the offender’s physical presence within the confines of their residence
      3. the monitoring of the offender’s behaviour and special conditions
      4. the availability of financial and social support, if required
    2. review the offender’s schedule as needed and document the number of hours to be spent at the residence in a Casework Record
  6. The offender is expected to:
    1. participate in the consultation process for the maintenance of their Correctional Plan
    2. actively participate in meeting the objectives identified in their Correctional Plan
    3. actively take steps in obtaining outstanding pieces of identification, and
    4. follow all standard and special conditions imposed on their release

Procedures

Staff Safety and tandem supervision

  1. The Staff Safety Assessment (Annex B) will be completed by the supervising Parole Officer prior to the first community supervision contact (excluding contacts at the parole office, a CBRF or in public areas with a high concentration of individuals), and no later than 10 working days following:
    1. an offender’s initial release (including releases following a revocation)
    2. a case reassignment
    3. a change in release type
    4. a release for an unescorted temporary absence if the offender is supervised by a parole office
    5. the Parole Officer’s determination that factors have arisen which may have a possible impact on staff safety, or
    6. an offender’s release from remand or immigration hold or the cancellation of a suspension in the case of offenders who went unlawfully at large and whose Staff Safety Assessment was not completed at the time of initial release.
  2. A Staff Safety Assessment is not required according to the above criteria in the case of offenders taken into provincial custody in relation to a remand order or an immigration hold, or for offenders who went unlawfully at large.
  3. All staff members, excluding the author of the assessment, will ensure the Staff Safety Assessment is reviewed prior to the first meeting with an offender in the community (excluding contacts at the parole office, a CBRF or in public areas with a high concentration of individuals) and the review is documented in a Casework Record.
  4. If tandem supervision is required, all community supervision contacts (except those at the parole office, a CBRF or in public areas with a high concentration of individuals) will occur with an authorized tandem supervision partner. This includes transporting an offender in a vehicle.
  5. A tandem supervision partner (see Annex F) refers to the second individual required to complete tandem supervision. Authorized individuals include:
    1. any CSC staff member
    2. Peace Officers (including Police Officers and Provincial Probation and Parole Officers)
    3. Community Assessment and Parole Supervision contractors, and
    4. individuals authorized by the District Director by name.
  6. These individuals must have:
    1. a valid reliability status
    2. received a briefing on the offender’s criminal history, Staff Safety Assessment details and case dynamics as they relate to staff safety risk factors. This must be done on a need-to-know basis in accordance with CD 701: Information Sharing
    3. discussed with the Parole Officer a safety plan based on the location of the visit and dynamics of the offender prior to starting the visit, and
    4. provided their relevant contact information (when they are not a CSC staff member) prior to conducting a community contact activity.
  7. All individuals designated as authorized tandem partners must have independent access to the Community Safety Alert System or to the security system established by their organization and must ensure that both their contact information and supervision details are registered in the system prior to engaging in any community contacts.
  8. If any concerns regarding staff safety arise during the supervision, a comprehensive assessment and rationale for recommending tandem supervision will be required, including an alternate supervision strategy.
  9. Active tandem supervision cases will be reviewed at least once every 90 days during a case conference to decide whether to continue or discontinue the tandem supervision. This review will be documented in a Casework Record. If the decision is to discontinue the tandem supervision, a new Staff Safety Assessment will be completed.
  10. If an offender’s release is suspended during a 90-day tandem supervision period and the suspension is subsequently cancelled, the Case Management Team will evaluate whether to continue or restart the active tandem supervision period.

Release from the Institution, Change of Release Type or Continuation of Day Parole

  1. Within 24 hours following a release from the institution, the supervising parole office will provide the police with the following:
    1. an up-to-date offender photograph (if required)
    2. a copy of the release certificate, which includes the territorial boundaries noted under Special Instructions
    3. the Standard Profile, and
    4. the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) Decision Sheet (if applicable).
  2. For a change of release type or the continuation of day parole, the parole office will notify the police and share the above-mentioned documentation upon their request.
  3. The Parole Officer will meet the offender within one working day of arrival at the release destination following a release from the institution (excluding offenders who remain in custody on remand, or an immigration hold or removal order).
  4. If this deadline cannot be met due to extenuating circumstances (for example, release to a remote area where the Parole Officer or the Community Assessment and Parole Supervision contractor travels only once per week), the meeting will be rescheduled to the earliest practicable time upon approval of the Parole Officer Supervisor or the CCC Manager. The reason for the delay will be documented in a Casework Record.
  5. During the initial interview, the Parole Officer will:
    1. discuss with the offender the identification of their collateral network and document the collateral contact information in OMS under “Offender Contact”
    2. review the Community Strategy, the release plan, the standard and special conditions, as well as the offender’s current circumstances, and
    3. complete the Initial Interview Checklist (CSC/SCC 1331e).
  6. In the case of a change of special conditions or release type, or a continuation of day parole, the Parole Officer will meet with the offender to provide a new release certificate and review the release plan, special conditions, and any case-specific factors related to the supervision. This review will be documented in a Casework Record.

Levels of Intervention

  1. Levels of intervention are determined according to the criteria indicated below:
    1. Level I (Intensive Supervision) – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of eight face-to-face meetings per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the following three criteria are met:
      1. the offender is released from custody on statutory release or on a long-term supervision order
      2. their reintegration potential is rated as low at intake and at release, and
      3. their static or dynamic factors are assessed as high
         or when one of the following criteria is met:
      1. the offender is granted one-chance statutory release, or
      2. the offender is subject to a long-term supervision order and was already supervised at Level I in the community.
    2. Level A – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of four face-to-face meetings per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the level of intervention on either static or dynamic factors is assessed as high.
      Note: The reintegration potential of offenders supervised at Level I must be rated from low to medium in order for the offender to be supervised at Level A.
    3. Level A – Residency – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of four face-to-face meetings per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the Level I (Intensive Supervision) criteria is met and the offender is residing in one of the following CBRFs: a CCC, a community residential facility (CRF), or a treatment centre (this does not include “day parole to an other location”).
    4. Level B – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of two face-to-face meetings per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the highest level of intervention on either static or dynamic factors is assessed as medium.
    5. Level B – Residency – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of two face-to-face meetings per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the Level A criteria is met and the offender is residing in one of the following CBRFs: a CCC, a CRF, or a treatment centre (this does not include “day parole to an other location”).
    6. Level C – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of one face-to-face meeting per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the level of intervention on both static and dynamic factors is assessed as low.
    7. Level C – Residency – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of one face-to-face meeting per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the Level B criteria is met and the offender is residing in one of the following CBRFs: a CCC, a CRF, or a treatment centre (this does not include “day parole to an other location”).
    8. Level D – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of one face-to-face meeting every two months between the Parole Officer and the offender may be approved for an offender who has been supervised at Level C for a minimum of one year, not including any time spent on day parole.
    9. Level E – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of one face-to-face meeting every three months between the Parole Officer and the offender may be approved for an offender who has been supervised at Level D for a minimum of one year.
    10. Level F – A frequency of contact established at a minimum of four meetings every year (one face-to-face meeting between the Parole Officer and the offender and three contacts between the Parole Officer and one of the primary collateral contacts, spread evenly throughout the year – such as every three months) may be approved for an offender:
      1. who is suffering from a mental or physical illness, or a brain disorder such as advanced dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and who requires full-time assistance to perform most, if not all, activities of daily living, and
      2. whose illness or disorder is irreversible.

Assessment of the Level of Intervention and Confirmation of Program Referral(s)

  1. For intensive supervision cases (Level I and Level A – Residency), the level of intervention and communication with their collateral network will be reviewed no later than 90 days following release. Any change to the level of intervention will be documented in a Correctional Plan Update.
  2. All offenders (except those assessed as requiring Level I supervision, those in custody on outstanding charges or on an immigration hold or removal order, and those held in a health facility as per a court order) will be supervised at Level A until the level of intervention is reviewed, no later than 30 days following release. Offenders assessed as requiring Level I supervision will be supervised at Level I until the level of intervention is reviewed.
  1. The level of intervention for offenders in custody on outstanding charges, or on immigration hold or removal order will be suspended while the offender is in a secure facility. If required, contact between the Parole Officer and the offender (such as face-to-face or by telephone or videoconference) may occur. Contact with the provincial facility or Immigration officials will be maintained to obtain the outcome of decisions rendered in their respective areas of authority. The offender’s level of intervention will resume once the offender is released back into the community (such as on bail) following their remand in provincial custody for outstanding charges or hold by Immigration Canada. At that time, the initial interview will be completed.
  2. The level of intervention for offenders held in a health facility as per a court order will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may be suspended for the duration of the stay, if deemed appropriate. The Parole Officer will contact the health professional at the health facility at least once a month to obtain the outcome of decisions rendered in their area of authority. The offender’s level of intervention will be reviewed once the offender is released back into the community following their release from the health facility. At that time, the initial interview will be completed.
  3. The Parole Officer will review, with the Parole Officer Supervisor or the CCC Manager, the offender’s Correctional Plan, Community Strategy, level of intervention, contacts with their collateral network, program referral(s) and adjustment to the community, within 30 days of release from the institution, and proceed as follows:
    1. if there is no change to the level of intervention, key ratings or program referral(s), the results of the review will be recorded in a Casework Record (Correctional Plan Review), or
    2. if there are changes to the level of intervention (for example, the level of supervision is lowered due to the offender residing in one of the following CBRFs: a CCC, a CRF, or a treatment centre; or Level F was approved due to exceptional circumstances), key ratings or program referral(s), this will be documented in a Correctional Plan Update as outlined in Annex E.
  4. Offenders released on one-chance statutory release and those subject to long-term supervision orders who had been detained and released from custody at warrant expiry date will be supervised at Level I for at least 90 days following release. Any exceptions to this standard (for example, where at the 30-day review the Parole Officer and Parole Officer Supervisor or the CCC Manager assess that intensive supervision is not necessary) require approval by the Area Director and documentation in a Correctional Plan Update. These cases will be reviewed prior to the end of the 90 days. A reduction in supervision will require documentation in a Correctional Plan Update. If there is no change, this review can be documented in a Casework Record (Correctional Plan Review).
  5. For offenders supervised at Level F, the Parole Officer may consider whether special and standard conditions are still required and submit a recommendation to change conditions, as noted in Annex B of CD 715 2: Post-Release Decision Process, when appropriate. The Assessment for Decision form (CSC/SCC 2028e) will clearly outline the offender’s situation, establish who the primary collateral contact(s) will be and how communication will be facilitated with the Parole Officer, as well as provide a strong rationale for the recommendation to remove all special and standard conditions, except the requirement for the offender to:
    1. obey the law and keep the peace
    2. notify the parole supervisor of any change of address, and
    3. report to the parole supervisor as instructed by the parole supervisor.

Monitoring Offender Progress

  1. The Parole Officer must meet with the offender according to the required level of intervention, or more often, if necessary, to assess progress against the Correctional Plan and monitor standard and special conditions. Contacts with the offender will include community visits to ensure the Parole Officer gathers information about the offender in their environment. The contact will be documented in a Casework Record. In the event of a missed contact, the rationale will also be documented in a Casework Record, following a case conference with the Parole Officer Supervisor.
  2. When the level of intervention cannot be met due to exceptional circumstances or those beyond the Parole Officer’s control, the level of intervention may be decreased or completed through a combination of face-to-face and virtual contacts, following a case conference with the Parole Officer Supervisor or the CCC Manager. When an exception to decrease the level of intervention is granted for a period of less than one month (for example, hospitalization, illness, natural disaster or weather prohibiting meeting with the offender), the case conference will be documented in a Casework Record. Lengthier exceptions will be recorded in a Correctional Plan Update.
  3. In the case of offenders residing in a remote location (such as a location requiring significant travel time but accessible by road), as pre-determined by the Area Director, a combination of in-person and virtual contacts (up to 50%) may be approved to meet the required level of intervention. The authorization to substitute in-person contact with the offender will be based on risk, needs, and resource availability. The decision will be made following a case conference with the Parole Officer, the Indigenous Community Liaison Officer or Indigenous Community Development Officer if applicable, and the Parole Officer Supervisor, in order to establish an alternative monitoring strategy, including the development of an enhanced support network and collateral contacts. The case conference will be documented in a Casework Record. The alternative monitoring strategy, including the enhanced support network and collateral contacts, will be detailed in the Correctional Plan.
  4. In the case of offenders residing in an isolated location (such as a location requiring significant travel time and not accessible by road), as pre-determined by the Area Director, the required level of intervention may be reviewed, and a combination of in-person and virtual contacts (up to 50%) may be approved to achieve it. The authorization to substitute in-person contact with the offender will be based on risk, needs, and resource availability. The decision will be made following a case conference with the Parole Officer, the Indigenous Community Liaison Officer or Indigenous Community Development Officer if applicable, and the Parole Officer Supervisor, to establish a robust alternative monitoring strategy, including the development of an enhanced support network and collateral contacts. The case conference will be documented in a Casework Record. The robust alternative monitoring strategy, including the enhanced support network and collateral contacts, will be detailed in the Correctional Plan.
  5. Communication and sharing of unclassified information, including non-personal information, may be done with offenders through text message or email when consent is obtained from the offender and documented on the Initial Interview Checklist (CSC/SCC 1331e) or in a Casework Record, if obtained while under supervision.
  6. In cases where the Area Director has authorized a leave of up to a maximum of 30 consecutive days, per occurrence, for emergency medical reasons or up to a maximum of 3 days, per occurrence, for compassionate reasons, the Parole Officer will document the information in the next Correctional Plan Update. The PBC’s authorization is required for leaves exceeding 30 consecutive days for emergency medical reasons or exceeding 3 days for compassionate reasons.
  7. The Parole Officer will establish a network of collateral contacts to verify and validate offender reported information as well as to gather information on the offender’s behaviour and circumstances, throughout the supervision period. The sharing of information with collateral contacts will be completed in accordance with CD 701: Information Sharing.
  8. Communication with collateral contacts should vary (for example, be conducted at different times and days when possible and determined to be beneficial in the context of the supervision), should not always rely on the same individual, and will be determined based on specifics of the case, the level of intervention, and the integrity and degree of cooperation collateral contacts are willing to give.
  9. When the Parole Officer is unable to have a discussion with a collateral contact for various reasons (such as collateral contact refusing to cooperate or not returning phone calls, offender refusing to provide access to their collateral contacts), their attempts to initiate communication will be documented in a Casework Record.
  10. When deemed necessary, the Parole Officer will contact the police to verify whether the collateral contact is known to the police or identify the existence of a criminal record, if consent from the collateral contact is obtained as outlined in the Consent CPIC Clearance Request (Community) (CSC/SCC 1279 01e).
  11. Where there are police reporting requirements, these will be verified by the Parole Officer.
  12. All relevant offender and collateral contacts will be recorded in a Casework Record as soon as possible, but no later than within five working days. Any collateral contacts with the police wherein security information or intelligence is received will be recorded in an Electronic Statement Observation Report (eSOR) and shared in accordance with CD 568-2: Recording and Sharing of Security Information and Intelligence.
  13. Any changes observed in the offender’s physical appearance (such as scars or tattoos) will be documented in the “Distinct Physical Features” screen in OMS and in an Electronic Statement Observation Report (eSOR) and then shared with the community Security Intelligence Officer in accordance with CD 568-2: Recording and Sharing of Security Information and Intelligence for the community Security Intelligence Officer to assess for security threat group implications.
  14. The Parole Officer will provide the offender with community resource information to facilitate the transition to the community and engagement in the Correctional Plan. Community-based employment programs and services, including offender program assignments and vocational training in accordance with CD 735: Employment and Employability Program, volunteer-led activities with CSC volunteers, cultural resources and services and mental health services will be utilized where available and appropriate.
  1. As a member of the Case Management Team, if the Parole Officer recognizes early signs of suicidal ideation or self-injury, they will ensure that the offender is referred to the appropriate health care professionals. The Parole Officer will also ensure all relevant information is properly documented in the offender's file and shared with the Parole Officer’s immediate supervisor, CSC Health Services, any other CSC staff with a need to know, and third parties providing significant support to the offender, in the context of the community supervision and risk management, within the limits prescribed in CD 701: Information Sharing.
  2. The Parole Officer will maintain regular contacts with individuals or agencies providing programming or counselling to the offender to obtain progress information and will make all attempts to receive progress reports from them. This includes, as applicable, Elders or Spiritual Advisors as well as Opioid Agonist Treatment, mental health care, volunteer services and other program providers.
  3. The Parole Officer will promptly inform the police of any:
    1. suspicion of criminal activities
    2. modifications to release conditions
    3. actions taken in response to police information received, or
    4. travel permits issued to the offender.
  4. At any time during the release, the Parole Officer may request assistance and consultation with the community Security Intelligence Officer for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:
    1. concerns regarding staff or any individual’s safety have become known
    2. the offender is suspected of re-engaging in criminal activity
    3. the offender is suspected of becoming affiliated (or re-affiliated) with a security threat group
    4. an offender with an active security threat group affiliation requests a travel permit
    5. there have been repeated breaches during the supervision period
    6. there is a lack of transparency in relation to special conditions
    7. the offender is isolated or has special needs
    8. the offender requires an enhanced level of monitoring due to mental health issues
    9. the offender was released from a maximum security institution, or
    10. there will be a section 810 Criminal Code order at warrant expiry date and the offender requires monitoring for the final 90 days of the sentence.
  5. At any time during the release, the Parole Officer should ensure Indigenous offenders have access to Indigenous community resources and make a referral to the Indigenous Community Liaison Officer, in locations where one is in place, for the provision of additional support and information.

Case Conferences

  1. Case conferences between the supervising Parole Officer and the Parole Officer Supervisor or the CCC Manager will be held:
    1. to discuss the release plan or a change in the release plan
    2. to reassess risk and review progress
    3. to discuss any required interventions, such as program referrals
    4. to consider other interventions which respect gender, ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic differences, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression and are responsive to the special needs of women, Indigenous persons, visible minorities, persons requiring mental health care, aging offenders, and other groups
    5. prior to the approval of the first travel permit or weekend pass to a community support, if there is a reason to believe that the risk at that location may be increased due to the presence of precipitating factors or victim concerns or for travel inside established boundaries (where PBC imposed a special condition prohibiting the offender from being in a geographical area)
    6. to confirm the frequency of urinalysis or end the analysis pursuant to section 55 of the CCRA, or
    7. to discuss any situations arising throughout the supervision that may have impacts on risk management.
  2. The Parole Officer will document all case conferences in a Casework Record as soon as possible, but no later than within five working days. The Casework Record will detail the situation and refer the reader to the Correctional Plan or the Assessment for Decision, whichever contains the information on the intervention strategy.
  3. If the proposed release plan differs significantly from that which was approved by PBC, the Parole Officer will submit a recommendation to change conditions as noted in Annex B of CD 715‑2: Post‑Release Decision Process.

Updating Offender Progress

  1. Following the Correctional Plan Update – Community Progress – Report Guide (Annex E) and using the Rating Reassessment Framework (Annex C), the Parole Officer will update the Correctional Plan:
    1. to reflect progress or a change in a program referral and amend the objectives of the Correctional Plan
    2. to reflect the evolution of any of the key ratings when recommending:
      1. a change in the type of release
      2. the continuation of day parole, or
      3. a change in standard or special conditions
    3. for a transfer of supervision location (not required if an update was completed during the last two months and there is no new information to document)
    4. when a suspension occurs, in accordance with CD 715‑2: Post‑Release Decision Process
    5. when circumstances warrant a reassessment, or
    6. if none of the above have occurred, at least once a year from the date the last Correctional Plan Update was completed, to document the offender’s journey and review any progress against the objectives. Offenders supervised at Level E or F will require an update at least once every three years.
  2. In addition to regular supervision interviews with released offenders, during which special conditions are reviewed, Parole Officers shall conduct, with the offender, a structured review of all release conditions, including both standard and special conditions, at least once every 12 months. This review determines whether each condition remains reasonable and necessary based on the offender’s risk level and reintegration needs, as assessed in the Correctional Plan, and if the process to recommend modifications (such as a change or removal) should be initiated.

Travel Permits

  1. A travel permit is required for all travel outside the established territorial boundaries. Prior to approving travel outside the established boundaries, the Parole Officer will consider case-specific factors that can include but are not limited to: purpose and length of travel, offender's current risk level, existence of high risk situations, progress and stability under supervision, security intelligence information, victim concerns, PBC decisions and reasons for the decisions, as well as strategies to manage risk during the travel period.
  2. The decision to approve travel may also require consultation with the parole office and the police at the destination location.
  3. In cases where a special condition imposed by PBC prohibits an offender from being in a geographical area (as part of a special condition of no contact with victim[s]), travel inside the established boundaries can only be considered for the following exceptions:
    1. PBC hearing, if videoconference is not available
    2. court appearance and other judicial proceedings (such as in relation to parental rights or responsibilities)
    3. humanitarian reasons (for example, attending funerals or visiting a terminally ill person with whom the offender has a close personal relationship), and
    4. medical reasons.
  4. Authorization for the above exceptions will require consultation with the Victim Services Unit and approval from the Parole Officer Supervisor or the CCC Manager. The request will also be submitted to PBC, if applicable (when the exception is not already specified in the condition).
  5. A Community Assessment will be completed prior to approving travel to a community contact unknown to the Parole Officer. If a Community Assessment is not completed, the rationale for approving the travel permit without a Community Assessment will be documented in a Casework Record.
  6. Prior to approving an offender’s travel permit, the Parole Officer will reconfirm the availability of the community contact and document this confirmation in a Casework Record, even if a Community Assessment was completed.
  7. All travel permits will be entered in OMS as early as possible, but no later than five days in advance of the event (not counting the day the permit is entered nor the day the travel begins) or, in the case of short notice travel for a PBC hearing, court appearance, humanitarian reasons, employment or medical reasons, immediately when the decision is made and the information becomes available in accordance with CD 784: Victim Engagement.
  8. When travel outside the established boundaries is approved, a travel permit will be issued and shared with the offender. The offender must carry the travel permit at all times. This will allow the offender to demonstrate to the police that authorization was granted and there is no breach of condition.
  9. In cases where an offender has been granted a travel permit to a different supervision area and police reporting is required, the supervising Parole Officer will verify police reporting following the offender’s return. In cases where the destination office is actively involved in the supervision of the offender (for example travel permits of a long duration), the destination office is responsible for verifying the police reporting. The contact with the police will be documented in a Casework Record.
  10. The Parole Officer will advise the community Security Intelligence Officer of any travel requested by offenders with active security threat group affiliations.
  11. The established levels of intervention will be maintained during periods of travel.
  12. Given that the OMS entry of a travel permit automatically sends a notification to the Victim Services Unit, the Parole Officer will, for offenders with a victim notification, consult the Victim Services Unit prior to approving the travel if deemed necessary.
  13. The Parole Officer will immediately inform the Victim Services Unit of any travel permit change or cancellation.
  14. Travel will be confirmed by the Parole Officer following completion of the permit. When an offender is travelling to the same destination regularly, confirmation of travel need only occur based on case-specific factors.
  15. Requests for out-of-country travel require a referral and recommendation to PBC to relieve an offender from compliance with the standard condition requiring them to remain in Canada. (Refer to Annex D: Exchange of Information Agreement Between CSC and Passport Canada and the PBC Decision-Making Policy Manual for Board Members regarding out-of-country travel submissions.) This may not apply to offenders who have been granted parole reduced status.
  16. In the case of offenders with an active security threat group affiliation, the Parole Officer will forward relevant information to the community Security Intelligence Officer prior to submitting an out-of-country travel recommendation to PBC. The Security Intelligence Officer will advise the Preventive Security and Intelligence staff at Regional Headquarters of the need for a security review.
  17. The Parole Officer will include the results of the security review in the submission to PBC. If travel is approved by PBC, the community Security Intelligence Officer will provide the travel itinerary to the Preventive Security and Intelligence staff at Regional and National Headquarters.

Relocation or Reassignment of Offender’s Supervision

  1. Prior to transferring an offender to another supervising location, or reassigning the offender’s case to another Parole Officer, the supervising Parole Officer will consider the offender’s stability and case-specific factors, as well as the PBC decision and reasons for the decision, to ensure the transfer process is consistent with the goals of the Correctional Plan. Every effort will be made to avoid the transfer or reassignment of an offender who is in an unstable situation unless this will contribute to improved management of the offender’s risk.
  2. Prior to a transfer of supervision, the Parole Officer responsible for the supervision will confirm in a Casework Record that the exchange of information has taken place with the new Parole Officer.
  3. Prior to approving an offender’s request for relocation, the Parole Officer will consult with the destination office regarding supervision requirements, opportunities related to community-led volunteer services and supports, and a need for a Community Assessment. A case conference with the receiving Parole Officer will be held and documented in a Casework Record prior to a transfer or reassignment.
  4. Prior to transferring an offender to another supervising location with different territorial boundaries, the Parole Officer will:
    1. review and update the Correctional Plan, and
    2. when applicable, advise the Victim Services Unit normally five days in advance of the change or immediately when the information becomes available (if less than five days) in accordance with CD 784: Victim Engagement.
  5. Normally, where documents require translation, the sending office will translate the Criminal Profile Report, the Correctional Plan, the most recent Correctional Plan Update and Assessment for Decision, a current psychological or psychiatric risk assessment report, the Community Assessment(s), and any information impacting potential interventions, prior to the transfer of an offender.
  6. The receiving parole office will provide local police with the following:
    1. an up-to-date offender photograph (if required)
    2. a copy of the release certificate, which includes the territorial boundaries noted under Special Instructions
    3. the Standard Profile, and
    4. the PBC Decision Sheet (if applicable).

Sentence Expiry

  1. Four months prior to sentence expiry or the long-term supervision order end date, the Parole Officer will assess whether an offender poses a threat using the factors relevant for detention reviews (refer to CD 712-2: Detention).
  2. If, following a case conference with the Parole Officer Supervisor, it is determined that the offender does pose a threat, the Parole Officer will consult with the police where the offender is planning to reside, share all relevant offender-related information and provide them with advice regarding risk management strategies. The consultation will be documented in a Casework Record.
  3. Two weeks prior to sentence expiry, the Parole Officer will verify in OMS the existence of a probation order, and, where appropriate, communicate with the assigned provincial Probation Officer to facilitate a safe and secure transfer of the offender’s supervision to the appropriate provincial jurisdiction.
  4. The sharing of information with the province will be completed in accordance with CD 701: Information Sharing.
  5. In the event of the existence of a probation order, the Parole Officer will, for offenders with a Victim Notification Required flag, inform the Victim Services Unit normally five days prior to the sentence expiry date in accordance with CD 784: Victim Engagement.
  6. The Parole Officer will document in a Casework Record, on or about the offender’s sentence expiry date, a summary of the offender’s performance during the supervision period.

Death of an Offender

  1. Following the confirmed death of an offender under community supervision, including offenders subject to a long-term supervision order, the Parole Officer or Parole Officer Supervisor will, as soon as possible:
    1. inform the Area Director
    2. notify the offender’s emergency contact or next of kin, if applicable
    3. after the emergency contact or next of kin has been notified, inform the regional Victim Services Unit, normally within five days following the death, in accordance with CD 784: Victim Engagement
    4. complete an incident report in OMS
    5. obtain an official document confirming the offender’s death (preferably a death certificate or any other document deemed sufficient by Sentence Management) to complete the offender’s record, and
    6. notify the assigned Sentence Management Officer of the death and provide a copy of official documents.

Enquiries

  1. Strategic Policy Division
    National Headquarters
    Email: NHQ.Policy-Politiques.AC@csc-scc.gc.ca

    Commissioner,
    Talal Dakalbab

Annex A: Cross-References and Definitions

Cross-References

Definitions

Case conference
A formal meeting, consultation or discussion about an offender between two or more individuals. Case conferences during community supervision involve at least the person supervising the offender and the Parole Officer Supervisor or the CCC Manager.
Close personal relationship
Families can include relations not defined by blood or legal bonds, as well as such strong friendships and communities where unrelated persons serve as chosen or community families. These relationships may be particularly important for Indigenous persons, newcomers to Canada, or members of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex or additional sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) communities.

A close personal relationship between two individuals can be characterized by situations in which:

  1. both individuals shared a close familial bond (includes extended family members)
  2. one of the individuals contributed significantly to the moral or spiritual development of the other
  3. both individuals were engaged in a long-term living arrangement or partnership
  4. both individuals shared significant life experiences that resulted in an enduring bond of friendship and trust
  5. for Indigenous offenders, extended family members may include family relations that exist by birth, as well as significant others who are not related by birth, but are given the title of grandparent, parent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or other relative.
Collateral contact
Any person with whom the offender interacts occasionally or on a regular basis and who is required to have contact with the offender as part of their supervision. They can be individuals in the offender’s immediate environment or other individuals who take part in their reintegration, including CSC’s employees, CSC external partners as well as organizations.
Community Assessment and Parole Supervision (CAPS) contractor
Independent agencies or individuals under contract with CSC to provide case management services in the community when determined to be required to meet our legislative obligations.
Community-based residential facility (CBRF)
A designated facility that provides accommodation to offenders on parole, statutory release or temporary absence, or those subject to long-term supervision orders. This includes Community Correctional Centres, community residential facilities, hostels, treatment centres, private homes and other facilities designated as CBRFs.
Community Correctional Centre (CCC)
A federally operated CBRF that provides a structured living environment with 24-hour supervision, programs and interventions for the purpose of safely reintegrating offenders into the community. These facilities, which may also have an enhanced programming component, accommodate offenders under federal jurisdiction who have been released to the community on unescorted temporary absences, day parole, full parole, work releases, statutory release, as well as those subject to long-term supervision orders.
Community Correctional Intervention Committee (CCIC)
A multidisciplinary team that approves or directs interventions and contributes to recommendations or decisions in complex cases requiring an increased level of interventions. The Interdisciplinary Mental Health Team is part of the Correctional Intervention Committee.
Community residential facility
A CBRF operated by a non-governmental agency or a provincial entity that provides a structured living environment with 24 hour supervision, programs and interventions for the purpose of safely reintegrating offenders into the community.
Community Safety Alert System
A combination of personal portable alarm equipment and smartphone application software, and web-based monitoring applications, designed to maintain safety of staff in the community (outside of the office) by electronically registering information about appointments, meeting locations and other notes regarding offenders and community contacts they are meeting with.
Community supervision contact
Any supervision contact with the offender in the community.
Day parole to an other location
A location that provides accommodation to an offender on day parole, other than a penitentiary, CBRF or provincial or territorial correctional facility, as set out in subsection 99(1) of the CCRA. An other location may include a private home or private facility that has not been designated as a CBRF.
Emergency contact
The person identified by an offender who will be contacted by CSC representatives in the event of an emergency or death. If the offender did not identify an emergency contact, then a next of kin will be contacted.
Family Violence Risk Assessment
Evaluates the level of risk an offender presents to their partner.
Gender diverse
An umbrella term for gender identities or gender expressions that differ from dominant cultural or societal expectations based on sex assigned at birth, which encompasses all gender identities (for example, non-binary, transgender, two-spirited, etc.).

Other common terms associated with the term gender diverse are gender variant and gender non conforming. Someone who is gender diverse may or may not also identify as transgender.

Gender expression
The way gender is presented and communicated to the world through clothing, speech, body language, hairstyle, voice, and the emphasis or de-emphasis of body characteristics and behaviours.
Gender identity
A person’s internal and individual experience of gender.

Gender identity is not necessarily visible to others and it may or may not align with what society expects based on assigned sex. A person’s relationship to their own gender is not always fixed and can change over time.

Indigenous
An inclusive term referring to the descendants of the original inhabitants of Canada – First Nations, Métis, and Inuit – three separate peoples with unique heritages, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. The term can be used to reference any one of the three groups.
Individualized protocol
Refers to the Immediate Needs Indicators – Gender Accommodations screen in OMS. The individualized protocol is used to record an offender’s preferences related to their gender identity, by capturing important information such as an offender’s chosen name(s), chosen pronoun(s), institution type preference (men’s or women’s), and the gender of staff (man or woman) who will complete security operational procedures.
Irreversible
Impossible to change or to return to a previous condition.
Long-term supervision order
An order imposed by the court as a sentencing option to an offender designated as a “dangerous offender” pursuant to section 753 of the Criminal Code or as a “long-term offender” pursuant to section 753.1 of the Criminal Code. The offender who has received such an order is supervised in accordance with the CCRA. The long-term supervision order commences when the offender has finished serving all sentences for offences for which they have been convicted. The period of supervision to which the offender is subject at any time must not total more than 10 years.
Next of kin
Relative identified on the offender’s contact list.
Non-personal information
Information that may be sent to an offender through text message or email, if consent in writing was obtained from the offender:
  1. to arrange an in-person or telephone meeting with the offender or collateral contacts
  2. to confirm a meeting with the offender or collateral contacts
  3. to notify parties that you will be late or have to reschedule or cancel a meeting
  4. to provide the address of a meeting, and
  5. to provide a phone number, address or other type of non-personal information that the offender needs.
Parole reduced status
Applies to an offender who has had the majority of standard conditions removed by PBC. Offenders who have been granted parole reduced status are only subject to three standard conditions, namely paragraphs 161(1)(a) and (c) and subparagraph 161(1)(g)(i) of the CCRR, which require them, on release, to travel directly to their place of residence and report to their parole supervisor as instructed, obey the law and keep the peace, as well as notify the parole supervisor of any change in their address of residence.
Private home placement
A type of CBRF which provides offenders with accommodation, support, and assistance in a home environment. Specialized needs and placement in diverse geographic areas can be accommodated through private home placements.
Spousal Assault Risk Assessment
A structured professional judgement tool used to assess risk for intimate partner violence.
Staff Safety Assessment
A tool designed to enhance and promote consideration of several variables in determining whether or not staff safety issues are present and whether these issues require alternative supervision strategies or tandem supervision.
Tandem supervision
The requirement to conduct community supervision visits with a second authorized individual.
Territorial boundaries
Defined geographical boundaries (either by a radius in kilometres or by city limits) within the parole office’s jurisdictional boundaries that define their area of supervision, within which the supervised offender must remain.
Treatment centre
A CBRF which provides a structured living environment with 24-hour on-site supervision, programming, support systems and monitoring for safe reintegration back into the community. The main objective of treatment centres is to address the identified treatment needs (such as addictions, mental health) of the offender under their care.

Annex B

Staff Safety Assessment

Reason for Safety Assessment:
☐ Initial   ☐ Reassessment   ☐ Reassignment

Offender: ______________________________________________________________________________

Parole Officer: ________________________________________________________________________

Offender and Environmental Factors

# Question Response
1
 		 Does the offender have a criminal history involving any sexual offence and/or death and is the offender assessed as high risk (level of intervention based on static factors and dynamic factors) at intake? Y/N
2
 		 Does the offender have a criminal history involving any sexual offence and/or death and is the offender assessed as high risk (level of intervention based on static factors and dynamic factors) on release? Y/N
3
 		 Does the offender have a criminal history involving any sexual offence and/or death and is the offender classified as maximum security on release (offender security level)? Y/N
4 Does the offender have a history of violence? Y/N
5 Does the offender have a history of weapons use? Y/N
6 Does the offender have a history of predatory behaviour? Y/N
7 Is there a link between intoxicants and violent behaviour? Y/N
8 Has the offender ever expressed/demonstrated hostility or assaulted staff? Y/N
9 Is there instability in the offender’s intimate relationships? Y/N
10 Does the offender have mental health issues? Y/N
11 Does the offender have past or present links to a security threat group? Y/N
12 Does the assigned Parole Officer or any member of the Case Management Team meet the profile of the offender’s victim(s)? Y/N
13 Is the offender residing in a remote location? Y/N
14 Is there absence of police in the area? Y/N
15 Is the offender’s criminal history in this location? Y/N
16 Is there proximity to criminal/security threat group activity? Y/N
17 Are there any uncooperative/hostile collaterals? Y/N
18 Is there restricted access to outside intervention? Y/N
19 Is there restricted cell phone coverage? Y/N
20 Other Y/N

Overall Assessment of Factors (in relation to their impact on staff safety)

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Tandem supervision Recommended Y/N

Rationale for Recommendation

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Community Visit Strategy

(interview location, police notification, emergency protocols, tandem supervision, etc.)
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Dissenting Opinion Y/N

Parole Officer: ___________________________________

Parole Officer Supervisor/CCC Manager: ___________________________________

Case Conference Date: ________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Application/Removal (if applicable)

Area Director Final Decision:
☐ Approved      ☐ Not Approved

Rationale for Decision

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Area Director: ______________________________________

Date: ________________________________-________________

Annex C

Rating Reassessment Framework

Level of Intervention Based on Static Factors

  1. A review of static factors (that is based on historical information related to risk that is available at the time of the offender’s admission to federal custody, such as rating on the Statistical Information on Recidivism Scale, criminal history record, offence severity record, sex offence history, detention criteria) produces a reliable estimate of the probability and severity of re-offending. This estimate, originally determined at intake, appears as a rating of level of intervention based on static factors. The rating is normally accurate throughout the offender’s period of incarceration and for the first six months of supervision on conditional release, at which time dynamic factors related to performance on release become increasingly dominant.
  2. The predictive accuracy of this rating can be improved in some cases by reviewing the following factors:
    1. time since the offender’s release
    2. existence of collateral contacts that could assist in the supervision
    3. significant disciplinary problems, suspensions or police intervention in the last year, and
    4. offender's progress and motivation to participate in their Correctional Plan.
  3. Only a significant and sustained change in the offender’s performance or situation justifies an increase or a decrease in the level of intervention based on static factors. Guidelines for adjusting the level are as follows:
    1. Low
      • If the previous rating was “Low” and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was “Medium” and there have been significant and sustained improvements in the above factors.
    2. Medium
      • If the previous rating was “Medium” and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was “High” and there have been significant and sustained improvements in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was “Low” and there has been significant and sustained deterioration in the above factors.
    3. High
      • If the previous rating was “High” and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was “Medium” and there has been significant deterioration in the above factors.

Level of Intervention Based on Dynamic Factors

  1. Reassessing the level of intervention based on dynamic factors begins with the reassessment of each of the dynamic factors, by examining each of the following areas:
    1. progress related to the Correctional Plan, and
    2. anything else that may affect the intensity of the dynamic factor (for example, changes in personal situation, health, etc.).
  2. The rating for each dynamic factor may be as follows:
    • Asset – factor seen as an asset to community adjustment
    • None – no immediate need for improvement
    • Low – low need for improvement
    • Medium – medium need for improvement
    • High – high need for improvement.
  3. Reassessment of the overall rating can then be conducted by examining the number and seriousness of the dynamic factors.
  4. The overall rating should only change if there are some changes in the reassessment of the dynamic factors. Although professional judgment should always apply, the overall rating may be as follows:
    1. Low
      • No identified dynamic factors (for example, factors seen as an asset to community adjustment or no immediate need for improvement).
      • No more than three factors are rated as low or no more than three factors are rated as low or medium (with only one rated as medium).
    2. Medium
      • Any combination of dynamic factor number and needs level that lies outside of either the low or high scoring guidelines.
    3. High
      • At least two factors are rated as high.
      • At least four factors are rated as high or medium.
  5. During the reassessment process, it is possible to identify new dynamic factors for which intervention may improve the chances for the offender's eventual reintegration.

Accountability

  1. Accountability is the level of involvement of the offender in their Correctional Plan in relation to the obligation to modify behaviours identified as being problematic. Attitude, behaviour, and insight are critical components to offender accountability.
  2. The following criteria are used to assess an offender’s level of accountability:
    1. level of acceptance of responsibility for their criminal behaviour
    2. level of remorse and victim empathy
    3. institutional adjustment and behaviour under community supervision
    4. conduct that demonstrates respect for other persons and property
    5. communication to their Parole Officer of their willingness to engage in their Correctional Plan
    6. active participation in setting and achieving the objectives of their Correctional Plan
    7. understanding of their offence cycle
    8. understanding and commitment to their relapse prevention, and
    9. meeting of court-ordered obligations.

Overall Level of Accountability

  1. The guidelines for establishing the overall level of accountability are as follows:
    1. Low – Offender rejects responsibility for their actions and fails to recognize their problems. Does not disclose emotional states, displays guilt or victim empathy with evidence indicating a high level of denial and cognitive distortions.
    2. Medium – Offender may not fully accept responsibility for their actions but recognizes some of their problems. Displays some guilt and victim empathy with some evidence of denial and cognitive distortions.
    3. High – Offender accepts responsibility for their actions and recognizes their problems. Willing to self-disclose, displays guilt and victim empathy with evidence indicating a low level of cognitive distortions.

Level of Motivation

  1. The criteria for reassessing motivation are:
    1. recognition that a problem exists with lifestyle, behaviour and resulting consequences
    2. level of comfort with problem and its impact on the offender’s life
    3. level of feeling of personal responsibility for the problem(s)
    4. willingness to change, such as expression of wish to change or of intention to fully participate in Correctional Plan
    5. possession of skills and knowledge required to effect change in behaviour
    6. level of external support from family, friends or other community members, and
    7. past history related to demonstrated change.
  2. The level of motivation can be assessed as follows:
    1. Low
      • Offender strongly rejects the need for change or is unwilling to participate in recommended programs or other interventions.
    2. Medium
      • Offender may not fully accept overall assessment but will participate in recommended programs or other interventions.
    3. High
      • Offender is self-motivated and will actively address problem areas.

Responsivity

  1. Responsivity is the presence of a characteristic(s) that influences the offender’s capacity to benefit from the targeted intervention(s).
  2. Responsivity indicators are identified as "Yes", "No" or "Unknown".
  3. The following factors are used to assess an offender’s responsivity:
    1. language barriers interfere with learning, work or intervention
    2. basic reading or writing skills are problematic
    3. concentration problems are evident
    4. is introverted or shy
    5. displays chronic anti-sociality
    6. may have a learning disability
    7. has a low self-esteem
    8. is intellectually disabled
    9. may have other issues that would interfere with programming
    10. suicide attempts or self-injury history
    11. grief or loss
    12. has unique cultural communication style
    13. expresses interest in strengthening culture, or
    14. any other factor.
  4. Overall responsivity is identified as "Yes" or "No".

Engagement

  1. Engagement is the demonstrated willingness of an offender to:
    1. actively participate in their assigned Correctional Plan
    2. be free of criminal and gang activity while under sentence
    3. display conduct that demonstrates respect, and
    4. obey the penitentiary rules or supervision requirements.
  2. Determine the offender’s engagement in their Correctional Plan. In order to be considered engaged, the offender must obtain a rating of either moderate or high in both accountability and motivation.
  3. Engagement is identified as "Yes" or "No".

Reintegration Potential

  1. The reassessment of the reintegration potential is based on the analysis of the offender's progress and the following elements:
    1. score on the Statistical Information on Recidivism Scale
    2. level of intervention, based on static factors
    3. level of intervention, based on dynamic factors
    4. level of motivation, and
    5. release history (number, type, success or failure).
  2. The reintegration potential should only change if the above have changed, and should be rated as:
    1. Low
      • If the previous rating was “Low” and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was “Medium” and there has been significant deterioration in the above factors.
    2. Medium
      • If the previous rating was “Medium” and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was “High” and there has been significant deterioration in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was “Low” and there have been significant improvements in the above factors.
    3. High
      • If the previous rating was “High” and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was “Medium” and there have been significant improvements in the above factors.

``

Annex D

Exchange of Information Agreement Between CSC and Passport Canada

  1. Under the terms of the Canadian Passport Order, Passport Canada can withhold passports from Canadian citizens who are subject to a term of imprisonment or forbidden to leave Canada or the territorial jurisdiction of a Canadian court by conditions imposed with respect to any temporary absence, work release, parole, statutory release or other similar regime of absence or release from a penitentiary or prison or any other place of confinement granted under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the Prison and Reformatories Act or any law made in Canada that contains similar release provisions to subparagraph 9(1)(d)(i) of the Order.
  2. Passport Canada will consider issuing a passport to an offender only following a PBC decision allowing the offender to travel internationally. As part of the documentation submitted to Passport Canada, the applicant is required to submit the PBC Decision Sheet. There is no supporting documentation required from the supervising Parole Officer, as it is the applicant's responsibility to provide Passport Canada with all required documentation.
  3. In the event that Passport Canada requires confirmation or clarification of information submitted by the applicant, contact will be made with a Passport Canada CSC liaison person at National Headquarters. If necessary, further follow-up with the supervising Parole Officer will be initiated by the CSC liaison person.
  4. If Passport Canada approves the issuance of a passport, a limited validity passport will be issued for the period of time that the offender is permitted to travel by PBC, or for the minimum duration required to meet entry/exit requirements of the country of travel.
  5. Where a limited validity passport is issued, the offender will sign an agreement with Passport Canada to return the passport to Passport Canada's Security Bureau upon return to Canada. The limited validity passport will be cancelled upon receipt by Passport Canada. A new passport will be required for each occasion that PBC allows the offender to travel internationally.
  6. Given that limited validity passports will be issued for offenders approved for international travel, it remains important that submissions to PBC for this purpose specify as accurately as possible the duration of the offender's anticipated travel.
  7. In cases where travel is approved by PBC for emergency or compassionate reasons, Passport Canada can issue passports within a short timeframe on a case-by-case basis.
  8. Unless Passport Canada is advised that the condition requiring an offender to remain at all times in Canada has been relieved by PBC, a passport will be denied or a valid passport will be revoked.
  9. Information from Passport Canada pertaining to a decision rendered is electronically communicated to CSC.
  10. The decision is in turn forwarded to the offender’s current institutional or community Parole Officer via email. The notification includes the offender’s name, FPS, date of decision and description. The description notes the decision rendered by Passport Canada (such as revoked, maintained, refused or issued).
  11. Upon receipt of a decision by Passport Canada, the Parole Officer will be required to do the following:
    1. print the decision
    2. discuss the decision and any implications on the offender’s risk management with their supervisor
    3. discuss this information and Passport Canada’s decision with the offender
    4. complete a Casework Record under "Case Conference", and
    5. place the printed decision notification on the offender’s Case Management file.
  12. Every six months, Parole Officers will receive a report via email that will contain a list of all previous passport application decisions rendered with regard to offenders on their caseload.
  13. A Parole Officer will not receive such a report where they do not have any offenders on their current caseload who have had a decision rendered on a passport application since the implementation of this initiative.
  14. The foregoing does not apply to offenders with parole reduced status.
  15. Offenders who have been granted parole reduced status are only subject to three standard conditions, namely paragraphs 161(1)(a) and (c) and subparagraph 161(1)(g)(i) of the CCRR, which require the offender, on release, to travel directly to their place of residence and report to their parole supervisor as instructed, to obey the law and keep the peace, as well as to advise their parole supervisor of any change in their address of residence. As such, the offender is not subject to paragraph 161(1)(b) of the CCRR and therefore refusal or revocation of passport services would not be undertaken with reference to subparagraph 9(1)(d)(i) of the Canadian Passport Order.

``

Annex E

Correctional Plan Update – Community Progress – Report Guide

The main purpose of the Correctional Plan Update is to report on the offender’s progress in meeting their Correctional Plan objectives. When a Correctional Plan Update is prepared because release is being considered, the report includes the offender’s proposed release plan and provides sufficient information to support a request for a Community Strategy.

When an Assessment for Decision is prepared, the Correctional Plan Update becomes a key document that both supports the assessment and recommendation as well as decision making.

The report contains the following sections:

Section 1: Objectives/Expected Gains

Case Status

Provide a brief synopsis of the case, including:

If a referral is being made for cancellation, revocation or a change in conditions, or recommending a lay of information for an offender subject to a long-term supervision order:

Ratings Reassessment and Correctional Plan Progress

Using the Rating Reassessment Framework (Annex C), update the relevant ratings and highlight any changes that have occurred from the beginning of the sentence. Specify what changes, if any, have occurred concerning the Correctional Plan objectives, including court-ordered obligations, obtaining missing pieces of identification, commenting on the impact of programs and interventions, updated mental health information and relevant security information.

Offence Cycle

Update, if required, the offence cycle, and comment on any changes regarding the offender’s understanding of the cycle.

Correctional and Sentence Planning

In consultation with the offender and other members of the Case Management Team:

Section 2: Analysis of Current Request

If a new Community Strategy is required, summarize the offender’s release plan, including the following:

Annex F

Tandem Supervision Reference Document

When tandem supervision is Required

Tandem supervision is a requirement in cases where staff safety may be at risk based on overall assessment of factors such as, but not limited to, criminal history, history of violence, mental health issues, past or present links to a security threat group, demonstrated hostility or assaults towards staff.

Who can be a tandem supervision Partner

Roles and Responsibilities of the tandem supervision Partner

Emergency Contact Information (to be filled out by the local office)

Police: _________________________________________________________________

National Monitoring Centre: _________________________________________________

Parole Officer Supervisor or CCC Manager: _______________________________________

Area Director: _____________________________________________________________

Other: ___________________________________________________________________

For further information and safety tips, please refer to the Community Staff Safety Tool.

Page details

2026-05-04