Correctional programs for men

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) offers the Integrated Correctional Program Model (ICPM) for male offenders. In this section you will find information on the:

• program model
• ICPM programs, which also includes information on the:
  • primer
  • main program:
    • the multi-target programs
    • the sex offender programs
  • maintenance program
  • motivational module
    
• community program
• final reports
• policy and legislation pertinent to correctional programs for men

The program model

CSC has based ICPM on models of what works in correctional rehabilitation, including cognitive-behavioural approaches. The integrated nature of ICPM allows offenders to address all of their criminal behaviour under one program umbrella. This works because even if offenders have diverse patterns of offending and different criminal offences, the program focuses on:

• commonalities that lead to criminal behaviour
• common interests
• individual circumstances and application of skills

The ICPM programs begin by identifying the criminogenic risk factors for each offender. These are then reframed into personal targets. These are the goals that are identified in order to work towards their successful reintegration. The ICPM model teaches offenders a broad range of skills to target multiple risk factors. The program’s structure allows offenders to better understand the interplay between:

• their multiple risk factors and
• how the same skill sets can be used to effectively manage them

The model addresses many patterns of offending and risky behaviour, including:

• sexual offending
• intimate partner violence
• crime for gain
• general violence, and
• substance abuse

Offenders can start to work towards successful reintegration into the community by learning skills and strategies to address their risk factors and achieve their personal targets.

The program teaches skills to help offenders deal more positively with challenges in the community. Over time this reduces their risk of reoffending. The skills include:

• problem-solving
• goal setting
• social
• communication and interpersonal
• emotional arousal-reducing
• skills to identify, challenge and replace thinking which supports risky and criminal behaviour
• self-management, including self-monitoring

The programs use a mix of:

• group discussions
• exercises
• role plays
• opportunities to practice, and
• homework assignments

This mix allows offenders with different learning styles to get the most out of the programs.

Programs for Indigenous men provides details of the Indigenous Integrated Correctional Program Model (IICPM). The AICPM is a culturally-appropriate stream of this program for Indigenous offenders.

ICPM programs

The ICPM includes four distinct correctional program streams for men offenders:

• multi-target
• Indigenous multi-target
• sex offender
• Indigenous sex offender

Each of these streams includes a:

• primer program
• main program
• maintenance program

A motivational module is also provided to enhance the program as needed.

Primer program

All offenders referred to one of the four program streams start off with a primer. A primer is a readiness program that has four goals:

• identify the factors that led to the offender’s criminal activity
• set personal targets to address these factors
• motivate offenders to see the benefits of participating in a correctional program
• teach offenders basic self-management skills to cope with challenges

Research indicates that the highest motivation to change is right at the beginning of an offender's sentence.^{Footnote 1} Offenders should ideally complete the primer during intake. If not, they should complete it as soon as possible after placement in a penitentiary. Offenders serving sentences of four years or less get priority for completing the primer during intake.

The primers differ in length depending on the ICPM stream:

• multi-target primer has 10 sessions
• Indigenous multi-target primer has 11 sessions
• sex offender primer has 11 sessions
• Indigenous sex offender primer has 12 sessions

Main program

ICPM targets dynamic factors related to criminal behaviour. It uses social learning and cognitive-behavioural strategies. Its main objectives are to:

• teach skills that help reduce risky and/or harmful behaviour
• assist in changing anti-social attitudes, beliefs and associates

The skills taught include:

• goal setting
• problem-solving
• interpersonal and communication skills
• coping skills
• arousal-reducing strategies
• self-management skills

While taking into consideration the risks, needs, and responsivity of offenders the program also focuses on:

• building therapeutic alliances
• fostering offender motivation to achieve meaningful, crime-free goals

The ICPM main program has four different streams:

• ICPM Multi-target
• Indigenous Integrated Correctional Program Model (AICPM) Multi-target
• ICPM Sex Offender
• IICPM Sex Offender

ICPM Multi-target

The ICPM Multi-target has different intensity levels.

The high intensity program is for offenders with a high risk to reoffend. It:

• has a total of 92 sessions (87 group sessions and 5 individual sessions)
• is normally co-facilitated
• accommodates groups of up to 12 participants
• has up to 6 sessions per week

The moderate intensity program is for offenders with a moderate risk to reoffend. It:

• has a total of 51 sessions (46 group sessions and 5 individual sessions)
• is delivered by a single facilitator
• accommodates groups of up to 10 participants
• has up to 6 sessions per week

The adapted moderate intensity program is for offenders with a moderate risk to reoffend, but who have deficits in functioning. These deficits interfere with the offenders' ability to take part in, and learn from, traditional correctional programming. They could include:

• cognitive impairments
• mental health problems, and/or
• learning disabilities

This program:

• has a total of 67 sessions (62 group sessions and 5 individual sessions)
• is delivered by a single facilitator
• accommodates groups of up to 6 participants
• has up to 5 sessions per week

ICPM Sex Offender

CSC refers men who have committed sexual offences to ICPM Sex Offender (ICPM-SO) when an assessment shows that they are at risk of reoffending. The parole officer and the correctional program officer assess this risk during intake. They reassess risk as the offender progresses through programs (i.e., primer, main program, institutional maintenance, and community maintenance).

Research shows that most sex offenders also demonstrate other kinds of criminal behaviour. So, as well as risk factors linked to sexual offending, the ICPM-SO targets risk factors linked to:

• general crime
• general violence
• family violence
• crime for gain
• substance abuse

Correctional program officers deliver the program in a group situation using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques. The ICPM-SO integrates all the topics and skills covered by:

• the multi-target program

The program also includes strategies to address factors linked to sexual offending:

• problematic sexual arousal
• sex for coping
• sexual preoccupation
• emotional identification with children
• intimacy deficits
• hostility towards women

The high intensity sex offender program is for men who have offended sexually and are at high risk to reoffend. It:

• has a total of 108 sessions (100 group sessions and 8 individual sessions)
• is normally co-facilitated
• can accommodate groups of up to 12 participants
• has up to 6 sessions per week

The moderate intensity sex offender program is for men who have offended sexually and are at moderate risk to reoffend. It:

• has a total of 62 sessions (57 group sessions and 5 individual sessions)
• is delivered by one facilitator
• can accommodate groups of up to 10 participants
• has up to 6 sessions per week

The adapted moderate intensity sex offender program is for offenders with a moderate risk to reoffend, but who have deficits in functioning. These could include:

• cognitive impairments
• mental health problems, and/or
• learning disabilities

These deficits interfere with the offenders' ability to take part in, and learn from, correctional programming. This program:

• has a total of 77 sessions (72 group sessions and 5 individual sessions)
• is delivered by a single facilitator
• accommodates groups of up to 6 participants
• has up to 5 sessions per week

Maintenance program

Offenders who have completed an ICPM program may need to complete a maintenance program. CSC offers:

• in institutions:
  • Institutional Maintenance Program (IMP)
  • Institutional Maintenance Program Sex Offender (IMP-SO)
  • Indigenous Institutional Maintenance Program (IIMP)
  • Indigenous Institutional Maintenance Program Sex Offender (IIMP-SO)
• In the community:
  • Community Maintenance Program (CMP)
  • Community Maintenance Program Sex Offender (CMP-SO)
  • Indigenous Community Maintenance Program (ICMP)
  • Indigenous Community Maintenance Program Sex Offender (ICMP-SO)

The main goal of these programs is to reduce the risk of re-offending. Offenders will:

• review core self-management skills
• apply skills to real-life situations
• gain, rehearse, and maintain skills learned throughout their sentences

These programs:

• are for offenders with a high and moderate risk to re-offend who need more support
• can accommodate groups up to 10 participants
• are comprised of cycles of 12 to 13 sessions that each focus on a specific theme and skill set

Maintenance programs allow staff to re-assess an offender's progress on an ongoing basis. Based on their progress and their needs, an offender may be encouraged to participate in one or several maintenance cycles. This flexibility improves the risk management process.

Offenders may continue to be referred to maintenance throughout their sentence, as needed.

Motivational module

Offenders who fail to complete programs, typically present the greatest risk of reoffending.^{Footnote 2} Thus, CSC also provides a motivational module to enhance the program as needed. The motivational module is for offenders who:

• are not motivated to take part in correctional programs (refuser stream)
• have trouble staying in programs (dropout stream), or
• who have difficulty grasping program concepts and need more support while in program (support stream)

The refuser and dropout streams engage offenders and help them to successfully complete an ICPM program. They:

• are structured interventions that take place in the institution
• are normally delivered one-on-one
• include up to 4 hours of interaction with a correctional program officer (CPO)

Through the support stream, program staff work with offenders to help them complete an ICPM program. Some offenders have issues (literacy, cognitive functioning, etc.) that need extra time and support for them to understand and apply the skills taught in the program.

CSC refers offenders to these modules as needed.

Community program

The community program is for moderate to high risk offenders who:

• have been released into the community and
• have not yet completed their correctional programming

This program is a combination of elements from the primer and the main program(s). Its goal is to prepare offenders to integrate into a community maintenance program:

• Community maintenance program

It is not a replacement for the ICPM program that the offender should have completed in the institution.

Offenders identify their risk factors and develop personal targets. This program provides offenders with the skills, insight and competencies needed to make community maintenance relevant and effective for them.

The community program:

• has 17 sessions; there are 4 extra sessions for sex offenders
• is delivered by a single facilitator
• accommodates groups of up to 10 participants

The delivery schedule varies based on the geographic location.

Final reports

At the end of each ICPM program, the correctional program officer (CPO) writes a standard format report, which is entered into the Offender Management System (OMS). The report includes:

• attendance and participation
• top risk factors and how each contributes to the offender's crime process
• analysis of progress in working towards personal targets
• recommendations for risk management

Policy and legislation

CD 700 Correctional Interventions applies to all staff involved in correctional interventions. It outlines their responsibilities and the procedures associated with the correctional intervention process.

CD 726 Correctional Programs outlines the purpose and procedures for all correctional programs delivered in our institutions. The process includes assessments, planning, interventions, and decision-making.

• GL 726-1 National Correctional Programs Standards outlines how CSC ensures programs effectiveness and integrity.
• GL 726-2 National Correctional Programs Referral Guidelines helps interventions staff ensure the correct referrals are made, based on risk.
• GL 726-3 National Correctional Program Management Guidelines ensures a consistent approach to programs management, monitoring, and delivery.

Corrections and Conditional Release Act, Sections 3, 3.1, 4, 5(b), 15.1, 26, 76, 77, 79 and 80 outline information about programs for offenders.

Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations, Section 102 states that CSC must include program requirements for inmates in their correctional plans.