Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks
Description
This Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) describes the activities of the Canadian Forces Service Prison and Detention Barracks (CFSPDB) in managing the CAF’s only correctional facility for members serving a sentence up to 729 days. For members sentenced to incarceration for longer than 729 days, after serving the initial 729 days, they are transferred to federal or provincial correctional authorities to serve the remainder of their sentence. Based on their sentence, inmates of the CFSPDB may return to their CAF unit after completing their incarceration or may be released from the CAF.
The CFSPDB operates similarly to other correctional facilities in that there is a significant amount of privacy invasive activities which are necessary to maintain a safe and secure facility, such as searches of inmates and cells, mail inspection, telephone call monitoring, supervision of visitation, and the use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV).
The CFSPDB program structure is to train and rehabilitate an inmate so they are better prepared to return to being a productive member of the CAF. Therefore, inmates behave as a military member through their movements in the facility and the manner in which they interact with staff. Their days are occupied with training, cleaning, and physical activity – all with the purpose of rehabilitation and returning the member back to their unit better equipped to succeed.
CFSPDB records include those related to inmates, but also next of kin, visitors, and victims. Those records are, for the most part, collected, retained, and accessed only by CFSPDB personnel and the inmate’s home CAF unit. However, in limited instances, the CFSPDB may disclose personal information to organizations outside of DND/CAF; specifically, to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) or provincial correctional authorities when an inmate is transferred out of the CFSPDB, to law enforcement to assist with apprehending escapees, and to next of kin in the event medical emergencies.
Lastly, the CFSPDB may be contacted by victims (of inmates) to obtain information about their perpetrator, such as release date. The CFSPDB receives those requests and ensures the appropriate information is provided to the victim, while also (where necessary) protecting the identity of the victim.
Why a privacy impact assessment was completed
A PIA on the CFSDPB has never been authored, therefore, based on PIA requirements of the TBS Directive on Privacy Practices, it was determined that a PIA is required.
Additional information
The PIA identified a number of risks which will see improvements in the Privacy Notice Statements issued to inmates, visitors, and victims and to the retention and disposition of records.
Also, the risks will assist in ensuring the CFSPDB exhaustively adheres to new security and privacy requirements within the National Defence Act for victim information, as well as ensure appropriate information technology security assessments are timely completed.
Lastly, the PIB (DND PPE 863) requires significant updates to reflect proper transparency regarding program activities. Through this PIA, a request to modify the PIB has been submitted to the Treasury Board for approval.
All mitigation actions aim to address and manage privacy concerns effectively, ensuring that all updates and changes to the CFSPDB maintain high standards of privacy protection.
Related personal information banks
Service Prison and Detention Barrack Records (DND PPE 863)
For more information about this privacy impact assessment
DND/CAF Directorate of Access to Information and Privacy
Email: ATIP-AIPRP@forces.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-901-6720
Online request: Access to information and Privacy online request