Commissioner's Directive

Counts and Security Patrols

PURPOSE

  • To provide direction on counts and security patrols in order to:
    • verify offenders are alive during counts and security patrols of accommodation areas
    • monitor and verify the whereabouts of offenders, the appropriateness of behaviour, and the security of the institution
    • ensure the safety of staff, visitors, offenders and the protection of society, while promoting positive informal interaction between staff and offenders

APPLICATION

  • Applies to staff responsible for counting offenders and conducting security patrols in all institutions, including Community Correctional Centres, as noted

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. The Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs, will establish the minimum standards for counts and security patrols and a quality assurance protocol.
  2. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Operations, will ensure the implementation of the minimum standards for counts and security patrols.
  3. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Integrated Services, will ensure a random selection of range walks for each range/unit and Community Correctional Centre (CCC) in their region is reviewed monthly and will report any concerns or policy gaps to the Regional Deputy Commissioner.

PROCEDURES

  1. The Assistant Warden, Operations, and Manager, Operations, will ensure:
    1. a Standing Order is in place, as outlined in Annex B and authorized by the Institutional Head, that:
      1. details the specific procedures, frequency, and minimum number of formal counts, informal counts, stand-to counts and security patrols in both inmate accommodation areas, other areas of the institution (including private family visit units) and during sacred ceremonies
      2. establishes procedures for the quality assurance protocol for inmate counts and security patrols
    2. a register is maintained of all inmates who are confined to the institution (the register must indicate the inmate’s name, FPS number, and cell assignment) and a list is maintained of all inmates on the register but not in the institution (e.g. inmates in outside hospital, on conditional release, on court order, on bail, unlawfully at large)
    3. a list of inmates assigned to each work or activity area is maintained and updated as required
    4. appropriate action is taken, in accordance with institutional contingency plans, when an inmate is unaccounted for.
  2. The Manager, Community Correctional Centre, will ensure:
    1. a Standing Order is in place, as outlined in Annex D and authorized by the District Director that:
      1. details the specific procedures, frequency, and minimum number of formal counts, informal counts and security patrols in both inmate accommodation areas, other areas of the CCC
      2. establishes procedures for the quality assurance protocol for inmate counts and security patrols
    2. the Standing Order for counts and security patrols is adhered to in accordance with the minimum standards as outlined in Annex D
    3. a Standing Order is in place that outlines the frequency of counts and security patrols in Community Correctional Centres as outlined in Annex D
    4. there is an up-to-date register of offenders assigned to the Community Correctional Centre, including those with in/out privileges and curfews
    5. at least two Community Correctional Centre counts are conducted during each 24-hour period, one of which must be at 24:00 hours.
  3. The Correctional Manager, Operational Desk, will:
    1. ensure inmate counts and security patrols are completed and verified as required
    2. approve a plan and authorize the use of enhanced security equipment (e.g. a shield) to conduct counts and security patrols when situational factors and/or inmate behaviours prevent these from being performed in the prescribed manner.
  4. The Correctional Officer/Primary Worker will:
    1. ensure the presence of a living, breathing body and verify the well-being of the inmates during counts and security patrols
    2. record formal counts in writing and sign the Inmate Count Slip (CSC/SCC 0755)
    3. advise the Correctional Manager, Operational Desk, of situational factors and/or inmate behaviours that prevent the completion of counts and security patrols in the prescribed manner.
  5. The Chief, Health Services (or equivalent), will identify and provide a list of inmates who are unable to respond to, or to perform a stand-to count request due to health conditions or physical limitation.
  6. Staff involved in correctional programs and interventions will ensure they routinely conduct informal counts throughout the duration of their activities.
  7. Offenders must be appropriately clothed during counts.
  8. Informal counts will be conducted on an as needed basis (except in Community Correctional Centres).
  9. When an officer is counting a hospitalized inmate whose physical condition precludes any visible response, health care staff will attest that the inmate is breathing.
  10. Inmates will be counted prior to the release of vehicles in situations where vehicles cannot be thoroughly searched and are not escorted. This does not apply to Community Correctional Centres.

Formal Counts (Excluding Community Correctional Centres)

  1. A minimum of four formal counts during each 24-hour period will be conducted at each institution, which will include:
    1. two stand-to counts at maximum, multi-level and medium security institutions
    2. one stand-to count at minimum security institutions.
  2. A formal count will be conducted of inmates and their visitors participating in private family visits, at least four times in a 24-hour period, at times that are reasonable and respectful of inmates and their visitors. This count must be visual and without obstruction.
  3. During a formal count, inmates will:
    1. be counted by two Correctional Officers/Primary Workers
    2. in medium, maximum and multi-level institutions:
      1. return to their cells, unless otherwise prescribed in a Standing Order
      2. remain in their cell until the count is verified correct
    3. in minimum security institutions and minimum/medium housing units for women offenders, be confined to the area where counted until the institutional count is verified correct.
  4. Exemptions may be made when inmates can still be counted without the necessity of returning them to their cell.
  5. Formal counts will be conducted in accordance with instructions in Annex C.

Stand-to Counts (Excluding Community Correctional Centres)

  1. For maximum, medium, and multi-level security institutions, there will be a minimum of two stand-to counts. One of the stand-to counts will be completed between the hours of 18:00 and 24:00 hours.
  2. For minimum security institutions, one stand-to count will be completed between 18:00 and 24:00 hours.
  3. Inmates unable to respond to a stand-to count due to health conditions will be awake and signal the staff member through an alternative means, normally a hand signal.

Counts in Community Correctional Centres

  1. Staff and/or contractors will conduct, at a minimum, two counts during each 24-hour period, one of which will be at 24:00 hours. During each count, the presence of a living, breathing body will be ensured and the well-being of the offender will be verified. All counts will be documented on the Resident Count Sheet (CSC/SCC 1296).
  2. Where it may be necessary to accommodate a woman offender in a CCC, a female staff/contractor must be available to complete counts during the night shifts.
  3. The CCC Sign In/Sign Out Sheet (CSC/SCC 1297) will be used to record each resident's departures and arrivals. This form will be used to ensure all residents are accounted for. The privacy of offender information will be safeguarded.

Discrepancies in Counts

  1. Discrepancies in counts will be immediately reported to the Correctional Manager, Operational Desk.
  2. Until the count is verified and confirmed, no one will enter or leave the institution (excluding Community Correctional Centres) unless authorized by the Correctional Manager, Operational Desk.
  3. When an offender is unaccounted for at a Community Correctional Centre, the necessary checks will be done, and the procedures set out in CD 568-1 - Recording and Reporting of Security Incidents will be initiated as necessary.

Standards for Security Patrols

  1. At maximum, medium and multi-level institutions, and both the Secure Units and Structured Living Environment at women’s institutions, the security patrols in inmate accommodation areas will be as frequent as possible, but must be at least once every 60 minutes from the beginning of the last patrol. Patrols will be staggered to avoid predictability.
  2. Except in women’s institutions, an additional security patrol will be conducted between the hours of 23:00 and 07:00 hours at maximum, medium and multi-level institutions.
  3. At minimum security institutions (excluding Community Correctional Centres), Healing Lodges/Healing Villages, and women’s institutions other than in the Secure Units and Structured Living Environment, patrols of accommodation areas will be within 120 minutes from the beginning of the last patrol. Patrols will be staggered to avoid predictability.
  4. At Community Correctional Centres, staff and contractors on the day and evening shifts will periodically verify that the offenders in the facility are accounted for and according to the frequency established in the Standing Order.
  5. During security patrols, staff and contractors will ensure the presence of a live breathing body and verify the well-being of the offenders. In situations where it is not possible for staff or contractors to ascertain if the offender is alive and not in distress, they will interact with the offender in a manner consistent with CD 560 - Dynamic Security and Supervision to verify his/her well-being.
  6. If situational factors, including inmate behaviours, prevent the Correctional Officer/Primary Worker from being able to conduct a count or security patrol in the prescribed manner, it will be conducted in accordance with CD 600 - Management of Emergencies. Where time and circumstances permit, the following procedures will be applied:
    1. the Correctional Manager, Operational Desk, will be immediately informed
    2. the Correctional Manager, Operational Desk, will authorize a plan that will include the deployment of a minimum of three officers with minimally the following requirement:
      1. an officer equipped with a video camera
      2. the plan must be documented in a Statement/Observation Report.
  7. Staff in all institutions, excluding Community Correctional Centres, will record irregular activities and observations in a Statement/Observation Report.
  8. Staff and contractors in Community Correctional Centres will use the duty log to record their verifications and any irregular activities and observations
  9. During security patrols, the Correctional Officer/Primary Worker, Correctional Manager/CCC staff or contractor will be provided with, and use, a means of communicating with their co-workers
  10. Where there is a heightened need to observe an inmate, special procedures will be detailed in the unit log book and will be followed by all staff.
  11. The data from the electronic and/or written register of all security patrols will be reviewed by a Correctional Manager at the completion of each shift to determine compliance and quality. The review will assess:
    1. the frequency and duration of the security patrols
    2. any patrols which were not completed
    3. any irregularities
    4. the need for any follow-up action.

Women's Institutions

  1. In women offender institutions, all security patrols will be conducted in accordance with CD 577 - Staff Protocol in Women Offender Institutions, including in emergency situations.
  2. As it relates to children present in women offender institutions as part of the Institutional Mother-Child Program, security patrols and formal counts will be conducted in accordance with CD 768 - Institutional Mother-Child Program.

Commissioner,

Original Signed by:
Don Head

ANNEX A

CROSS-REFERENCES AND DEFINITIONS

CROSS-REFERENCES

CD 001 - Mission, Values and Ethics Framework of the Correctional Service of Canada
CD 004 - National Standards for the Deployment of Correctional Officers
GL 005-1 - Institutional Management Structure: Roles and Responsibilities
CD 560 - Dynamic Security and Supervision
CD 566 - Framework for the Prevention of Security Incidents
CD 567-1 - Use of Force
CD 567-2 - Use of and Responding to Alarms
CD 568-1 - Recording and Reporting of Security Incidents
CD 577 - Staff Protocol in Women Offender Institutions
CD 600 - Management of Emergencies
CD 706 - Classification of Institutions
CD 714 - Community Correctional Centre Standards
CD 768 - Institutional Mother-Child Program
CD 800 - Health Services

DEFINITIONS

CCC count: a process by which each offender residing in a CCC is accounted for and recorded in an official record.

Formal count: a process by which each inmate is accounted for and assessed as alive and not in distress. The results are recorded in an official record.

Informal count: a process by which an inmate is accounted for during a specific time and/or activity, without disrupting his/her activities.

Security patrol: observation of designated areas of the institution to ensure the security of the institution and the well-being of offenders. During security patrols in accommodation areas, the presence of a living, breathing body must be ensured and the well-being of the inmate must be verified.

Stand-to count: a formal count of inmates in a standing position, facing the counting staff member to ensure facial identification is made, except in cases where exemptions for health conditions or physical limitations have been identified.

ANNEX B

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR STANDING ORDERS ON COUNTS AND SECURITY PATROLS (EXCLUDING COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTRES)

The Standing Order will identify:

  • the number and type of counts to be conducted (e.g. stand-to counts, formal, informal)
  • times the counts are to be conducted
  • procedures for counting inmates/visitors in private family visit units
  • procedures for counting inmates participating in sacred ceremonies or activities
  • which staff is responsible for counts of certain areas
  • procedures to report and record results of counts and security patrols
  • procedures for discrepancies in counts and security patrols
  • chain of custody process for data collectors
  • procedures to assess data from security patrols at the completion of each shift to identify:
    • the duration of the security patrol
    • patrols which were not completed
    • any irregularities
    • need for follow-up action
  • how to identify limitations and exemptions associated with stand-to counts
  • special procedures where there is a need for heightened observation
  • gender requirement of counts (if applicable)
  • that unless a situation or observation is serious (e.g. life threatening), the count is the priority, not the minor problem
  • *at women’s institutions only* – procedures for counting children who are present in accordance with CD 768 - Institutional Mother-Child Program.

ANNEX C

FORMAL COUNTS OF INMATES (EXCLUDING COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTRES)

The Correctional Manager, Unit/Correctional Officer/Primary Worker will:

  • advise inmates that a count is about to take place
  • ensure accuracy and provide for a measure of staff safety - unless otherwise stated in Post Orders, two officers will count the same range/accommodation area at the same time.

The Correctional Officer/Primary Worker conducting the count will:

  • carry a pen-light or issued flashlight while making counts
  • wear assigned security material (e.g. pocket mask), as required
  • verify a living, breathing body is present in the cell/area and make an assessment of the inmate's well-being
  • in the case of security patrols and formal counts in women offender institutions where children are present, pursuant to CD 768 - Institutional Mother-Child Program, the Primary Worker will ensure the child(ren)'s presence and well-being is verified during each of the security patrols and formal counts of inmates. Unless it is necessary to verify the health or well-being of the child(ren), they will not normally be awoken and/or required to stand (e.g. during stand-to counts)
  • immediately advise the Correctional Manager if a life threatening situation is identified
  • as part of every stand-to count, ensure each inmate presents himself/herself in a standing unsupported position
  • verify that the correct inmate is in the proper cell/room
  • mark down the cell/room number of any unoccupied/empty cell(s), mark down the total number of living, breathing inmates that are visually observed and identify the range or accommodation area he/she has just counted
  • complete and sign without delay the formal count slip
  • ensure the count slip is delivered to the Correctional Manager conducting the formal count.

ANNEX D

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR STANDING ORDERS ON COUNTS AND SECURITY PATROLS FOR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTRES

The Standing Order will identify:

  • the number and type of counts to be conducted (e.g. stand-to counts, formal, informal)
  • times the counts are to be conducted
  • procedures for counting offenders participating in activities
  • which staff/contractor is responsible for counts
  • procedures to report and record results of counts and security patrols
  • procedures for discrepancies in counts and security patrols
  • special procedures where there is a need for heightened observation
  • gender requirement of counts (if applicable).

For more information

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