Interim Policy bulletin 642

CD 705-3 - Immediate Needs Identification and Admission Interviews
CD 705-6 - Correctional Planning and Criminal Profile
CD-710-6 - Review of Inmate Security Classification

To enhance public safety, new measures are being implemented for inmates meeting certain criteria that will further contribute to the prevention of escapes. As well, the process of reassessing risk has been strengthened for inmates who have escaped and offenders who have been readmitted to federal custody with one or more new convictions. The ensuing changes are effective immediately and will be reflected in the Commissioner’s Directives (CD) when they are updated.

The following changes have been made:

In addition to the current policy requirement of CD 705-6 to amend the Criminal Profile Report and the Revised Statistical Information on Recidivism Scale for offenders who are readmitted to federal custody with one or more new convictions or following an escape, the Custody Rating Scale and the Static Factors Assessment of the Offender Intake Assessment process, which includes the Criminal Risk Index, must be re-administered.

In cases where the Static Factor Assessment, including the Criminal Risk Index, does not exist, it must be completed prior to completion of the Security Classification Review of an inmate who is being considered for a transfer to minimum security. The inmate’s Correctional Plan also needs to be reviewed to determine if it remains appropriate or if a revised Correctional Plan is required.

A psychological risk assessment, completed within the past two years, is required in the case of any inmate supported by their case management team for a minimum security classification in the following instances:

1. the inmate has a dangerous offender designation; or
2. the inmate has been convicted of a sex-related offence (current sentence); or
3. the inmate meets the following three criteria:

• had an initial rating of maximum on the Custody Rating Scale; and
• is serving a sentence for an offence causing death or serious harm; and
• has three years or more before their day parole eligibility date.

The Manager, Assessment and Interventions at men’s sites and the Correctional Manager at women’s sites have a responsibility to review the Security Reclassification Scale (SRS) and the Security Reclassification Scale for Women (SRSW) to ensure the completeness of the scales and that those documents are locked in the Offender Management System (OMS).

The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Operations (ADCCO), following consultation with the Deputy Commissioner for Women (DCW) in the case of women inmates, is the final decision-maker for the reclassification to minimum security of any inmate who meets the following criteria:

1. The inmate has been convicted of a sex-related offence (current sentence); or
2. The inmate:

• had an initial rating of maximum on the Custody Rating Scale; and
• is serving a sentence for an offence causing death or serious harm; and
• has three years or more before their day parole eligibility date.

In accordance with CD 710-6, the Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs, and the DCW, will retain their respective authorities as the final decision- maker for the reclassification of a Dangerous Offender to minimum security.

The decision- maker will consider the overall level of security indicated by the SRS/SRSW, as well as the factors that were considered by the Parole Officer when recommending the final security classification, which are linked to section 17 of the CCRR such as, but not limited to:

• history of escape/unlawfully at large/breaches of trust;
• inmate risk level as indicated by the Criminal Risk Index and the Static Factor and Dynamic Factor rating;
• inmate’s reintegration potential and level of engagement in their Correctional Plan;
• time to be served prior to being eligible for release.

Currently the SRS and SRSW results provide:

• a score (e.g. 28)
• a computed security classification (e.g. max), and
• a +/- discretionary range.

CSC policy has not referred to the +/- discretionary range for many years; however, as the OMS functional specifications have not been adjusted, the SRS tool still shows the +/- discretionary range. To align OMS and the SRS/SRSW with policy, the OMS specifications will be adjusted to remove the discretionary range..

The Parole Officer/Primary Worker will still be able to recommend a final security classification that is different from the result of the SRS/SRSW in the Assessment for Decision, by applying clinical judgment and providing an assessment with a justification of the ratings under institutional adjustment, escape risk, and risk to public safety.

In doing so, the Parole Officer/Primary Worker must provide a clear and detailed justification in the Overall Assessment as to why they recommend a final security classification that is different from the result of the tool. The factors that may be considered when finalizing the recommendation may include, but are not limited to:

• history of escape/unlawfully at large/breaches of trust;
• inmate risk level as indicated by the Criminal Risk Index and the Static Factor and Dynamic Factor rating;
• inmate’s reintegration potential and level of engagement in their Correctional Plan;
• time to be served prior to being eligible for release.

Following the transfer of any inmate to a men’s minimum security institution or a CSC Healing Lodge, the Institutional Head/Executive Director or the Deputy Warden/Deputy Director will, within five working days, meet in person with the inmate. At women’s sites this meeting is only required following the reclassification of an inmate to minimum security and in all cases of transfers to the CSC women’s Healing Lodge.

The focus of this meeting will be on what is expected of the inmate during their placement at minimum security. This will be documented in a Casework Record titled “Initial Interview Institution” in OMS.

These policies were developed by the Correctional Operations and Programs Sector and the Policy Sector, in consultation with the Health Services Sector, the Indigenous Initiatives Directorate, and the Women Offender Sector.

These changes will impact staff members involved in completing any aspects of security classification and reclassification assessments, transfer assessments and documents, and health professionals involved in the completion of a psychological risk assessment.

Roles and responsibilities are detailed in the policy documents.

Commissioner,

Anne Kelly