Correctional Service of Canada responds to Correctional Investigator's Annual Report

“I welcome the findings and recommendations made by the Correctional Investigator of Canada and his staff as part of their Annual Report.

As with every report from the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI), the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has completed a comprehensive review of its recommendations. We have given these recommendations our full consideration, and our response details the changes we are making in areas where improvements are needed. This response has been provided to the OCI and is available on CSC’s website.

The OCI’s Annual Report identifies issues of mutual concern in the federal correctional system, which helps us fulfill our mandate to support offender rehabilitation and maintain public safety. In some cases, there are mechanisms already in place to address the issues raised by the OCI. For example, CSC has implemented policy amendments and improved training for staff when intervening with inmates who have mental health issues. We are also reviewing how we engage the services of Elders, and are developing tools to support them as key members of case management teams.

I would also like to take this opportunity to emphasize that CSC is committed to a strong policy framework and practices around the control and use of inflammatory agents like Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray. We have committed to review, by early Fiscal Year 2017-18, the accountability around the use of OC spray during a security incident and to ensure it is being used safely and appropriately by trained and qualified staff members when other least restrictive measures are not readily effective.

We are continuing our work with the OCI to address these issues, and to keep Canadians safe by helping offenders become law-abiding citizens.”