National list of offender personal property tool
The purpose of this tool is to provide guidance to staff and offenders on the National List of Offender Personal Property and to identify items permitted for use in cells/rooms. This applies to all staff responsible for managing personal property at institutions, including Community Correctional Centres.
Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 566-12 - Personal Property of Offenders establishes procedures for the authorization, possession, control and protection of offenders’ personal property.
As noted in CD 566-12 , offenders will be allowed to retain items that are consistent with the National List of Offender Personal Property. Restrictions will be based on concerns related to the health and safety of the persons or the security of the institution, as well as the National Fire Code of Canada restrictions pursuant to CD 345- Fire Safety and the Fire Safety Manual, as determined by the Institutional Head. All authorized personal effects are permitted at Community Correctional Centres.
Tool
Number: 566-12
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The chart below indicates the total number of items permitted, including those issued/supplied by the Correctional Service of Canada for cell/room use and those in storage.
| Jewellery | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The total value of all jewellery must not exceed $600. This is in addition to the $2,000 limit. Jewellery items with sharp edges, points, or tips are not permitted. | ||||
| Security Level - Institution or Unit |
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| Item | Description | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| Bracelet | Maximum width of 6 mm | √ | √ | √ |
| Earings | Small loops (maximum diameter of 14 mm) or studs | √ | √ | √ |
| Necklace | Maximum width of 6 mm, no heavy pendants, maximum size of pendant is 40 mm | √ | √ | √ |
| Ring | Wedding band/low-relief or plain ring | √ | √ | √ |
| Watch | Analog only, maximum diameter of 45 mm and thickness of 10 mm | √ | √ | √ |
| Clothing and Accessories | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing that is camouflage or contains graphics depicting security threat groups (gangs), criminal organizations, violence, drugs and/or sexuality is not permitted. Hoods and inside/hidden pockets are not allowed on any clothing items. Sheer-type material is not permitted. In women’s institutions, inmates are permitted a maximum combined total of 35 dresses, tops and bottoms and a total of 8 pairs of shoes. In men’s institutions, inmates are provided with a number of institutionally issued clothing items. |
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| Security Level - Institution or Unit |
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| Item | Description | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| Sweatshirt | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| T-shirt/tank top | 12 | 12 | 12 | |
| Sweater | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Ribbon shirt | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Golf shirt | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Turtleneck | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Blazer/dress jacket | To be kept with stored items for special occasions (e.g., legal hearings, funerals), as permitted by the Institutional Head | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Coat | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Shirt/blouse | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Jeans or casual pants | No cargo-style pants | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Sweatpants | No cargo-style or tearaways | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Shorts | No cargo-style | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Skirt | Knee or full length | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dress | Knee or full length | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Bathrobe | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Pyjamas | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Belt/suspenders | Maximum buckle size of 2 in. x 2 in. Decorative/oversized buckles are not permitted | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Scarf | No | 1 | 1 | |
| Winter gloves or mittens | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Toque | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Ball cap | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Bandanna, do-rag and/or bonnet | Not related to a security threat group (combined total) | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Underwear | 20 | 20 | 20 | |
| Bras | In maximum security, no metal underwire | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Socks | 20 pairs | 20 pairs | 20 pairs | |
| Boots | No steel toe, steel inserts or hollow heels | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Running shoes | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Shoes | Not runners and no steel toe, steel inserts or hollow heels | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sandals | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Slippers | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Sunglasses | No mirrored or polarized lenses, not to be worn indoors | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Musical Instruments (only one instrument is permitted) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Items are not permitted to have USB, Bluetooth, or wireless capabilities. *In maximum security institutions/units, authorization of string and wind instruments is at the Institutional Head's discretion. |
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| Security Level - Institution or Unit |
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| Item | Description | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| String instrument | No steel strings (nylon only) | * | 1 | 1 |
| Wind instrument | * | 1 | 1 | |
| Keyboard | Maximum of 1 metre in length and no amplifier | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Instrument accessories | Only if the inmate has an approved instrument | √ | √ | √ |
| Sports Equipment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Level - Institution or Unit |
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| Item | Description | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| Racquet | Tennis, squash, badminton, racquet ball, or ping pong |
No | 2 (total) | 2 (total) |
| Weight belt | No | 1 | 1 | |
| Set of lifting straps | No | 1 | 1 | |
| Weight gloves | No | 1 pair | 1 pair | |
| Wrist supports/wraps | 1 pair | 1 pair | 1 pair | |
| Baseball glove | No | 1 | 1 | |
| Bag gloves | No metal inserts and no fingerless gloves |
No | 1 | 1 |
| Handball gloves | No | 1 pair | 1 pair | |
| Batting gloves | No | 1 pair | 1 pair | |
| Cleats | No metal, toe guard, or detachable spikes |
No | 1 pair | 1 pair |
| Jump rope | No weighted handles, no longer than 8 feet, no storage compartments permitted |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sweat headband | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Aerobic stepper | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Athletic support | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Mouth guard | Fitness | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Related Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Not permitted:
Video game systems which have certain wireless capabilities and that have been approved are outlined below. *Note: Only one type of video game system is permitted for cell use. |
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| Security Level - Institution or Unit |
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| Item | Description | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| Batteries | Rechargeable batteries and one charger | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Desk fan | Maximum diameter of 12 in., all plastic only, no tower fan, no external charging ports such as USB |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Power bar | Maximum of 4 outlets, with surge protector, no external charging ports such as USB |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Reading lamp | Non-halogen, maximum of 60 W, CSA approved, no goose necked or weighted base, no external charging ports such as USB |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Light bulb | Non-halogen/fluorescent/ compact fluorescent, maximum of 60 W | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Calculator | Handheld with no communication capability | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Headphones | No wireless, maximum cable length of 10 feet, no microphone | 2 pairs | 2 pairs | 2 pairs |
| Headphone extension | Maximum of 10 feet long (in combination with the headphone cord) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Clock radio/alarm | No external charging ports such as USB | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Portable radio/CD player | No recording function, no external charging ports such as USB | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Stereo | No recording function, no external charging ports such as USB | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Portable radio/cassette player | One-piece stereo system - 100 W RMS or 50 W PMP No condenser microphones, shortwave capability, loud hailer capacity, recording capacity, detachable speakers, external charging ports such as USB permitted | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Audio cassette, audio CD and/or CD-ROM disk |
No CD-RW, CD-R-Write, MP3 Players, iPods, DVD or burned CDs permitted (with the exception of digital media of a known origin, including CDs from the National Catalogue or containing material that the inmate is reasonably required to review in preparation for a legal matter). Unlicensed or pirated copies are not permitted (CD 764 – Access to Expressive Material) (internal resource) |
40 (total) | 40 (total) | 40 (total) |
| CD cleaner | Dry cloth type only | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| CD/cassette tape holder | Maximum capacity of 40 CDs or cassettes | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Television with remote control | Maximum of 24 in., with headphone jack | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Television converter | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Video game system* | Game Boy, Game Boy Advance SP, PlayStation 1, Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Wii Mini, or any other game computer (console or handheld) that does not have data or other communication capability |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Video game cartridge/disk | In accordance with CD 764 – Access to Expressive Material (internal resource) | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Preloaded video game system*
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Must comply with the following requirements:
|
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Computer floppy diskette | 20 | 20 | 20 | |
| Coaxial cable | Maximum length of 10 feet | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Personal Care and Heath Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Level - Institution or Unit |
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| Item | Description | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| Comb | Long, thin handle and pointed end not permitted | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Disposable razor | At men’s maximum security institutions/units, limit of one razor issued in accordance with the razor protocol (Annex C of CD 566-12) | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Electric razor | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Nail clipper | No attached metal file | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Nail file | Emery board | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cuticle pusher | Plastic, maximum length of 6 in. | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Hair brush | Long, thin handle and pointed end not permitted | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Velcro curlers/curler accessories |
Hollow, maximum diameter of 2 in. | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Set of electric hair curlers | 12 individual curlers, maximum diameter of 1.5 in. | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Hair ties | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
| Headband | Elastic fabric material only, no plastic | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Hair cutting kit | Scissors are not permitted | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Beard/moustache/ nose hair trimmer |
1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Tweezers | Maximum length of 4 in. | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Toiletry bag | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Make-up bag | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Joint support | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Miscellaneous Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Level - Institution or Unit |
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| Item | Description | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| Food storage container | Maximum of 500 ml, plastic and microwavable | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Mug | Maximum of 16 ounces, plastic with no removable liner | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Water bottle | Maximum of 16 ounces, clear plastic with no removable liner | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Foot locker | As permitted by the institution – available with or without handles from CORCAN | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Combination lock | Type to be approved by the Institutional Head Approved for in-cell use only if the inmate is in shared accommodation (if the inmate is not in shared accommodation, this item should be with stored effects) Inmates are required to open the combination lock when asked to do so by staff. |
No | 1 | 1 |
| Scissors | Blunt ends only and maximum of 6 in. long | No | 1 | 1 |
| Stapler | Manual | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Typewriter | Electric or manual | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Assorted games, puzzles and board games |
Not electric | √ | √ | √ |
| Assorted books and magazines |
In accordance with CD 345 - Fire Safety (internal resource) | √ | √ | √ |
| Wallet | No | 1 | 1 | |
| Picture frame for tack board or desk top |
No glass | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Photo album with pictures |
Plastic only (no metal coils) | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Photographs | No Polaroids | √ | √ | √ |
| Prayer mat/rug | Maximum size of 52 in. x 34 in. or as provided by the local community faith leader and in accordance with CD 345 - Fire Safety (internal resource). The mat is not to be suspended on walls or windows as a drape or decoration, nor used as a general floor covering. It will be stored when not in use for religious activity. | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Items to be Approved at Institutional Head’s Discretion | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Level - Institution or Unit |
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| Item | Description | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| Hosiery | Regular or knee-high, opaque or sheer | No | 10 | 10 |
| Cuticle scissors | Blunt ends | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Hair clips, barrettes, and bobby pins |
Total, combined | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Hair dryer/blower | Handheld, 2,000 W maximum | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Electric curling iron or flat iron |
Must have an auto shut-off feature Curling iron - maximum barrel diameter of 1 in. Flat iron - maximum heating plate width of 2 in. |
1 | 1 | 1 |
| Wigs | √ | √ | √ | |
| Hair extensions | √ | √ | √ | |
| Oral irrigation appliance | No | 1 | 1 | |
| Toothbrush (electric) | Maximum of 4 replacement heads | No | 1 | 1 |
| Geometry set | No | 1 | 1 | |
| Clothes hangers | Plastic only | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Maternity/pregnancy- related items |
√ | √ | √ | |
| Bank card | Debit card (for participants in the Mother-Child Program only) | No | 1 | 1 |
| Gender prosthetic devices | Gaffs, hiding gaffs, binders | √ | √ | √ |
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