Ministerial transition binder: May 2025

On this page

• List of acronyms
• 1. Our story
• 2. Commissioner's biography
• 3. Mandate
  • Mission and mandate
• 4. Key facts and figures
  • 4.1 CSC workforce
  • 4.2 Offender population
  • 4.3 Infrastructure
• 5. Financial snapshot
• 6. Results
• 7. Safety and security: Layered approach
• 8. Population management
  • 8.1 Security classification and transfers
  • 8.2 Structured Intervention Units
  • 8.3 Community corrections
• 9. Victim services and notifications
• 10. Overrepresentation
  • 10.1 Indigenous Peoples
  • 10.2 Black offenders
• 11. Health services
  • 11.1 Mental health
  • 11.2 Harm reduction measures
  • 11.3 Health Centre of Excellence
• 12. Women offenders
  • 12.1 Creating choices
  • 12.2 Mother-child program
• 13. Gender diverse offenders
• 14. Ongoing initiatives
  • 14.1 CORCAN
  • 14.2 National offender digital education initiative
  • 14.3 Recruitment and training academies

1. Our story

Welcome Minister!

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is an integral part of the Public Safety portfolio. We have an engaged, professional and high-performing workforce that takes pride in changing lives and protecting Canadians. In fact, that’s our motto.

With more than 20,000 employees, CSC plays a key role in public safety. We work around the clock, 365 days a year, at our 43 federal penitentiaries, 81 parole offices and 14 community correctional centres across Canada. We also provide services to victims and survivors of crime. Our operations are supported by CSC’s National Headquarters, in Ottawa, and 5 Regional Headquarter Offices located in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. We even run Canada’s Penitentiary Museum, Trip advisor’s #2 attraction in Kingston, Ontario!

As a public institution, CSC as we know it today, dates to 1979. But corrections has existed for much longer, with our oldest facilities dating back to 1877 and 1880 respectively. Our mission is to actively encourage and assist offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control. This mission has stood the test of time and continues to guide our work. We also provide health services directly to federal inmates.

CSC operates within a framework of values, policy, and legislation, with the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) being the main law guiding our work.

Our approach is evidence-based and focuses on addressing the underlying issues that lead to criminal behaviour, such as addiction, mental health issues, or lack of education. By tackling these root causes, it helps prevent future offences. Research shows that effective rehabilitation programs have been shown to reduce recidivism rates.

CSC has a special operating agency called CORCAN. It provides skills and training to offenders that assists them with employment opportunities upon their release, all while serving the needs of our communities through projects like Indigenous housing, office equipment, mobile units, and clothing. During the pandemic, CORCAN produced personal protective equipment when there were supply shortages in Canada.

In 1989, the federal government commissioned a task force to review CSC’s approach to the management of women offenders, and in 1990, released a report called Creating Choices. This led to the opening of 5 new correctional facilities and a healing lodge for women. It introduced a new correctional philosophy and approach for women’s corrections which is holistic, research-based and guided by 5 principles:

• empowerment
• meaningful and responsible choices
• respect and dignity
• supportive environments, and
• shared responsibility

As Creating Choices celebrates its 35th anniversary, these principles remain the foundation for women’s corrections and the driving force behind several advances, from institutional design to operations, mental health and correctional interventions.

We are heavily committed to fostering safe and healthy workplaces, and a positive culture. We invest a lot of time and effort into these priorities. We also continue to explore new and improved ways of doing things as the landscape evolves, and remain open to change.

CSC is an economic driver in many communities across the country, employing many Canadians and playing a key partnership role in these towns and cities. Over 90% of our employees work outside of the National Capital Region. Many countries also look to Canada for guidance and support due to our world-class system, interventions, training programs, and our ability to manage operations, and crises, such as COVID-19, effectively.

Check out this video “The Service, for Canada” on who we are.

Again, welcome and I look forward to meeting with you.

Anne Kelly

Commissioner

Commissioner's biography

Anne Kelly was appointed as interim Commissioner of CSC on February 2, 2018, and officially appointed on July 31, 2018.

Ms. Kelly started her career with CSC in 1983 as a Case Management Officer. Over the years she had a variety of assignments, mostly in the Ontario Region, at the institutional, community and national levels, including case management supervisor, unit manager and project officer at National Headquarters.

Ms. Kelly was also the Deputy Warden at Mountain Institution in the Pacific Region for a period of 2 years, from 1996 to 1998. Following her return to National Headquarters in 1998, she held the positions of Director of Institutional Reintegration Operations, Director General of Offender Programs and Reintegration, and acted as Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs. Ms. Kelly was appointed Deputy Commissioner for Women in July 2004.

In September 2006, Ms. Kelly was appointed Regional Deputy Commissioner, Pacific Region, where she served for 5 years until her appointment as Senior Deputy Commissioner in 2011.

Ms. Kelly is a recipient of the Exemplary Service Medal and 2 Bars, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

3. Mandate

Mission and mandate

Our mission

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), as part of the criminal justice system and respecting the rule of law, contributes to public safety by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control.

Our mandate

CSC is the federal government organization responsible for administering sentences of 2 years or more, as imposed by the courts. CSC is responsible for managing federal correctional institutions of various security levels and for supervising offenders under conditional release and long-term supervision order in the community.

CSC manages a complex and evolving federal correctional environment. As most federal offenders will eventually return to the community, it is imperative that they are provided access to programs and services to enhance their ability to safely and gradually reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens, thereby contributing to greater public safety for all Canadians.

Legal framework and external oversight

The Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) provides CSC with its legislative framework:

• CCRA, Part I: Institutional and Community Corrections
• CCRA, Part II: Parole Board of Canada; and
• CCRA, Part III: Office of the Correctional Investigator

CSC's legal framework is operationalized through the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations (CCRR), Commissioner’s Directives and Institutional Standing Orders.

In addition to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, approximately 70 other Acts and Regulations impact CSC (for example, Criminal Code, Access to Information Act, Privacy Act, Official Languages Act, International Transfer of Offenders Act, et cetera.). For instance, CSC provides services to victims as per the CCRA to uphold rights as expressed in the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

4. Key facts and figures

4.1 CSC workforce

As of April 7, 2025, CSC employs approximately 20,000 employees from a vast number of fields.

This includes employing over 12,000 front-line staff, such as:

• 6,000 Correctional Officers (CX01 and CX02)
• 600 Correctional Managers (CX04)
• 500 Primary Workers
• 1,400 Parole Officers
• 465 Correctional Program Officers
• 275 Indigenous Officers includes:
  • Indigenous Liaison Officers
  • Indigenous Program Officers; and
  • Indigenous Community Development Officer
• 145 Social Program Officers
• 1,035 Nurses; and
• 200 Psychology Staff

4.2 Offender population

At the end of fiscal year 2024 to 2025, CSC was responsible for 23,554 offenders:

• 14,837 were in custody, incarcerated in federal institutions
• 8,717 were supervised in the community
• 1,495 were women offenders, with 53.4% in custody, and 46.6% under supervision in the community
• 2,498 offenders were aged 65 or over

4.3 Infrastructure

CSC manages:

• 43 correctional institutions across Canada, including 4 healing lodges
• 14 community correctional centres; and
• 81 parole offices and sub-parole offices

5. Financial Snapshot

As reflected in the anticipated 2025 to 2026 Main Estimates, CSC’s annual budget is $3.9 billion.

Approximately 85% of CSC’s budget is non-discretionary

• Front-line workforce / Collective Agreements
• Statutory obligations for offenders: CSC is supported by Quasi-Statutory Requirements, which is adjusted for price and volume. This represents approximately 55% of CSC’s operating and maintenance budget, which is reconciled and adjusted on an annual basis with central agencies

Operating budget

Operational costs are largely fixed and related to both static and dynamic security.

Maintenance budget

• CSC continues to manage an aging infrastructure, antiquated technology, buildings in need of environmental upgrades
• Approximately 40% of CSC’s infrastructure is over 50 years old; 2 institutions are over 150 years old; and, 18% of the total real property portfolio operating in poor to critical status

In fiscal year 2017 to 2018, CSC entered into a Program Integrity situation off the heels of the Deficit Reduction Action Plan (DRAP), and other fiscal restraint measures associated with collective bargaining that resulted in CSC undertaking a Comprehensive Review (CR) of its operations. Permanent support in 2021 of $185.0M on an ongoing basis was provided to address CSC’s structural deficits due to:

• collective agreements
• workers’ compensation benefits / injury-on-duty leave
• legal services
• the opioid crisis

Over the past year, departments across the federal government have been working to meet the objectives of the first phase of refocusing government spending initiative (RGS), to ensure fiscal responsibility and find efficiencies in the way we work. RGS 1.0 reduced CSC’s reference level by $85.4M. The reduction exacerbates CSC’s program integrity situation.

It should be noted that CSC’s FTE growth is one of the lowest in the past 10 years in relation to the public service, and the growth that has materialized is linked to the Transformation of Federal Corrections initiative that resulted in the elimination of administrative segregation, the creation of Structured Intervention Units and support for enhanced mental health services for offenders.

6. Results

The following are CSC’s results in different areas:

• CSC has continued to achieve positive outcomes for offenders who were not readmitted to federal custody on a new sentence within 5 years of their warrant expiry date. Year-over-year improvements have been observed, increasing from 85.3% in 2018 to 2019 to 89.2% in 2024 to 2025. Similarly, results for Indigenous offenders have improved, rising from 79.1% in 2018 to 2019 to 83.9% in 2024 to 2025

• total criminal convictions for offences committed by offenders while on supervision in the community have dropped by nearly 28% over the past 10 years (from 1,731 to 1,252)

• in fiscal year 2024 to 2025, on-the-job training opportunities in federal correctional institutions were offered through employment assignments to 15,541 offenders, including 2,770 offenders participating in CORCAN on-the-job employment assignments

• 23,494 vocational training certificates and 630 National Employability Skills Program certificates were earned by offenders throughout the year, increasing employability post incarceration

• of the offenders with an identified need for educational upgrading, the percentage who upgraded their education prior to first release in 2024 to 2025 was 82.7%

• the Mother-Child Program has facilitated over 200 participants in its cohabitation component, fostering positive relationships between mothers and their children by keeping them together where appropriated and providing a supportive environment that promotes stability and continuity in the mother-child relationship

• since 2015 to 2016, drug-related seizures within our institutions have increased by nearly 170% (from 2,444 to 6,586), due to the ongoing vigilance of correctional staff, particularly in dealing with the increase in UAV (drone) incursions. While seizures are positive, we are also tackling the underlying cause through a layered approach (see next section)

7. Safety and security: Layered approach

CSC responds to the threat of drones and contraband, with a layered approach. This includes the use of dynamic security practices, technological supports, intelligence activities, police and crown partnerships, and infrastructure enhancements.

The following is an overview of the technological supports that form part of this layered approach:

• Air and Ground Intrusion Detection System (AGIDS): After collaborating with the National Research Council to research drone detection technology for correctional environments, this project was developed specific to correctional environment

• Preventing Contraband Detection Air and Ground (PCDAG): [Redacted]

• Radio-Frequency (RF) Detection: [Redacted]

• Ferromagnetic Detectors: This non-intrusive detection method is used in CSC facilities to detect cellular phones already introduced to the site that are concealed either on or inside an offender’s person, or in other areas. These detectors are deployed at sites in every region

• Jamming Technology: On March 7, 2025, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry approved the use of radio frequency jammers at correctional facilities

• Ion Scanners: CSC uses Ion Scanners to enhance its drug detection capabilities and combat the influx of illicit substances

• Drug Identification Devices: CSC deploys Drug Detector devices, which have proven to be effective in identifying unknown substances suspected to be intoxicants

• Body Scanners: In July 2022, CSC deployed body scanners as part of a pilot project at 2 institutions. Regulations governing the use of body scanners came into force in October 2024. [Redacted]

The following non-technological security layers contribute to CSC’s response to contraband, including the threat posed by drones:

• Dynamic Security: Regular and consistent interactions with inmates; timely analysis of information and sharing through observations and communication; as well as proactive practices that can mitigate security incidents, including by proactively responding to drone events

• Detector Dog Program: CSC’s Detector Dog Program (DDP) is 1 of the methods CSC uses for contraband detection to keep institutions safe. Detector Dog Teams (DDT), consist of a specially trained dog and handler. There are DDT located at federal institutions across Canada and they are responsible for hundreds of contraband seizures every year. DDTs assist frontline staff in detecting drugs and firearms

  • Electronic Storage Device Detector Dogs: These specially trained detector dogs can detect and locate electronic devices and have been effective for detecting and seizing cellular phones hidden within CSC facilities. [Redacted]

• Infrastructure: [Redacted]

• Police Partnerships: CSC finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with Kingston Police to establish a dedicated Unmanned Air Vehicle task force early 2025. This type of partnership will be the first of its kind in Canada, and if it proves successful, CSC may explore a similar partnership in Quebec

• Crown Partnerships: CSC has worked closely with Crowns in Ontario to gain support to lay charges for Mischief Endangering Life, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, to recognize the serious harms posed by the contraband introduced by drones

8. Population management

8.1 Security classification and transfers

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.

This process considers the degree and type of custody and control required to ensure the safety of our staff, the public, and our institutions. The offender'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.

Only offenders who are assessed as having a low risk to public safety, low institutional adjustment and low escape risk are placed in a minimum-security institution. As per policy, CSC must review the security classification of medium and maximum-security inmates at least every 2 years. However, classification reviews must also be undertaken following a significant event (such as Parole Board of Canada decision; serious incident; escape, et cetera.). 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, institutional security 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 offender is likely to encounter once released into the community. A transfer to minimum security allows the inmate to experience greater autonomy and flexible supervision to prepare for a safe reintegration into the community.

The risk posed by inmates is constantly assessed by our staff. In the event of a change in the risk posed, the necessary measures are taken to ensure the safety of the public or our institutions, including the possibility of a reclassification to a higher security level.

8.2 Structured Intervention Units

Overview

• In June 2019, Bill C-83 - An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and another Act received Royal Assent. Bill C-83’s purpose was to, among other things, eliminate administrative segregation and create Structured Intervention Units (SIUs) for inmates who cannot be safely managed within a mainstream inmate population

• SIU provisions of Bill C-83 came into force on November 30, 2019

• All 5 women’s institutions and 9 men’s institutions have an SIU. SIUs may open at additional institutions if and where need exists

• An offender could be transferred to an SIU if they are a threat to any person or the security of the institution, their safety is in jeopardy or their placement in the mainstream population would interfere with an investigation, and there is no reasonable alternative

• The SIUs support CSC’s mission to help offenders become law-abiding citizens, while exercising safe, reasonable, secure and humane control, by responding to institutional security risks while ensuring that offenders continue to engage in their Correctional Plan and address the specific factors or behaviours that led to their transfer to an SIU

• Offenders in SIUs are offered a minimum of 4 hours outside the cell every day. At least 2 of the 4 hours must involve “meaningful human contact” with someone such as an elder, chaplain, counsellor, family member, friend, or compatible inmate

• The SIU model includes a continuous review and decision process, that includes both internal reviews and decisions at various levels of CSC and external reviews by Independent External Decision Makers (IEDMs). IEDMs review include both a review of the inmate’s duration and appropriateness of their confinement in an SIU as well as the inmate’s conditions of confinement

Five-year review

Clause 40.1 provides that a comprehensive review of the provisions enacted by Bill C-83 must be undertaken by a parliamentary committee at the start of the fifth year after the day on which this section comes into force. This review has not yet begun.

8.3 Community corrections

Community supervision

Community supervision is a key aspect of CSC's mandate to contribute to public safety. It involves monitoring and supporting offenders in the community to facilitate their safe and successful reintegration, including managing offenders on parole, statutory release, and long-term supervision orders.

Under the supervision of Parole Officers and multidisciplinary case management teams, offenders are held accountable while being supported in addressing the factors that led to their criminal behaviour. CSC works in close collaboration with community partners, police, Indigenous organizations, and non-governmental agencies to ensure that supervised offenders have access to housing, employment, treatment, and other services, thereby promoting rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and fostering safer communities.

Under current legislation, there are different types of conditional release for offenders:

• Temporary Absences (such as Unescorted Temporary Absences and Escorted Temporary Absences)
• Work Release
• Day Parole, and
• Full Parole

Statutory Release is a legislated release at two-thirds of an offender’s sentence.

Temporary absences

Under the CCRA, there are 2 types of Temporary Absences (TAs); Escorted Temporary Absences (ETAs) and Unescorted Temporary Absences (UTAs). TAs may be granted where it is considered that the inmate will not present an undue risk to society by re-offending during the absence. The TA must also normally fit within the framework of the inmate's correctional plan, except in certain cases, such as required for court appearances, or for compassionate and/or medical reasons. A structured plan for the absence is prepared and approved prior to the absence.

TAs are designed to assist in an inmate’s gradual reintegration into the community and to enhance public safety. TAs may be granted for medical, administrative, parental responsibility and compassionate reasons. They can also be granted for community service, family contact and personal development for rehabilitative purposes. Conditions are imposed on inmates who are granted TAs to ensure public safety.

Day Parole and Full Parole

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) has exclusive authority to grant both Day Parole and Full Parole based on information, assessments, and recommendations prepared by CSC institutional and community staff.

PBC members must be satisfied that the offender will not present an undue risk to society by reoffending before the expiration of their sentence, and the release of the offender will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating the reintegration of the offender into society as a law-abiding citizen.

Day Parole provides offenders with the opportunity to participate in ongoing, community-based activities and to prepare for Full Parole or Statutory Release. Offenders on Day Parole are required to return to a penitentiary, Community-Based Residential Facility (CBRF), provincial correctional facility or other specified location each night (or another specified interval).

Full Parole is a form of conditional release that allows an offender to serve part of their sentence in the community. The offender is placed under the supervision of a community parole office and is required to abide by conditions designed to reduce the risk of re-offending and foster reintegration into the community. While on Full Parole, offenders do not return to a CBRF each night (unless subject to a residency condition), but must report regularly to a parole supervisor, and in certain cases, to the police.

For offenders supervised in the community, any risk is managed through monitoring and supervision strategies that are tailored to each offender. Strategies are made in partnership with local police and program staff which works to uphold the safety of our communities.

9. Victim services and notifications

The CCRA allows victims of crime to have access to information about the offender(s) who harmed them and to have the opportunity to provide information for consideration in decisions made by CSC regarding the management of the offender’s case. 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.

Victims may ask to receive ongoing information about the offender as it relates to their progress in meeting the objectives of their Correctional Plan. Victims also have the right 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 a healing lodge. 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. To receive information about the offender who harmed them, victims are asked to register with either CSC or the PBC. This is done to ensure that the individual meets the definition of a victim and to gather their notification preferences. Information is provided by telephone, mail and/or electronically through our secure, online Victims Portal, available 24/7, depending on the victim’s preferences, which can be adjusted at any time.

Victim registration

Currently CSC serves over 9000 victims.

Registration does not automatically follow the conviction of an offender and victim information is not currently transferred to CSC from other victim service providers (for example, police, courts, provincial/territorial, et cetera.). Therefore, victims must find out about CSC’s National Victim Services Program and opt into the program by registering. However, with the coming into force of a revised clause in the Criminal Code of Canada, anticipated for late 2025, CSC will receive contact information for victims from courts to engage with them and do a proactive offer of CSC services. CSC is presently negotiating Memoranda of Understanding with all of Provinces and Territories to facilitate secure information sharing. This will lead to more victims being registered and served by CSC.

10. Overrepresentation

10.1 Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples continue to be overrepresented in the federal correctional system. While According to the 2021 Census, Indigenous Peoples represent 5% of the Canadian population. However, at the end of the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, 29% of offenders under CSC’s jurisdiction were Indigenous. Broken down further, Indigenous peoples accounted for 46.2% of the women offender population and 31.8% of the men offender population.

CSC has taken actions to address factors that have contributed to the disproportion, which include:

• appointing a Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections (DCIC) to oversee and prioritize Indigenous initiatives
• creating of Indigenous Interventions Centres to provide streamlined support to Indigenous offenders, from the commencement of their sentence
• increasing access to culturally-relevant interventions and programs for Indigenous offenders
• strengthening the Pathways Initiative for offenders who are committed to following an intensive traditional path of healing which includes the active involvement of Elders
• expanding of the Indigenous Offender Employment Initiative to 7 locations in the Prairie, Ontario, Atlantic and Pacific regions to provide transitional employment opportunities to newly released offenders
• streamlining the Section 84 release process to remove barriers to ensure the safe and successful release of Indigenous offenders
• making efforts to eliminate barriers to optimize the full utilization of existing Section 81 agreements, while collaborating with Indigenous communities to expand their number
• fully utilizing of the Community Reintegration Fund (CRF). CSC received funding to strengthen its reintegration support for men and women offenders as they transition from the institution to life in the community. The CRF is currently serving more than 40 communities to help individuals overcome the challenges of reintegrating into their communities or urban society. Organizations such as BUILD, Inc. provide job training and cultural support, while others, like STR8 UP, focus on gang exit strategies. Additionally, funding is also provided to address trauma, addiction, and life skills development to aid successful reintegration. This initiative is rooted in Section 84 of the CCRA, which allows communities to play a central role in reintegration planning
• working collaboratively with criminal justice partners, agencies, organizations and community stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, Elders, and Indigenous advisory boards, to support the healing and rehabilitation, and enhance safe reintegration of Indigenous men and women offenders into the community
• working with independent external partners, in relation to the development of evidence-informed and culturally responsive approaches to strengthen and enhance the assessment and classification process for federally sentenced Indigenous Peoples
• despite these efforts, we recognize there is more work to be done. This overrepresentation is a criminal justice system wide issue, and we continue to work with our partners to support the rehabilitation of Indigenous offenders and ensure they are provided the tools and services they need to successfully reintegrate into the community

10.2 Black offenders

In fiscal year 2024 to 2025, 10% of offenders under federal jurisdiction (in custody or under community supervision) were Black, despite representing 4% of adults in Canada. Between fiscal years 2020 to 2021 and 2024 to 2025, the total federal offender population increased by almost 9% (from 21,512 to 23,554, respectively) and the number of Black people within this population increased by 19% (from 1,876 to 2,241, respectively).

To address this overrepresentation, CSC created an Ethnocultural Action Framework to better support ethnocultural offenders, including those who are Black and other racialized groups. Over 60 staff members have been identified as Ethnocultural Site Coordinators to provide key support to offenders, including those who are Black or part of other racialized groups, at the site level on a volunteer basis. CSC continues to provide Black offenders with interventions and services aimed at supporting their reintegration. This includes:

• addressing cultural, employment and mentorship needs
• receiving support from community service providers and volunteers, when possible
• establishing new partnerships with post-secondary schools and community-based organizations providing services to Black offenders
• providing culturally-relevant materials for personal development purposes; and
• when appropriate, recommending and facilitating Day Parole to “other locations”, which may include offenders’ home communities, or locations with increased access to relevant supports for successful reintegration

Black Offender Strategy

CSC is also developing a Black Offender Strategy to identify new opportunities to address the unique lived experiences and barriers faced by federally sentenced Black individuals.

The Black Offender Strategy has been designed in 2 phases. Phase 1 identifies ways to incorporate and expand successful practices across the country and, where possible, anchor them in policies, procedures and practice nationally. Phase 2 outlines new initiatives CSC would like to undertake.

Many of these initiatives align directly with the recommendations of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, put forward by an external Steering Group, and those of the Correctional Investigator. The Strategy will be reported under CSC’s Anti-Racism Framework and contributes to whole-of-government efforts to combat systemic racism for Black communities, including Canada’s Black Justice Strategy and the United Nations Decade of Peoples of African Descent.

11. Health services

11.1 Mental health

A key priority for CSC is the provision of professional, clinically independent, culturally responsive, integrated and coordinated person-centred health care. This is underscored by CSC’s legislative mandate to provide essential health care and reasonable access to non-essential health care to inmates, in keeping with professionally accepted standards. CSC’s health services are accredited by Accreditation Canada, the same organization that accredits hospitals and other service providers in communities across the country.

CSC’s health services are provided by a range of registered health care professionals, many of whom provide the same services in their local communities, and their practice adheres to the same professional standards as any provider across the country.

Primary mental health care

Primary Mental Health Care is provided to inmates with mental health needs that can be accommodated by CSC institutional health care teams. Primary Mental Health Care also includes services for time-specific crisis management related to mental health needs, including when inmates present with elevated suicide or self-injury vulnerabilities. Primary Mental Health Care is provided at all CSC institutions and Indigenous Healing Lodges.

Institutional mental health services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• mental health screening
• assessment
• treatment and intervention; and
• discharge planning

Intermediate mental health care

Intermediate Mental Health Care is provided to inmates who do not require admission to a hospital and whose needs exceed the level of care provided through primary care. Level of care is based on an assessment of the inmate’s impairment in level of functioning and is for those who require a more specialized level of mental health assessment and treatment. Depending on the specific needs identified and level of treatment required, services are provided in select CSC institutions, or in Regional Treatment Centres (RTC).

For minimum- and medium-security women inmates with mental health needs, intermediate-level care is provided in Structured Living Environments, which have been established at each of the 5 women's facilities. These 5 units provide a more intense level of mental health services. Intermediate Mental Health Care is also available for maximum-security women in the Secure Units and for all security levels at CSC’s Regional Psychiatric Centre (RPC) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

In-patient psychiatric care (treatment centres)

Psychiatric in-patient hospital care is provided to inmates who have serious mental health needs and require a hospital environment that provides 24-hour health care. Inmates must consent to being admitted unless certified under provincial legislation. Upon discharge from these facilities, teams at the treatment centre and the receiving institution work collaboratively to ensure continuity of care.

In May 2024, CSC Health Services identified a review of RTCs as a strategic priority. The goal of this review is to standardize RTCs and programs to support nationally consistent service delivery. The review will consider the unique health needs of women and Indigenous inmates in our custody.

CSC currently has in-patient care beds available for inmates. External, in-patient psychiatric hospital beds are also available at L’Institut Philippe-Pinel de Montréal (IPPM): 15 beds for women offenders and up to 5 beds for men offenders. 

11.2 Harm reduction measures

Substance use in federal corrections

Lifetime prevalence of problematic alcohol and substance use at the time of admission to federal institutions is assessed as 61% (men) and 61.6% (women) and higher for Indigenous men (85.2%) and women (85.7%). CSC research findings also show that over 50% of the incoming men offender population at time of assessment reported a current substance use problem, and the majority (68%) 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. This finding is consistent across multiple research and surveillance activities (for example 2007 Inmate Survey, standardized intake assessments, and health care records).

Those who inject drugs were 10 times more likely to acquire HCV in custody. In CSC, 47% of all new HCV infections were associated with injection drug use.

Substance use services in CSC

Consistent with the renewed Canadian Drugs and Substance Strategy (CDSS), CSC recognizes that individual substance use is a health issue. CSC provides a range of substance use services, including harm reduction, treatment, psychoeducation, and support in recovery to promote overall wellbeing.

Opioid Agonist Treatment

Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) is available in institution for those who are diagnosed with an opioid use disorder. This includes medication (methadone, buprenorphine or naloxone, buprenorphine extended-release) prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner and a support team to respond to the inmate’s health needs.

In response to the opioid overdose crisis in Canada, the number of inmates on OAT in CSC has increased from 920 in December 2016 to 3431 in December 2024.

The Prison Needle Exchange Program

The Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP) provides inmates with access to sterile needles to limit the transmission of infectious diseases, such as HIV and HCV. A Threat Risk Assessment (TRA) Model, like the one currently in effect for EpiPens and insulin needles, is used to determine which inmates can participate.

The objectives of PNEP are to:

• facilitate referrals to available drug-dependence treatment programs, including mental health services and OAT
• reduce the sharing of needles
• reduce the transmission of blood-borne viral infections, including HIV, and HCV; and
• reduce the occurrence of skin infections related to injection drug use and decrease the need for health care interventions related to injection-site abscesses

As of March 2025, the PNEP has been implemented at 14 program sites in 13 institutions. As of December 6, 2024, 537 inmates have been approved since the program began. As of March 31, 2025, there have been no reported assaults on employees or inmates involving needles used in the PNEP program.

The Overdose Prevention Service

First implemented in 2019, the Overdose Prevention Service (OPS) provides a safe location within the health care area of an institution where sterile equipment can be used during consumption. During this time, health care staff are available to provide health teaching, counselling and respond to medical emergencies and overdoses.

The primary goal of the OPS is to prevent overdose deaths by having health care professionals present during the use of substances who can respond to medical emergencies. Inmates are allowed to bring a personal amount of illicit drug to the site for consumption under the observation of a health care professional.

As of December 2024, OPS is available at 5 institutions across the country. A total of 146 inmates have been approved and there have been 2,776 OPS visits.

11.3 Health Centre of Excellence

In December 2024, CSC received Project Approval from the Treasury Board for the construction of a new Health Centre of Excellence (HCoE).

The facility will be located in CSC’s Atlantic Region on existing CSC property in Dorchester, New Brunswick. The project is expected to take place over an 8-year period, from fiscal year 2024 to 2025, to 2031 to 2032.

The goal of the HCoE is to strengthen CSC’s capacity to meet both physical and complex clinical and mental health needs of federal offenders from across Canada. The facility will have a 155-bed capacity and will replace the current Shepody Healing Centre, which is in disrepair.

The HCoE increases the number of in-patient beds available for inmates serving as CSC’s only bilingual, “treatment-first” facility that is purposefully designed to house and treat men and women with enhanced physical and mental healthcare needs. The intent is that the HCoE will serve as a model for future enhancements to other CSC health care units (such as Regional Treatment Centres) in the coming years.

Delivery of quality health services and programming within CSC will be significantly modernized, which includes design of technological advancements and increased access to technology, all while enabling CSC to advance a model of care that is holistic, interdisciplinary, integrated, and incorporates cultural, gender and trauma-informed considerations.

This new facility will align with Government of Canada horizontal initiatives, some of which include accessibility, sustainability in support of the Greening Government Strategy, gender diversity, Indigenous reconciliation, official languages, and digital strategies.

CSC is working closely with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), who is leading the procurement, design, and delivery of the new facility. To date, the project has completed pre-design phases including the identification of project requirements, options analyses, cost estimates, functional planning of the spaces, early design elements for the facility, and schematic design.

As of December 2024, the Government of Canada announced that the Request for Qualifications stage of the procurement for the project was complete with 3 proponents qualifying through this process. Work is currently ongoing to complete steps required for a Request for Proposals procurement phase with a Contract Award following the bid evaluation process.

12. Women offenders

12.1 Creating choices

In 1989, the federal government commissioned a task force to review CSC's approach to the management of federally sentenced women and to chart a new direction in a manner responsive to their unique needs. In 1990, the task force released its report called Creating Choices.

This led to the closure of Prison for Women and the opening of 5 new correctional facilities and a healing lodge for incarcerated women. It introduced a new correctional philosophy and approach for women's corrections which is holistic, research-based and guided by 5 principles:

• empowerment
• meaningful and responsible choices
• respect and dignity
• supportive environments, and
• shared responsibility

The principles are the foundation for women's corrections and the driving force behind a number of innovative changes, including institutional design, correctional interventions, operations, mental health interventions, human resources, and the Mother-Child program.

Today, CSC continues to make powerful strides in women's corrections. Federally sentenced women comprise a small proportion of the total federal offender population, and we recognize their unique needs.

Over the last 35 years, correctional and social programming has continued to evolve to reflect emerging evidence-based research on what works with federally sentenced women. We are committed to ensuring women are given the support and programs needed for their rehabilitation and successful reintegration to the community as law-abiding citizens.

12.2 Mother-child program

The Institutional Mother-Child Program was piloted in 1997 and implemented in 2001. The objective of the program is to foster positive relationships between mothers and their children by keeping them together, where appropriate, and providing a supportive environment that promotes stability and continuity to the relationship.

This program is available in all women's institutions and at the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. It offers a range of options for incarcerated women to develop, maintain and/or strengthen the bond with their children.

A cohabitation component of the Mother-Child Program enables children to stay with their mother while they are incarcerated on a part-time (under 7 years old) or a full-time basis (under 5 years old.) Other bonding services are also available to all incarcerated mothers including in-person and video visits, counselling, education, legal and mediation support/liaison with child and family agencies, reading programs, and pre- and post-natal services.

The best interests of the child are the primary consideration in all decisions relating to participation in this program. This is done by ensuring the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the child, as well as the safety and security of the institution.

There have been close to 200 participations in the cohabitation component of the Mother-Child Program since it was implemented.

As of March 1, 2025, there were 4 children participating in the Mother-Child Program.

Safety of children in the program

Children and mothers have safely participated in the Mother-Child program for over 20 years.

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 could access the other bonding services.

Participation in the program is voluntary, and participating mothers have full responsibility for their children. Children may also be supervised by approved, security-screened and trained babysitters and are never left unattended.

13. Gender diverse offenders

CSC is committed to ensuring that gender diverse offenders receive the same protections, dignity and rights as other offenders under its care, custody, and supervision. In response to legislative changes (Bill C-16) and following extensive consultations, CSC issued Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 100: Gender Diverse Offenders in May 2022. This directive provides overarching policy direction applicable to all staff working with gender diverse offenders. 

CSC has a Gender Considerations Secretariat (GCS), which serves as a centre of expertise on matters related to gender diverse offenders. The GCS supports CSC operations across the country, offering awareness and guidance to staff and offenders to ensure that the health, safety and dignity of everyone is respected.

Penitentiary placements and transfers

Under policy, CSC may place or transfer a gender diverse offender to an institution that better aligns with their gender, unless there are overriding health or safety concerns. All requests to be placed in or transferred to a different institution type (men’s or women’s), are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Each request requires a thorough assessment of the offender’s needs and risks, as well as any health or safety concerns, considering possible mitigation strategies, including an assessment of the ability to address identified concerns. The request may be denied, if overriding health or safety concerns are identified and cannot be effectively resolved without constituting undue hardship. Where requests to be placed or transferred to a site that better aligns with their gender identity or expression are denied, alternative measures to meet the offender’s needs will be put in place at their current institution.

Health services for gender diverse offenders

Essential physical and mental health care, including gender-affirming care, is provided in accordance with CSC’s National Essential Health Care Framework (“the Framework). As they provide care to inmates, Health Services staff must consider the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care.

Health care to inmates in custody ensures that accountability, consistency, and best practices tailored to the needs of CSC’s population, including gender diverse offenders. The Framework defines consistent access to health care and outlines the specialized services available, based on individual offender needs, as determined by health professionals. Guided by this Framework, CSC’s essential health services are aligned with professionally accepted standards and the care coverage provided by provincial and territorial publicly funded health care systems. The Framework is reviewed and approved annually, ensuring that CSC does not exceed the level of health care available through provincially public-funded health and social services programs.

14. Ongoing initiatives

14.1 CORCAN

General

• Research demonstrates that offenders who participate in CORCAN employment and employability programs are more likely to find employment in the community, as well as offenders that are employed in the community are less likely to reoffend or return to federal custody

• CORCAN's role is to support CSC's mission and corporate priorities by assisting offenders through a successful reintegration in the community. CORCAN has five business lines: Manufacturing, Textiles, Construction, Services, and Agriculture during their incarceration. Employment support services and interventions continue throughout their release into the community, including transitional employment

CORCAN advisory board

• The CORCAN Advisory Board members provide support to CORCAN by advising senior management on the best way to position CORCAN given the current economic climate, while also promoting the value of CORCAN to Canadian citizens

• The CORCAN Advisory Board is comprised of up to 12 members, who are appointed by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, as per Section 108 of the CCRR. There are currently 9 active CORCAN Advisory Board members

Penitentiary agriculture program

• Implementation of the Penitentiary Agriculture Program commenced in fiscal year 2018 to 2019 and continues in a phased manner. In March 2021, CSC updated its Penitentiary Farm Program at Joyceville and Collins Bay institutions to focus its dairy operations on the dairy cow program

• As of October 30, 2024, under the designated research of Dairy Farmers of Ontario, CORCAN commenced shipping cow milk. As of the end of December 2024, CSC is at the formal designed capacity of the main Joyceville dairy barn of 86 production milking cows. CORCAN will continue to focus on total herd management to ensure it has the appropriate numbers for its milking capacity

• CORCAN has created linkages with Dairy Farmers of Ontario and McGill University for various research and vocational training opportunities for offenders participating in the Agricultural Program

• Products generated through the agriculture program, including produce, crops, milk, and other potential by-products of these operations will be determined by internal use requirements, agreements and contracts signed as implementation occurs and products are available

• CSC will continually re-evaluate its operations as the plan is executed and will consider elements such as sustainability and market availability, noting that dairy cow milk will be managed in accordance with Canada’s system of supply management for this product. All revenues generated are reinvested into the offender employment and employability program

Progress

• CORCAN Community Industries offered on-the-job and vocational training through transitional employment at 7 locations across the country

• 23,494 vocational training certificates were earned throughout the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, including:
  • 15,059 for non-Indigenous men offenders
  • 1,266 for non-Indigenous women offenders
  • 5,951 for Indigenous men offenders

  • 1,218 for Indigenous women offenders

• 630 National Employability Skills Program (NESP) certificates earned throughout 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, including:
  • 451 certificates for the NESP for men offenders
  • 25 certificates for the NESP for women offenders
  • 102 certificates for the NESP for Indigenous men offenders
  • 52 certificates for the NESP Indigenous for women offenders

14.2 National offender digital education initiative

Digital Education Pilot

CSC is modernizing its education programs and increasing offenders’ access to digital education and computer-based learning. In 2020, CSC successfully launched the Digital Education Project (DEP) pilot in the Ontario region. The pilot provided computer-based learning, allowing offenders to gain foundational computer skills while upgrading their education and increasing their digital literacy.

National Offender Digital Education

The National Offender Digital Education (ODE) initiative was developed building on the successes, best practices and, lessons learned from the DEP Pilot.

Through this national initiative, offenders have access to education courses on a digital Learning Management System that uses secure and restricted Internet access. The digital education platform is similar to an Intranet, whereby offenders have secure and monitored access to only the digital learning platform. The ODE uses a blended classroom environment, linking the traditional classroom approach with modern technology and independent learning.

Offenders complete courses towards their high school diploma. There are courses that focus on Indigenous languages and culture, as well as courses that contribute to obtaining workplace certifications and post-secondary credentials. The digital learning management system also allows CSC teachers to customize content immediately to address cultural needs, cognitive, and other offender learning challenges to make offenders’ learning more relevant and engaging.

Partnerships with colleges and organizations have enabled CSC to increase access and availability of post-secondary opportunities for offenders. For example, post-secondary micro-credential courses are available and can lead to industry recognized certifications (such as, carpentry, truck driver, et cetera.). The ODE is available in at least 1 federal institution in every region in Canada (CSC has 5 regions), with plans for a further expansion underway.

14.3 Recruitment and training academies

The Correctional Training Program (CTP) is a training program designed to provide the opportunity for potential Correctional Officers and Primary Workers to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position prior to commencement of duties within a correctional environment.

Recruits are trained in cohorts of between 20 to 32 recruits, depending on training location. Each year, between 30 to 34 cohorts are formed.

For the currently fiscal year (2025 to 2026), CSC has a need for 576 new Correctional Officers across the country. To meet this goal, the CTP must be delivered to 31 cohorts across all training sites.

Stage 1: 80 hours

• Online, self-directed training program, completed on a period 4 to 5 weeks
• This stage can be completed a few weeks/months before the candidates are invited to stages 2 and 3

Stage 2: 40 hours

• Online, self-directed training program, completed on a period of 2 to 4 weeks
• This stage also provides recruits with some time to comply with Human Resource requirements and/or make personal arrangements prior to attending the in-class portion (Stage 3)

Stage 3: 516 hours (66 days)

• In-class at 1 of CSC’s designated training locations, conducted by qualified Staff Training Officers, completed on a period of 14 weeks (66 days)
• A large component of the program is dedicated to Decision-based training (DBT) that uses a variety of scenarios
• Use of Force Simulator Training Systems are now included in the training for firearms component. CSC is also developing the use of the simulators for judgmental training in the near future

The initial CTP is delivered at various temporary locations across the country including Kingston, Ontario; Summerside, PEI; Laval, Quebec; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Abbotsford, BC. CSC’s long-term goal is to secure permanent facilities to support sustainable program deliver