Appearance before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU), Supplementary Estimates C, March 24, 2026

1. Financial Snapshot

Supplementary Estimates C

The 2025 to 2026 Supplementary Estimates (C) net total amount for the Correctional Service of Canada is $152.7M or 3.7% of authorities to date.

Voted Appropriations (New Spending Authorities)

The Correctional Service of Canada has received Treasury Board authority to increase its voted appropriations by $138.3M.

$138.3M in funding for operating requirements 2025 to 2026.

Statutory Appropriations

The Correctional Service of Canada Statutory funding related to the Employee Benefit Plan is $14.4M.

Funding for Operating Requirements 2025 to 2026

• The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has sought funding for 2025 to 2026 to sustain operations.
• Of the funding to be authorized through the 2025 to 2026 Supplementary Estimates “C”, $138.3M represents an increase in CSC’s voted operating authorities.
• This funding will be used to address CSC’s key operating pressures, due to increasing security risks, evolving offender profiles, aging infrastructure, and the need to adapt to emerging technologies and environmental challenges.
• The funding being sought through these Estimates will enable CSC to deliver on its public safety mandate and legislated requirements.

Main Estimates 2026 to 2027

Explanation of Significant Changes

The net increase of $138.0 million compared to Main Estimates 2025 to 2026 is primarily attributable to additional funding for:

• Collective agreements,
• Class action lawsuits, and
• Investments in correctional facilities.

These increases are partially offset by decreases resulting from the following:

• Expiry of temporary funding for workers' compensation benefits,
• Reductions due to Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER), and
• Reductions due to Refocusing Government Spending.

Main Estimates 2026 to 2027

Core responsibility: Care and Custody

Main Estimates

Main Estimates: Care and Custody

Core responsibility: Correctional Interventions

Main Estimates

Main Estimates: Correctional Interventions

Core responsibility: Community Supervision

Main Estimates

Main Estimates: Community Supervision

Core responsibility: Internal Services

Main Estimates

Main Estimates: Internal Services

2. Hot Issues Notes

2.1 Escapes

• The safety and security of CSC institutions is of paramount importance.
• While escapes are not frequent, we take them seriously and work to prevent them by routinely assessing every inmate to confirm that they are placed at the appropriate security level.
• The number of inmates who escaped federal institutions across the country represents about 0.1% of the total inmate population.
• CSC has also strengthened partnerships with law enforcement agencies to ensure the timely exchange of information to support the effective recapture of inmates.
• CSC reviews the circumstances of each escape, and when improvements to policies and procedures are identified, they are considered and implemented as needed.

If Pressed - Minimum Security

• Most escapes occur from minimum-security facilities.
• In recent years, CSC has strengthened its assessment for those seeking a transfer to a minimum institution.
• Only those offenders who are assessed as having a low risk to public safety, a low institutional adjustment rating, and a low escape risk are placed in such an institution.

If Pressed - Custer

• This inmate fled from lawful custody when being transported by staff from Saskatchewan Penitentiary on February 20, 2026.
• The offender was apprehended by the Prince Albert Police Service.
• CSC is conducting an internal investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding this incident, including all operational details leading up to and after his departure from the institution, including the time it took to notify the public. Until that review is complete, CSC will not speculate or provide further details.

Issue

The security measures in place at any institution reflect the degree of control required to maintain the good order of the institution and to protect staff, inmates and the public.

CSC takes the possibility of escapes seriously. There are a number of operational practices in place to prevent escapes, including the designation of restricted air space in areas where federal institutions are located. CSC also regularly explores innovative security tools to enhance its capacity to limit and prevent escapes. The exact measures and design features in use at a specific site cannot be disclosed for safety and security reasons.

Inmates who escaped federal institutions represent about 0.1% of the total inmate population. While the number of escapes fluctuates from year to year, efforts to promote active security, encourage positive interactions between employees and inmates, enhance risk evaluation quality and ensure effective case management practices have had a positive impact in reducing the number of escapes.

Procedures Following the Capture of an Inmate

Following the capture of an inmate who has escaped or who was unlawfully at large (UAL), the inmate will be detained at an institution at the appropriate security level in the region of the arrest. The region in which the inmate is recaptured/returned is responsible for determining the placement and security level. Readmission procedures may differ by region.

Offenders who escape can be criminally charged under Section 145 of the Criminal Code. Additionally, under the CCRA, offenders can be institutionally charged for actions taken for the purpose of escaping or in assisting another offender to escape. In addition to potential disciplinary charges, CSC will consider security reclassification for the offender.

Number of Escapes

2.2 Comprehensive Expenditure Review

• The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) remains committed to achieving savings while upholding public safety.
• The 2025 federal budget included a $132.2 million annual reduction for the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) by 2028 to 2029. The Comprehensive Expenditure Review exercise focused not only on savings but also on transforming how CSC operates.
• We are streamlining operations and services, modernizing practices, and ensuring resources align with core institutional needs, while maintaining high standards of safety and security. 
• In many cases, changes to the approach to is balanced by technological innovations to help us better respond to potential threats.
• We are confident that the changes will continue to ensure the safety and security of our institutions and communities.

If Pressed – Mobile Patrol

• With new technologies being introduced, CSC is committed to reviewing its deployment standards to ensure they reflect today's operational realities.
• While Mobile Patrol posts remain an important component of security, improvements in contraband detection strategies and technology will support the effective response to threats, using a layered approach to security.

If Pressed - Libraries

• As part of its efforts to increase online resources in our institutions, inmates now have greater access to information and learning opportunities than ever before.
• As a result, many sites across the country have already been operating with a modern library model without a dedicated librarian on site.
• Libraries will remain open and accessible to offenders.
• In January 2026, 18 librarians received letters saying that their position may be affected due to the Comprehensive Expenditure Review.
• We will continue to invest in partnerships with local libraries and organizations to provide access to additional resources.

If Pressed - Postsecondary Education

• CSC recognizes the important role education plays in supporting the safe and successful reintegration of offenders.
• In line with our mandate, the primary focus is ensuring that offenders who have not yet completed high school have opportunities to upgrade their education and work toward a secondary school diploma. These programs help build the literacy, academic, and personal development skills needed for reintegration.
• CSC is also committed to making post-secondary education accessible for offenders through partnerships with local universities and colleges.
• For example, the Walls to Bridges (W2B) program offers post-secondary courses in a unique classroom setting that brings together incarcerated learners and university students. These courses allow inmates to earn recognized post-secondary credits at no cost.
• Outside of these partnerships, inmates are responsible for paying their own post-secondary tuition.
• Through CORCAN, we also continue to engage with provincial Canadian trade associations, universities and colleges to provide job training to offenders.

If Pressed - CEGEP

• CSC does not receive dedicated funding to support post-secondary education.
• Inmates are responsible for paying their own post-secondary tuition.
• Under a long-standing regional arrangement, CSC had a contract with Cégep Marie‑Victorin, which provided services in two institutions in Quebec. While the contract will not be renewed, funding will be maintained until June 30 to ensure a respectful transition, centered on the needs of students and aligned with their correctional plans.
• To support the modernization of correctional practices and improve reintegration outcomes, CSC will be transforming the post‑secondary education model currently offered in the Quebec Region. The objective is to broaden access to college‑level programs for a greater number of inmates and to facilitate access to these services.
• Although CSC does not fund post-secondary studies, a range of no‑cost opportunities remain available through partnerships with external organizations and educational institutions.
• CSC will continue to focus its efforts on the core educational needs of offenders and provide them with training that meets labour market needs and supports employment.

If Pressed - Workforce Adjustment

• CSC put forward savings proposals designed to minimize operational disruption and impacts on our employees.
• CSC is a large and complex organization with over 20,000 employees.
• 620 indeterminate employees received letters to inform them that their position may be affected by future changes, the vast majority of which are in administrative and internal services roles.
• We expect that the number of involuntary departures will be reduced due to Voluntary Departure Programs and the proposed Early Retirement Incentive.

2.3 Unescorted Temporary Absences - Offender Ray

• I cannot speak to specific cases; however, I can assure you that protecting the safety and security of the public remains the Correctional Service of Canada’s top priority.
• To keep communities safe, CSC works with its criminal justice partners to gradually release and safely reintegrate federal offenders through structured community supervision.
• All Temporary Absences are subject to a comprehensive risk assessment.
• Eligible inmates considered low risk can be released on an Unescorted Temporary Absence (UTA) to take part in programs and for rehabilitation purposes.
• Various supervision requirements may also be applied to further enhance public safety during a UTA, including the condition of reporting to the police or a parole supervisor. 
• If the offender's behaviour changes and there is an increased risk to public safety, CSC takes immediate action to reassess the offender’s risk and behaviour under supervision and review their supervision strategy.
• Research shows that society is best protected when an offender is gradually reintegrated into society through supervised release, rather than at the end of their sentence with no controls or support.

2.4 Contraband and Drone Detection

• Protecting the safety and security of our institutions remains a top priority for CSC.
• CSC responds to the threat posed by drones through several security practices, intelligence activities, technological supports, and infrastructure enhancements.
• This includes current work on the deployment of body scanners at institutions, and the ongoing implementation of radiofrequency jammers and other technological countermeasures to prevent unauthorized communications and contraband deliveries.
• Technological innovations, alongside the ability of frontline officers to detect and seize contraband, will allow us to continue to effectively address contraband.

If Pressed - Jamming

• CSC is currently assessing the health and safety considerations associated with Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) jamming capabilities prior to their deployment at select institutions.

Responses to Contraband and Drones

• CSC continues to respond to the threat posed by contraband and drones using a layered approach, which includes the use of security practices, the adoption of technologies, intelligence activities, and infrastructure enhancements.
• Technological supports include intrusion detection systems for drones and throw-overs, ferromagnetic detectors and ion scanners, the increased use of body scanners, and the upcoming introduction of radiofrequency jammers.
• Non-technological supports include the use of Detector Dog Teams, enhancements to infrastructure, dynamic security and search practices, and partnerships with law enforcement and the community.
• CSC continues to identify new technologies as they become available to facilitate the detection of contraband. In October 2024, regulations governing the use of body scanners came into force and CSC is now working on the deployment of these systems.
• To complement these measures, in March 2025 it was announced that CSC will have an exemption to use radiofrequency jammers in institutions to prevent unauthorized communications and contraband deliveries.

2.5 Parliamentary Visits

• CSC welcomes visits to its institutions by Parliamentarians and judges.
• As our institutions have evolving security environments, with wardens responsible for ensuring the safety of institutions and guests, a member of CSC’s management team typically accompanies visitors during these tours. This is a longstanding best practice which applies to Members of Parliament, Senators and judges. 
• CSC management is also well-placed to answer questions about all aspects of our organization.
• If a Parliamentarians wishes to meet with inmates or labour partners privately, CSC makes every effort to provide access to a meeting room. Private meetings occur without CSC management present.

Legislation and Considerations

Under section 72 of the CCRA every member of the House of Commons, every Senator and every judge of a court of Canada has the right to:

• enter any penitentiary,
• visit any part of a penitentiary, and
• visit any inmate, with the consent of the innate.

Pursuant to the CCRA and its regulations, visits by Parliamentarians and judges must be authorized unless there are reasonable grounds to believe that the visit would jeopardize the security of the penitentiary or the safety of any person and restrictions would not be adequate to control the risk. Only an institutional head can refuse or suspend a visit.

CSC has experienced an increase in the number of Parliamentarian visits to our institutions and parole offices. CSC hosted 43 Parliamentary visits in 2024 to 2025 and has hosted 40 visits in the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year as of February 27th. This represents and increase from 22 visits in 2023 to 2024.

The best practice for these visits to have the warden (or a delegate) present during the tour. Not only are wardens responsible for the safety of the institution and the safety of employees, inmates and visitors, they are familiar with the layout and routine of the institution and can answer a range of questions.

2.6 Conditional Release

• To keep communities safe, CSC works with its criminal justice partners to gradually release and safely reintegrate federal offenders through structured community supervision.
• Research shows that society is best protected when an offender is gradually reintegrated into society through supervised release, rather than at the end of their sentence with no controls or support.
• If the offender’s behaviour changes and there is an increased risk to public safety, CSC takes immediate action to reassess the offender’s risk and behaviour under supervision and review their supervision strategy.
• If it is determined that an offender cannot be safely managed in the community, the offender’s conditional release will be suspended, resulting in a return to custody.
• The offender’s release can ultimately be revoked by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC).
• Over the past decade, there has been a steady and substantial improvement in the percentage of federal offenders not returning to federal custody within 5 years of sentence expiration:  
  • From 84.1% in 2015 to 2016 to 89.2% in 2024 to 2025 for all offenders.
  • 88.8% for male in 2024 to 2025.
  • 93.5% for female in 2024 to 2025.
  • From 76.9% in 2015 to 2016 to 83.9% in 2024 to 2025 for Indigenous offenders.

Statistics

Of 7,199 offenders who were on Day Parole or Full Parole for at least one day during the fiscal year, 0.3% were convicted with a violent offence committed while under supervision, and 1.0% were convicted with a non-violent offence committed while under supervision.

Between fiscal years 2020 to 2021 to 2024 to 2025:

• The number of offenders supervised in the community by CSC on conditional release decreased from 9,113 at the end of fiscal year 2020 to 2021 to 8,717 at the end of fiscal year 2024 to 2025, a decrease of 4.3 per cent.
• The number of offenders supervised on Day Parole increased from 1,406 to 1,677, an increase of 19.3 per cent.
• The number of offenders supervised on Full Parole decreased from 4,503 to 4,146, a decrease of 7.9 per cent.
• The number of offenders supervised on Statutory Release decreased from 2,715 to 2,401, a decrease of 11.6 per cent.
• The number of offenders supervised on Long-Term Supervision Orders increased from 489 to 493, an increase of 0.8 per cent.

After a consistent yearly decrease in the in-custody population between 2013 to 2014 and 2021 to 2022, the in-custody population increased 5.9% from 12,328 in 2021 to 2022 to 13,054 in 2022 to 2023.

Despite this increase, the in-custody population has not returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Over the past 10 years (from 2013 to 2014 to 2022 to 2023), the total offender population supervised in the community increased by 5.3%.

2.7 Security Classification and Transfers

Security Classification

• CSC contributes to the safety of institutions and the public by ensuring that all inmates are placed in institutions that match their security classification level.
• Inmates are classified based on the necessary degree of supervision and control within the penitentiary, escape risk, and risk to public safety in the event of an escape.
• For the purposes of determining the initial security classification and its reassessment, CSC uses evidence-based assessment tools and relies on the professional judgment of specialized staff and psychological evaluations, where applicable.
• In accordance with policy, CSC is required to reassess the security classification of inmates at least once every two years for those with a maximum or medium security rating.

Inmate Transfers

• Transfers from one institution to another may occur for many reasons, including when an inmate’s security classification is reviewed.
• All transfers to lower levels of security occur only after CSC has duly considered an inmate’s risk and how best to manage it.
• An inmate can be returned to a higher security level at any point if deemed necessary to ensure the safety of the public or the institution.

If Pressed - Transfer of Millard

• We are sensitive to the experiences of the victims and their families.
• Based on a victim's preferences, CSC engage with victims at various points of an offender’s sentence, including to provide opportunities to voice concerns to be considered in our decision-making. We also engage them to gather new or additional information and provide key notifications in accordance with the CCRA.
• While we are limited in what we can share about an offender and their location, we can confirm that these offenders remain securely incarcerated.

Security Classification

All inmates entering federal custody undergo a full assessment and referral process to identify their program and security needs, which may include health considerations, correctional programs, as well as employment and education assessments.

Initial security classification and subsequent security reclassification includes the use of evidence-based assessment instruments along with the professional judgment of specialized staff and psychological assessments, if applicable.

The following factors are considered in assigning a security classification to each inmate:

• the seriousness of the offence committed by the inmate;
• any outstanding charges against the inmate;
• the inmate’s performance and behaviour while under sentence;
• the inmate’s social, criminal and, if available, young-offender history and any dangerous offender designation under the Criminal Code;
• any physical or mental illness or disorder suffered by the inmate;
• the inmate’s potential for violent behaviour; and
• the inmate’s continued involvement in criminal activities.

This process considers the degree and type of custody and control required to ensure the safety of staff, the public, and institutions. The inmate's accessibility to family and other support mechanisms, the availability of appropriate programs and services, such as cultural initiatives, and the inmate's willingness to participate in those programs, are also considered.

As per policy, CSC must review the security classification of medium and maximum-security inmates at least every two years. Classification reviews must also be undertaken following a significant event (i.e., serious incident; escape, etc.). The inmate security classification process also takes into consideration Indigenous Social History (ISH) for Indigenous inmates.

Transfers

Transfers of inmates from one institution to another may occur for many reasons, including when an inmate's security classification is reviewed. All transfers of inmates to lower levels of security occur only after CSC has duly considered such aspects as public safety, required degree of control and supervision in the penitentiary and the risk of escape.

As inmates progress through the correctional system to lower security levels and earn more freedom of movement within the institution, the programs and activities are tailored to more closely reflect the conditions the inmate is likely to encounter once released into the community. A transfer to minimum security allows the inmate to experience greater autonomy to prepare for a safe reintegration into the community.

2.8 Victim Services and Victim Notification

• CSC is committed to upholding victims’ rights to information, protection and participation so that victims of federal offenders have an effective voice in Canada’s criminal justice system.
• CSC's National Victim Services Program is focused on engaging victims of offenders serving a federal sentence from a victim-centred, trauma-informed perspective.
• The intent is to provide victims with a voice at a time when their well-being and dignity may have been undermined. This can help them regain a sense of control over their lives and restore their confidence in the justice system. 
• In 2024 to 2025, CSC provided services to over 9,000 registered victims. During this period, CSC’s Victim Services Officers reached out to victims more than 50,000 times to share information about the offender that harmed them. This is done based on a victim's expressed preferences obtained either verbally or in writing, or through CSC's secure online Victims Portal.
• To ensure that all victims have access to the information they are entitled to receive, CSC continues to raise awareness about its program with victims, stakeholders, and criminal justice partners.

Bill S-12

• The Government of Canada has acknowledged concerns from victims and stakeholders about the challenges victims face in accessing information throughout the criminal justice process.
• To address this, Bill S-12, which was passed into law, requires courts to inquire whether a victim wishes to receive information about an offender and their progression throughout the course of their sentence.
• A new provision will also require Courts to forward the name and contact information for any victim who wishes to receive such information.
• Once in effect, CSC will begin proactively contacting victims to explain their rights and offer services that may be helpful to them.
• To prepare for this change, CSC is currently working with all provinces and territories to establish secure information-sharing arrangements.

Background

The CCRA recognizes that victims of crime have an important role to play in the criminal justice system. It provides victims with an opportunity to receive information about the offender that harmed them and participate in the federal corrections and conditional release process. Under the CCRA, victims who meet the definition are entitled to receive, upon request, offender-specific information otherwise not available to the public, including the offender’s name, the offence(s) of which the offender was convicted, the court that convicted the offender, the start date and length of the sentence the offender is serving and the offender’s eligibility dates and review dates for temporary absences or parole.

Further discretionary information, such as the name and location of the correctional institution where the offender is being held, may be disclosed to a victim when the Commissioner of CSC determines that the victim’s interest in receiving the information outweighs the potential invasion of the offender’s privacy. Victims may also ask to receive ongoing notifications of changes, such as when federal offenders are transferred to other federal or provincial facilities, including advance notification of a transfer to a minimum-security institution or to a healing lodge.

CSC can also provide registered victims with information about the offender’s progress in meeting the objectives in their Correctional Plan at specific points of their sentence. With consideration to public safety, CSC also provides victims with certain types of information at the time of certain releases, such as the offender’s release date, destination (and whether the offender will be in the vicinity of the victims while travelling to that destination), any conditions of release and a current photograph of the offender. This type of information allows victims to make informed decisions about their safety, which upholds their right to protection.

CSC encourages victims to provide a victim statement related to the continued impact that the crime, incarceration and release of the offenders have had on their lives. These statements can include relevant information about the offender, along with any safety concerns the victim may have and requests for conditions. This is the principal way that victims exercise their right to participation within the corrections and conditional release process. Victims are able to update these statements at any time, and offender case management teams are required by policy to review and consider any statement on file. As a matter of procedural fairness, CSC explains to victims that their statements are shared with the offender.

To receive information about the federal offender who harmed them, victims are asked to register with either CSC or the Parole Board of Canada (PBC). The registration process allows CSC to confirm that the applicant meets the definition of a victim before sharing protected information with victims about the offender. CSC provides information to victims based on their preferences. Information can be provided by telephone, mail and/or electronically through our secure, online Victims Portal, available 24/7.

2.9 Mother-Child Program

• The safety and security of all children who participate in the Mother-Child Program is our top priority.
• There are rigorous eligibility criteria protocols in place for participation in this program.
• This includes child welfare screening, as well as ensuring that those residing in the Mother-Child Living Unit have not been convicted of an offence against a child.
• The unit is securely locked, and access is restricted to those residing in the unit.
• Children who participate in the Mother-Child Program at any institution must be supervised at all times.
• Since it was implemented in 2001,167 mothers and over 200 children have safely participated in the program.

If Pressed - Edmonton Institution for Women

• The safety and security of all children who participate in the Mother-Child Program is our top priority.
• Children are always in the care of their mother or the approved institutional child caregivers.
• A strict screening process and infrastructure safeguards are in place to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of the child, as well as the safety and security of the institution.
• While specifics were not provided in the video, no child has resided at the Edmonton Institution for Women for over a year. There were no incident reports involving children at Edmonton Institution for Women between January 2020 and today.
• Child safety is a top priority. Any situation involving a child and mother is documented and addressed immediately.

Background

The Institutional Mother-Child Program was piloted in 1996 and implemented at all women's sites in 2001. The program aims to strengthen the bond between mothers and their children by keeping them together where appropriate and providing a supportive environment that fosters stability and continuity to their relationship. This program is currently available in all women's institutions including the healing lodge.

The on-site component of the Mother-Child Program enables children to stay with their mothers on a part-time or full-time basis. As of February 26, 2026, there are 8 children participating in the program with 3 in the institutions on a full-time basis, and 5 participating on a part-time basis.

The best interest of the child is the primary consideration in all decisions related to participation in this program. This is includes considering the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of the child, and the safety and security of the institution, in all activities.

Since its implementation, over 200 children have participated in the onsite full-time or part-time component of the Mother-Child Program

Off-site and other bonding services have expanded in recent years, accessible to all women offenders. These include in-person and video visits, counselling, education, legal and mediation supports, reading programs, escorted temporary absences to attend child-centred activities, and pre- and post-natal services.

A new tracking tool was implemented in April 2025 to monitor participation in all types of bonding services.

Safety of Children in the Program

There are rigorous eligibility criteria protocols in place for participation in this program, including child welfare screening completed by provincial and territorial child and family services, as well as ensuring that those residing in the Mother-Child Living Unit have not been convicted of an offence against a child. Mothers classified as maximum security are not eligible for full or part-time participation with their children but may access other bonding services.

2.10 Gender-Diverse Offenders

• CSC effectively manages institutional populations by ensuring that all offenders, including those with diverse gender identities, are in an environment that meets their security requirements, programs and spiritual and cultural needs.
• Requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis and requires a robust assessment of offenders' needs and risks, as well as any overriding health and safety concerns, including the examination of mitigation strategies.
• CSC works to place or transfer an offender in an institution that better aligns with their gender identity, unless there are overriding health and safety concerns that cannot be mitigated.
• If overriding health or safety concerns are identified and cannot be effectively mitigated, the placement or transfer request may be denied. In such cases, alternative measures are implemented to support the person’s gender-related needs where they reside. 

Statistics

At the end of fiscal year 2024 to 2025, gender diverse individuals represented less than 1% (0.83%) of CSC’s total offender population.

From 2017 to 2018 to 2024 to 2025, CSC received 129 requests from individuals assigned male at birth seeking placement or transfer in a women’s institution. Of these:

• 35 approved
• 72 denied
• 22 withdrawn

As of October 2025, there were 90 transgender women incarcerated in CSC institutions: 73 were housed in men’s institutions (81%) and 17 in women’s institutions (19%).

Current Status

In May 2022, CSC issued Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 100: Gender Diverse Offenders. This directive provides overarching policy direction aligned with amendments to Section 2 of the CHRA and paragraph 4(g) of the CCRA.

This policy supports staff in meeting the needs of gender diverse individuals and reinforces CSC’s legal duty to accommodate, regardless of a person’s sex (i.e., anatomy) or the gender marker on their identification.

2.11 Harm Reduction

Prison Needle Exchange Program

• Canadians across the country have been impacted by the ongoing opioid crisis, including inmates within federal correctional institutions.

• Harm reduction refers to practices that aim to minimize the negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with substance use.
• The Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP) is a harm reduction program that provides inmates access to sterile needles to limit the transmission of infectious diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV).
• This program also reduces the public health and safety risk to other inmates, staff, and the community.
• Appropriate safeguards have been established in every institution to ensure that PNEP kits are safely stored and accounted for at all times.
• A Threat Risk Assessment (TRA) is conducted to review all participant applications to ensure the safety and security of staff, inmates, and the institution.
• There have been no reported assaults involving staff or inmates associated with this program.

Overdose Prevention Sites

• The primary goal of the Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) is to prevent overdoses by having health care professionals available to respond immediately in the event of a medical emergency.
• Participants of the OPS are provided with access to sterile supplies within the healthcare unit of designated CSC institutions for the single use of their drug under the observation of a health care professional.
• The OPS also supports the reduction of the spread of infectious diseases by using sterile supplies, making institutions safer for employees, inmates and the community on release.
• Since the start of the program, there have been no fatalities amongst those using the OPS program.
• There have also been no drugs provided by CSC to offenders in the context of this program.

Background

Lifetime prevalence of problematic alcohol and substance use at the time of admission to federal institutions is assessed as 66% (men) and 61.6% (women) and higher for Indigenous men (85.2%) and women (85.7%). CSC research findings also show that roughly half (49.6%) of the incoming male offender population at time of assessment reported a current substance use problem, and the majority (55.5%) have a concurrent mental health disorder.

Approximately 20 to 22% of men and 27 to 29% of women report a lifetime history of injection drug use.

Past research found that those who inject drugs were 10 times more likely to acquire Hepatitis C (HCV) in custody. 47% of all new HCV infections were associated with injection drug use. 

Substance Use Services in CSC

CSC’s approach to substance use is shifting from a primarily stabilization‑ and risk‑reduction‑focused model to a more comprehensive, health‑centred approach that strengthens prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and continuing‑care services. This includes improving early screening, expanding harm‑reduction supports to address a broader range of substances, increasing access to addictions counselling and dedicated treatment programming, and enhancing release planning and community partnerships to support sustained recovery and reduce overdoses, relapse, and reoffending.

For individuals who are not ready to stop using substances, harm reduction remains an important element of care. CSC’s harm reduction measures include Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT), Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP), Overdose Prevention Service (OPS), Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART), and other peer support and harm reduction services (e.g. naloxone nasal spray, fentanyl testing strip, etc.). These measures are consistent with the federal Government’s Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy and recommendations by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which view substance use as a health issue.

To ensure the safety and security of staff, inmates and the institution, a Threat Risk Assessment (TRA) is conducted to review all PNEP applications. TRAs evaluate factors that could pose a danger to the management of an inmate, the safety of others and the security of an operational unit. This is the same model that is used for the distribution of EpiPens® and insulin needles. Appropriate safeguards have been established in every institution to ensure that PNEP kits are safely stored and accounted for at all times.

As of February 2026, the PNEP has been implemented at 13 institutions across the country. As of February 2026, OPS is available at 5 institutions: Drumheller Institution, Springhill Institution, Collins Bay Institution, Drummond Institution and Warkworth Institution.

Consistent with these efforts, CSC is also modernizing its formulary to ensure safer, evidence‑based prescribing and to reduce the misuse and diversion of high‑risk medications. Effective October 1, 2025, CSC adopted long‑acting injectable buprenorphine (Sublocade) as the first‑line treatment for opioid use disorder, designated methadone as a second‑line open benefit, and transitioned daily buprenorphine‑naloxone (Suboxone) to non‑formulary status following a six‑month phase‑out period. These evidence‑driven changes strengthen the quality and consistency of opioid agonist treatment across institutions, and planned formulary updates in 2026 will apply the same approach to other medications with diversion or misuse potential.

2.12 Staff Safety

• The safety and wellbeing of those who live and work in our federal institutions are of paramount importance for CSC.
• CSC is committed to ensuring a safe work environment for the thousands of dedicated staff who, on a daily basis, have the challenging task of managing a complex and diverse offender population.
• Measures are in place to protect the safety and security of these staff.
• Within our institutions, this includes the appropriate security placement of offenders, an engagement and intervention model to respond to incidents, drug detection and identification tools and ongoing staff training.
• Correctional Officers are qualified to use, and are provided with, the necessary security equipment to ensure their safety and security in institutions, including protective vests and gloves and restraint equipment.
• They also follow an Engagement and Intervention Model, which is a risk-based model intended to guide staff in preventing, responding to, and resolving incidents using the most reasonable interventions.

If pressed – Community Staff Safety

• CSC has a number of procedures and protocols in place to enhance the safety of community staff.
• This includes:
  • Conducting thorough threat-risk assessments;
  • A staff safety assessment of each offender upon their release;
  • The use of tandem supervisions – where parole officers or other CSC staff are accompanied by an authorized individual when visiting higher risk offenders; and
  • Partnerships with local law enforcement.
  • In addition to these established procedures and protocols, CSC provides mandatory safety training for community staff members to help them develop the skills needed when interacting with offenders to maintain safety, in accordance with laws, policies, and procedures relevant to their duties.

Staff Assaults

Staff assaults are taken very seriously. Police may be called for any criminal offences and both criminal and internal disciplinary charges can be laid against inmates. CSC acts promptly to ensure measures are in place to protect staff and ensure ongoing support. 

At the end of fiscal year 2024 to 2025, there were 506 incidents of assault on staff reported over the course of the fiscal year, compared to 614 at the end of the previous fiscal year.

CSC has a comprehensive Employee Protection Protocol (EPP) in place to address incidents where an employee and/or their family may be at greater risk than the normal conditions of work. These guidelines apply to all individuals employed by CSC (indeterminate, term and casual, as well as those on secondment to CSC or working part-time) at all times regardless of location (i.e. not only at institutions but also in parole and administrative offices, residences, public spaces, etc.).

2.13 Structured Intervention Units

• Structured Intervention Units (SIUs) are part of an ongoing transformation of the federal correctional system that aim to promote the rehabilitation of offenders while maintaining the safety and security of institutions.
• To improve the operation of SIUs, CSC has updated its policy suite, including Procedures Manuals, informed by lessons learned.
• New performance indicators and enhanced accountability for the collection and reporting of data will support the implementation of ongoing improvements.
• CSC will also explore improvements to correctional interventions to ensure they meet offenders’ needs and support SIU objectives.
• These actions, along with efforts to address recommendations from internal and external oversight bodies, will strengthen the oversight and operation of SIUs. 

Progress

• CSC has introduced an enhanced staffing model for the SIUs, which provides additional intervention options for inmates with specific needs and enables more accurate data collection.
• CSC is working with external organizations to implement innovative approaches to increase access to interventions and identify additional options for time out of cell and interactions with others.
• An example includes the Dad HERO program, being offered at most SIU locations by the Canadian Families and Corrections Network.
• CSC continues to gather and share best practices from all sites to assess where practices could be adapted for use in other sites.
• CSC continues to review and expand its performance measurement framework to ensure indicators effectively measure progress towards SIU objectives.

Background

Bill C-83 received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019, and came into force on November 30, 2019. Part of this Bill sought to eliminate administrative segregation and create SIUs with independent external oversight.

As of March 31st, 2025, there have been approximately 8844 “condition of confinement” referrals made to Independent External Decision Makers (IEDMs) for review. Of those reviewed (5284), the IEDM concluded 81% of the time that CSC had taken all reasonable steps to provide inmates with the opportunity for four hours out of their cell, with two hours of interaction with others. In the remaining decisions, the IEDMs have made recommendations to CSC or required the inmate to be removed from an SIU.

Results

At the end of fiscal year 2024 to 2025:

• 63.1% of inmates transferred to an SIU successfully reintegrated into the mainstream inmate population in 2024 to 2025, compared to 59.9% in 2023 to 2024.
• Median days in SIU in 2024 to 2025 was 15 days, compared to 26 days in 2021 to 2022.
• There were 215 inmates in SIUs (1.4% of the total number of offenders in custody [14,837]) and 14 inmates in Restricted Movement (0.1% of the total number of offenders in custody [14,837]).

2.14 Overrepresentation of Indigenous Offenders within the Correctional Service of Canada

• Indigenous people continue to be significantly overrepresented in the federal correctional system. While Indigenous people represent 5.0% of the Canadian population, according to the 2021 Census, 29% of offenders under CSC’s jurisdiction at the end of the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year were Indigenous.
• The overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system is a reflection of the systemic disparities that all levels of government must work to address.
• CSC is committed to taking action by enhancing cultural supports, streamlining release processes, implementing targeted reintegration and employment initiatives, and establishing leadership roles focused on Indigenous corrections.
• Work is also ongoing to develop a culturally responsive, Indigenous-informed security classification process and ensure appropriate initial security level placements.
• We continue to provide ongoing funding to support Indigenous offender reintegration through the Community Reintegration Fund, which enhances access to culturally responsive services, urban transition and home community reintegration supports, and Section 84 release planning to address this issue.
• We recognize there is more work to be done and will continue to collaborate with our partners to support Indigenous offenders' rehabilitation and successful reintegration.

Progress

Section 81

• Under section 81 of the CCRA, CSC collaborates with Indigenous community organizations who participate in the care of Indigenous offenders outside of traditional correctional settings.
• In terms of the total number of Indigenous offenders transferred to Section 81 and CSC Healing Lodge facilities:
  • In fiscal year 2022 to 2023, there was a 29.7% increase compared to the previous fiscal year;
  • In fiscal year 2023 to 2024, there was a further 43.3% increase;
  • In 2024 to 2025, there was a 3.5% increase over last fiscal year.
• CSC’s Section 81 Strategic Action Plan is focused on the following three priorities:
  • Enhance the use of existing Section 81 Agreements by addressing barriers to full utilization.
  • Expand the use of Section 81 of the CCRA through new agreements, particularly in under-served geographies.
  • Enhance engagement with Indigenous partners and the whole of government to ensure the use of Section 81 of the CCRA to its full legislative intent.

Section 84

• Section 84 of the CCRA provides a legal framework for an offender and CSC to engage with Indigenous communities in the release planning process for offenders who express an interest in serving their eventual conditional or statutory release in an Indigenous community or in an urban area with the support and direction of an Indigenous organization.
• CSC is currently updating internal guidelines regarding Section 84 and redeveloping The Path Home Release Planning Kit to ensure staff, offenders and Indigenous organizations/ communities have easy access to all necessary information.
• In fiscal year 2023 to 2024, 419 Indigenous offenders had an established Section 84 release plan prior to their first release, compared to 387 in 2022 to 2023.       
• In fiscal year 2024 to 2025, 467 Indigenous offenders had an established Section 84 release plan prior to their first release.
• In fiscal year 2024 to 2025, 472 offenders were released to a Section 84 location compared to 243 in fiscal year 2020 to 2021.
• CSC has implemented several reintegration initiatives through the Community Reintegration Fund (CRF) to support Indigenous offenders transitioning to life in community.
• As of February 2026, CSC is supporting 18 contracts through the Community Reintegration Fund (CRF) for fiscal year 2025 to 2026, with a combined value of approximately $1.6 million.
• As of February 2026, CSC is supporting 13 Contribution Agreements through the Indigenous Offender Reintegration Contribution Program (CRF) for fiscal year 2025 to 2026 across the country. Valued at $1.1 million, these agreements fund culturally grounded services that support the reintegration of Indigenous offenders, while addressing recidivism and the overrepresentation of Indigenous offenders.

Elders and Spiritual Advisors

• CSC is legally mandated to ensure that correctional policies, programs and practices respect ethnic, cultural and linguistic differences and are responsive to the special needs Indigenous people.
• Through traditional cultural and spiritual interventions, Elders and Spiritual Advisors assist offenders to address the factors stemming from their social history, which contribute to their offending.  
• In fiscal year 2024 to 2025 CSC contracted approximately 174 Elders and Spiritual Advisors to provide spiritual, ceremonial and counselling support and teachings to First Nations, Métis and Inuit offenders wishing to engage in the Indigenous Continuum of Care.

Background

While decisions with respect to sentencing are outside of CSC’s control, CSC does influence the time Indigenous offenders spend in custody by providing culturally responsive programs and interventions to address an Indigenous offender’s risk, provide effective rehabilitation and foster successful community reintegration. CSC is committed to making impactful changes and to improve reintegration outcomes for Indigenous offenders in a meaningful way. Notably, there was an increase in the percentage of discretionary releases for Indigenous offenders, from 35.8% in fiscal year 2021 to 2022 to 42.4% in fiscal year 2024 to 2025 CSC has introduced many initiatives to address systemic factors that have contributed to the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples, including:

Institutional and Structural Changes

• In 2017, CSC establishment of Indigenous Interventions Centres to provide streamlined support to Indigenous offenders from the start of their sentence.
• Appointment of a Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections (DCIC) to lead and coordinate Indigenous correctional strategies.
• Recent streamlining of the Section 84 release process to remove barriers to participation.

Reintegration and Community Support

• Implementation of reintegration initiatives through the Community Reintegration Fund (CRF), including project funding for Indigenous organizations delivering trauma-informed care and life skills programming.
• CSC established a Memorandum of Understanding with Indigenous Services Canada to assist status First Nations people under CSC custody in obtaining or renewing their Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) and accessing Non-Insured Health Benefit (NIHB) prior to release.

Culturally Responsive Programming

• Delivery of culturally responsive correctional programs for Indigenous offenders, including:
  • Pathways Initiative: An intensive healing intervention involving traditional practices and active Elder engagement.
  • Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy: Developed in 2014 to ensure Inuit offenders have the support and resources needed to reintegrate successfully into their communities.
• In 2024 to 2025, CSC contracted approximately 174 Elders and Spiritual Advisors to provide spiritual, ceremonial, and counselling support to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit offenders. Elder services remain a priority, with oversight by the EXCOM Sub-Committee on Indigenous Corrections, which is exploring best practices and models through intergovernmental partnerships.

Healing Lodges and Section 81 Facilities

• Continued support for Section 81 facilities and CSC Healing Lodges, which offer culturally grounded environments for Indigenous healing and reintegration.

Staff Training and Support

• Delivery of Indigenous Social History (ISH) training to CSC staff, aimed at integrating ISH considerations into decision-making and improving responsiveness to the needs of Indigenous offenders.
• Responsivity resource kits were developed to provide correctional and education program staff with the tools to work and interact effectively with offenders with special needs and/or those that require special considerations in the program context, such as women and Indigenous people.
• Launch of the Connecting Spirits, Creating Opportunities (CSCO) initiative to support Indigenous employees and their managers in career planning to promote retention and succession planning for culturally competent staff. In March 2025, CSCO launched the Leadership Learning Path: Empowering Indigenous Leaders at CSC to enhance their leadership capabilities at any career stage.

2.15 Employment Standards

• We regularly review the impact of staffing levels at all of our institutions to ensure that the necessary resources are available to meet operational needs.
• We have contingency plans with additional measures that can be taken to address staffing levels while continuing our recruitment and retention efforts.
• The safety and well-being of our employees will continue to be a priority for CSC.
• We recognize that correctional staff perform demanding work. We will continue to work with employees and union partners to maintain safe workplaces.

Background

While the National Standards for the Deployment of Correctional Officers are met, staffing requirements can vary depending on many factors, such as time of year, absenteeism and operational requirements, which can result in variances that require daily adjustments. In some cases, these situations result in the use of overtime to maintain safety and continuity of operations. CSC continues to work with labour partners to explore solutions, strengthen cooperation and facilitate the return to work of able employees, including through reintegration plans.

3. Committee Biographies

Liberal

• Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos (Chair)
• Sima Acan
• Marcus Powlowski
• Honourable Ali Ehsassi
• Jacques Ramsay

Conservative

• Frank Caputo (Vice-Chair)
• Dane Lloyd
• Chak Au
• Rhonda Kirkland

Bloc Quebecois

• Claude DeBellefeuille (Vice-Chair)

Liberal Party of Canada (LPC)

Conservative Party of Canada (CPC)

Bloc Quebecois (BQ)

4. Current Private Member’s Bills of Interest