Research at Correctional Service Canada
The Research Branch of the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) is a centralized research unit operating within the Policy Sector at National Headquarters.
On this page
- About CSC’s Research Branch
- Submitting a research proposal
- CSC’s Scientific Integrity Policy
- For more information
About CSC's Research Branch
CSC’s Research Branch is uniquely positioned to provide a relevant, operationally meaningful and targeted program of applied research. It is specific to the complex, and evolving Canadian federal correctional environment.
CSC Research Branch undertakes applied social science research in support of:
- correctional operations
- policy development
- management decision-making
- evidence-based practice
CSC’s research publications
CSC’s research publications help make direct links between research findings and what they mean for our:
- Federally sentenced Indigenous peoples
- correctional operations
- community corrections
- correctional programs and interventions
- health and mental health
- substance use
- offender profiles and forecasting
- Federally sentenced women
- special reports
- FORUM on corrections research
Publication types
Research at a glance (RAAG)
Provides an overview and highlights key findings of a Research Report or Brief.
Research review (RR)
Provides a summary of an area of research related to on-going research efforts and/or organizational priorities. For example, literature review; or summary of a given article. It doesn’t result in another form of publication. It allows the sharing of information that may not have otherwise been circulated.
Emerging research results (ERR)
Provides a summary of emerging findings from 1 or more related research reports underway. This allows advance distribution of research that will be of immediate importance to the organization, its staff, or federally incarcerated individuals.
Research in brief (RIB) (previously research snippets: RS)
Provides a summary of ad hoc (unplanned) research requests that will not otherwise appear in a Research Report or a Brief.
Research report (R)
A full text document detailing the:
- background
- methodology
- analysis
- results, and
- a discussion of findings for a given research project
Brief (B)
Similar to a Research Report in that it provides information on background, methodology, analysis and results, but is generally more focused and shorter in length.
Disclaimer: Research briefs are not available through the Government of Canada website. To obtain a PDF, please contact research@csc-scc.gc.ca
Submitting a research proposal
Interested in conducting research at CSC? Researchers affiliated with a university or other research body must submit a research application for review and approval. CSC supports and assists researchers in a number of ways, based on the type of research conducted and the project's scope.
The following documents will provide information relating to the conduct of research involving federally incarcerated individuals and/or CSC employees:
Please contact CSC's Research Branch for more information on the application and review process.
CSC’s Scientific Integrity Policy
The Scientific Integrity Policy (SIP) is a set of principles and guidelines that outline expectations to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards in conducting, managing, communicating and using scientific information. It is essential for maintaining the credibility and trustworthiness of science and provides a foundation for ethical research practices and responsible use of scientific knowledge.
CSC’s SIP applies to researchers, scientists, external contractors, collaborators and clients, visiting scientists and students, as well as any person who designs, conducts, communicates, manages, reviews or makes use of research or science related activities.
The purpose of the SIP is to:
- Foster a culture that supports and promotes scientific integrity in the design, conduct, management, review and communication of research, science and relates activities
- Increase public, employee, and stakeholder trust in the credibility and reliability of research and scientific activities.
- Set out expectations regarding the design, conduct, management, review and communication of research, science and related activities
- Enhance employee understanding of the contributions of research and science to evidence-informed decision-making
CSC’s Assistant Commissioner, Policy, is the Scientific Integrity Lead.
For more information
If you have questions about CSC Research, require full PDF reports or would like to receive notification of new research publications please contact us at: research@csc-scc.gc.ca.