Evaluation of the Engagement and Intervention Model: Summary

The Engagement and Intervention Model (EIM), is a risk-based model designed to assist Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff working in both security and health activities in responding to, and resolving institutional incidents, using the most reasonable interventions. To have and maintain safe operations of institutional environments, the EIM was introduced in January 2018, and replaces the previous institutional incident management model, the Situational Management Model (SMM), in its entirety.

The current evaluation focuses on two core evaluation objectives: 1) Relevancy of the EIM, such as its alignment with government priorities and consistency with federal roles and responsibilities; and 2) Effectiveness of the EIM, such as its relation to program outcomes. The current evaluation also focuses on the design and delivery of the EIM to examine the alignment of the EIM implementation with identified outcomes.

Key sources of information used to examine the relevancy, design and delivery, and effectiveness of the EIM included a review of internal and external documents and literature, data from the Human Resources Management System, interviews with 15 key informants, and online survey data from 237 staff members. Data from the Offender Management System (OMS) were also used to compare institutional incident and use of force indicators between incidents managed under the SMM and the EIM.

• Sample size/response rates were too small to conduct meaningful analyses and/or draw definitive conclusions in some instances.
• Inability to access Statement/Observation Reports (SORs) due to COVID-19 causing the prohibition to do site visits to collect data from SORs.

• There is evidence of a continued need for the EIM to prevent, respond to, and resolve situations within federal institutions that could potentially disrupt the safety and security of inmates or staff. The EIM is also aligned with the priorities, roles, and responsibilities of CSC and the federal government.
• While most CSC staff received EIM training prior to its implementation, there are still some training needs, particularly pertaining to refresher and scenario-based training for non-correctional staff. There is also a need to better equip all staff with the knowledge required to engage and intervene with inmates from diverse sub-populations.
• Although there are some overall positive trends in certain instances since the implementation of the EIM, the evaluation findings did not provide strong evidence that there has been a decrease in use of force during institutional incidents. The findings also suggest that particular attention needs to be paid to the more frequent use of force towards diverse sub-populations of inmates.
• There is evidence to suggest that the key activities that have been identified as issues under the SMM are being implemented under the EIM, however, there is still a need to have more involvement from Sector Coordinators and Health/Mental Health Professionals in the planning and application of intervention strategies. There is also a need for more teamwork and clarity in the roles and expectations of staff during an incident.
• While the model philosophy and de-escalation strategies seem to be applied by staff when responding to incidents, staff report difficulty in selecting appropriate response options and in their ability to get the help they need to safely manage incidents of mental and physical distress when dealing with inmates. Obstacles to the availability of non-correctional staff to manage incidents during off-peak hours also exist.
• Although quality improvement activities are occurring under the EIM, there are areas for improvement. The timely completion of use of force reviews at the institutional and regional levels, and the removal of resource and operational constraints on debrief sessions.

1. The Evaluation Division recommends that CSC reassess the EIM training, including refresher training, to ensure clear, well-defined, and effective: (a) scenario-based modules that incorporate the diverse sub-population of inmates (e.g., offenders with mental health needs); and (b) roles and responsibilities of all parties (e.g., the Sector Coordinator, as well as staff including non-correctional staff) during an incident.
2. The Evaluation Division recommends that CSC devise options to increase capacity to respond to incidents involving mental health and physical distress, particularly those occurring during evenings and weekends.
3. The Evaluation Division recommends that CSC review and revise, as necessary, Commissioner’s Directive 567 - Management of Incidents and 567-1 - Use of Force, in consultation with operational staff to ensure the proposed guidance, including prescribed timelines, are relevant in an operational environment.
4. The Evaluation Division recommends that CSC review the guidance on corrective actions to ensure it provides more appropriate direction on breaches of law and/or policy.
5. The Evaluation Division recommends that CSC develop a national protocol for reporting information found in Statement/Observation Reports in an accessible manner.