Interim Policy Bulletin 737
To facilitate reading in French, the masculine form is used without prejudice to gender, given the binary nature of the French language.
Policy number and title
Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 550: Inmate Accommodation
Why the policy was changed
The policy is amended following the passing of Bill C-83, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and another Act, and the introduction of Structured Intervention Units. The institutional capacity definitions are revised to enhance the accuracy of reporting on bed capacity and utilization in institutions.
Interim Policy Bulletin
Number: 737
In Effect: 2026-04-07
Furthermore, the double bunking threshold subject to the Commissioner’s approval is increased to support efforts to keep offenders within their home region and reduce the need for interregional transfers.
What changed
Paragraph 1 is revised as follows:
The Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services:
b. updates the institutional design capacities as required.
The use of “rated capacities” is replaced with “design capacities” to more accurately reflect the roles and responsibilities required for managing CSC’s physical infrastructure, as well as the criteria in the new definition. The policy no longer requires “rated capacity” and uses “design capacity” throughout.
Paragraph 2 is revised as follows:
The Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs, and the Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services, jointly submit a recommendation to the Commissioner for decision regarding a Regional Deputy Commissioner’s request for authority to use:
a. double-bunking in cells at or exceeding 40% of the region’s design capacity.
Paragraph 3 is revised as follows:
The Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs:
a. chairs the National Population Management Committee, through which operational use of cells or beds for specific populations will be examined and supported
b. maintains the National Bed Capacity and Utilization Report.
Paragraph 4 is revised as follows:
The Regional Deputy Commissioner:
b. submits for approval to the Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services, and the Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs:
i. proposed changes to the institutional design capacity
ii. any request and rationale to use double-bunking cells at or exceeding 20% of the region’s design capacity.
Paragraph 5 is revised as follows:
The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Operations:
b. reviews the National Bed Capacity and Utilization Report and ensures the Institutional Cell Information in the Offender Management System (OMS) is maintained.
Paragraph 6 is revised as follows:
The Institutional Head:
d. ensures that inmate movement and bed assignment are recorded on the same day or as soon as possible in OMS.
The previous use of “inmate placement” is replaced with “inmate bed assignment”.
Paragraph 23 is revised as follows :
The Commissioner approves any increase in double bunking that exceeds 40% of the overall regional design capacity.
The definition for design capacity is revised as follows:
Design capacity: the approved number of beds located in cells, bedrooms, or dormitories that support full-time accommodation in an institution or unit. Design capacity excludes double bunking, private family visit units, observation cells, and any health care cells that are not in psychiatric centres or regional hospitals. Design capacity may change as a result of the addition or removal of cells, bedrooms or dormitories resulting from renovation or permanent conversion of single occupancy accommodation cells to shared accommodation cells.
With the updated definition of design capacity, the definition of rated capacity is no longer required.
How it was developed
The Security Branch developed this Interim Policy Bulletin in collaboration with the Strategic Policy Division, as well as in consultation with the Technical Services and Facilities Branch.
Who is affected by the policy
These amendments impact staff who report on institutional capacity and bed utilization, excluding Community Correctional Centres.
Accountabilities
Roles and responsibilities are detailed in the policy document.
Contact
Strategic Policy Division
Email: NHQ.Policy-Politiques.AC@csc-scc.gc.ca
Commissioner,
Original signed by:
Talal Dakalbab