Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP)

Privacy impact assessment summary

Electronic Sharing of Offenders' Information with Post-Penal Agencies

Post-penal agencies are community-based residential facilities (also known as "half-way houses") owned and operated by non-government agencies or by Correctional Service Canada (CSC). Each agency-owned facility works with CSC to provide accommodation, counselling and supervision to 15 to 30 offenders who are usually on day parole. CSC is responsible for providing each of these agencies with comprehensive documentation on each offender referred to them prior to the offenders' release. This is an integral part of CSC's business practices.

The proposed sharing method will involve the establishment of a virtual private network (VPN) using an internet connection between CSC's Offender Management System and the agencies' computer terminals. This will provide for the secure and timely exchange of personal information about offenders.

The purpose of the PIA was to examine CSC's plans to use information technology to share personal information about offenders with post-penal agencies that participate in the administration of the supervision and rehabilitation of offenders.

The assessment demonstrates that the proposed information sharing method was developed in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

Privacy risks have been identified as part of the assessment and are being addressed.