Guidelines 711-3: Transfer of Inmates out of a Structured Intervention Unit

Number: 711-3

In effect: 2025-06-09

• Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA), sections 4(c), 4(g), 15.1(2.1), 28, 29, 29.01, 31 to 37.5,
  37.6 to 37.9, 37.91, 78, 79.1, 80, 86, 86.1 and 87
• Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations (CCRR), sections 5(1), 6(c), 13.1, 16.1, 19 to 23.07 and 97

To identify responsibilities and establish processes that support the transfer of inmates out of a Structured Intervention Unit (SIU) as soon as possible

Applies to all Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) staff and contractors who have a responsibility related to the transfer of inmates out of an SIU

Contents

• Responsibilities
• Enquiries
• Annex A Cross-References and Definitions

Responsibilities

1. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Operations, will ensure procedures that support the transfer of inmates out of an SIU are followed in accordance with SIU Procedures Manuals.
2. The Institutional Head will:
   1. meet with the inmate, in person, prior to making a decision on whether the inmate should remain in an SIU, in accordance with subsection 37.3(3) of the CCRA, and document the interaction in the SIU application
   2. ensure their SIU decisions are documented, including the reason(s) for them, and shared with the inmate   
   3. designate the chairperson of the Structured Intervention Unit Review Committee (SIURC ) to a position not lower than the SIU Manager or the Manager, Intensive Intervention Strategy (IIS), at women’s institutions
   4. ensure the inmate is physically transferred out of the SIU, as soon as possible, following a decision by a CSC designated decision maker or an Independent External Decision Maker (IEDM) determination that an inmate should not remain in an SIU
   5. ensure the Structured Intervention Unit Case Conference (SIUCC) process is completed when an inmate remains in an SIU following a CSC decision or IEDM determination that the inmate should not remain in an SIU.
3. Deputy Wardens will collaborate, as needed, to identify reasonable alternatives, including institutional transfers, to end an inmate’s confinement in an SIU as soon as possible. 
4. The Assistant Warden, Interventions, will ensure:
   1. responses to transfer consultation requests are provided, as required
   2. the inmate’s Case Management Team continues to explore alternatives to the SIU, including when an inmate is temporarily out of the facility or the SIU, until the inmate’s transfer out of an SIU is effected
   3. all case management requirements relevant to the transfer of an inmate out of an SIU are completed and documented as required.
5. The SIURC Chairperson will ensure:
   1. in accordance with section 20 of the CCRR:
      1. the inmate is provided with written notice of their meeting with the SIURC , including the proposed recommendations and the reason(s) for the proposed recommendations
      2. the inmate is provided at least three (3) working days to make representations in relation to the proposed recommendations either in person or, if the inmate prefers, in writing
      3. the SIURC ’s written recommendation is provided to the designated decision authority, as identified in the SIU Procedures Manuals, including the inmate’s representations, if any, for consideration in making their determination
   2. SIURC procedures are completed and documented as required for the designated decision authority’s consideration in making their decision on whether an inmate should remain in an SIU.
6. The SIU Manager, the Manager, IIS, or the Manager, Assessment and Interventions, as applicable, will:
   1. ensure SIU transfer notifications and sharing procedures are completed, as required
   2. participate as a member of the SIURC
   3. lead SIUCCs and ensure they are documented
   4. ensure the inmate is provided with verbal and written notification of SIU decisions.
7. The SIU Correctional Manager or the Correctional Manager, IIS, will ensure the inmate is provided reasonable opportunity to retain and instruct legal counsel to assist them in making representations regarding their confinement in an SIU, in a private area outside of their cell, without delay.
8. At women’s institutions, the Parole Officer will complete SIU transfer casework as required.
9. At men’s institutions:
   1. the institutional Parole Officer who is assigned to the inmate at the time of the SIU Transfer Authorization will complete SIU transfer casework, pursuant to the SIU Procedures Manual
   2. the SIU Parole Officer will complete SIU transfer casework, pursuant to the SIU Procedures Manual.
10. The SIU Parole Officer, or the Parole Officer at women’s institutions, will:
    1. participate as a member of the SIURC and complete SIURC documentation
    2. complete SIU Correctional Plan Updates, as required
    3. complete SIUCC case management procedures and attend SIUCCs.
11. The Regional Transfer Coordinator will request and coordinate inter-regional transfer consultation comments and complete inter-regional transfer recommendations, pursuant to the SIU Procedures Manual.
12. The SIU Security Intelligence Officer, or the Security Intelligence Officer at women’s institutions, will:
    1. participate as a member of the SIURC
    2. attend SIUCCs, as applicable.  

Enquiries

13. Strategic Policy Division
    National Headquarters
    Email: Gen-NHQPolicy-Politi@CSC-SCC.gc.ca

Assistant Commissioner,
Correctional Operations and Programs

Jay Pyke

Annex A: Cross-references and definitions

Cross-references

• CD 001: Mission, Values and Ethics Framework of the Correctional Service of Canada
• CD 024: Management of Correctional Service of Canada Volunteers
• CD 081: Offender Complaints and Grievances
• CD 084: Inmates’ Access to Legal Assistance and the Police
• CD 100: Gender Diverse Offenders
• CD 228: Information Management
• CD 550: Inmate Accommodation
• CD 568-7: Incompatible Offenders
• CD 701: Information Sharing
• CD 702: Indigenous Offenders
• CD 705-6: Correctional Planning and Criminal Profile
• CD 705-7: Security Classification and Penitentiary Placement
• CD 706: Classification of Institutions
• CD 708: Special Handling Unit
• 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
• CD 711: Structured Intervention Units
• 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 711-4: 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 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.

Case Management Team: for the purpose of the SIU policy suite,the individuals involved in managing the case of an inmate who has been authorized for transfer to an SIU, which includes, as applicable, the Manager, Assessment and Interventions; the SIU Manager; the Manager, Intensive Intervention Strategy; the institutional Parole Officer; the SIU Parole Officer; a Security Intelligence Officer; the SIU Security Intelligence Officer; the Correctional Officer II; the Primary Worker; and the inmate.

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.

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.

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.

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

Structured Intervention Unit Case Conference: a case conference process to review the case of an inmate and assist in the implementation of a decision, as soon as possible, when an inmate remains in the SIU following a decision by a CSC designated decision maker or an IEDM that an inmate should not remain in an SIU, including a decision to not approve an inmate’s SIU transfer. 

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.

Without delay: “without delay” means immediately, unless there are compelling circumstances preventing immediate action and, in those circumstances, the delay cannot be more than 24 hours.

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.