Implementing The Life Line Concept: Report Of The Task Force On Long Term Offenders

Appendix C - Standards And Guidelines

LIFE LINE CONCEPT

PART I - LIFELINE CONCEPT

1. In its complete form, the Life Line Concept is based on three components: In-Reach service, community programs and services, and public education.

IN-REACH SERVICE

2. Lifers and termers who have been well reintegrated into society form ties with offenders serving a life or indeterminate sentence, encourage them, actively encourage them to get the most out of the correctional programs that are offered, participate in the development of new programs in the institutions and constitute resource persons for staff.

3. In addition to service delivery and support functions, the In-Reach Worker is a source of hope, as he is living proof that there is life after life imprisonment. He supports lifers in their parole hearing, temporary absence, unescorted temporary absence and judicial review procedures.

4. In-Reach Workers, who continue to follow up on lifers even after their release, act as important intermediaries between the institution and the community, because they make it possible to maintain family ties during the long period of incarceration.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

5. This component is aimed at responding to the needs of offenders serving a life or indeterminate sentence who are on some form of release. The objective is to encourage the offenders, improve the planning and management of the sentence, and offer support for reintegration to the community, through a combination of programs and residential and non-residential services that respond to the specific needs of these offenders.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

6. In-Reach Workers are also involved in this function, which consists of raising the public's awareness of lifers and termers with a view to increasing the public's understanding of and support for released offenders, as well as in making presentations to schools, community organizations and at-risk youth groups.

7. Several features can be cited to describe the unique nature of the Life Line Concept.

• a) It gives paroled lifers an opportunity to help other lifers, both inside the institution and within the community.
• b) It enables a partnership to be established between the offenders, the community organizations and the Service.
• c) It brings together several community organizations, which ordinarily work independently of one another but which direct their energies towards the same goals.
• 8. Life Line services are available on a voluntary basis to all offenders who do not have a warrant expiry date.

PART II - IN-REACH WORKERS

OBJECTIVE

9.

• a) Adapt case management practices and correctional programs to the needs of long term offenders.
• b) Using In-Reach service and ongoing intervention mechanisms, create an opportunity to motivate the offenders and to encourage them to take advantage of the resources in place in order to facilitate their gradual reintegration, under supervision, into society.

CORE SERVICES

10. The In-Reach Worker's main responsibilities are as follows:

• a) Establish contact with newly sentenced of re-admitted lifers during the reception and initial placement stage of their sentence.
• b) Actively encourage individual lifers to contribute to the management of their own sentences by informing them of the programs available, the case management process, and other appropriate resources in institutions and in the community; and by encouraging offenders' meaningful participation in conditional release programs for which they are eligible.
• c) Maintain an regular interview and contact schedule with lifers and provide encouragement and advice throughout their sentences.
• d) Maintain ongoing liaison with case management staff and keep up-to-date on Correctional Service of Canada and National Parole Board policies in order to assist in the co-ordination of the lifer's correctional plan, productive use of institutional time, preparation for release and reintegration into the community.
• e) Assist lifers with preparation for legal hearings and, by mutual consent, attend or participate in such hearings.
• f) Participate in education and awareness sessions for Correctional Service of Canada and National Parole Board staff and managers, community organizations and the general public.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

11. Every month, the In-Reach Worker must provide the organization to which he is under contract with a report describing the nature and frequency of the activities carried out and, more specifically:

• a) the number and nature of one-to-one and group interviews held with the offenders;
• b) the number of consultations held with case management officers concerning the needs, plans and progress of specific offenders;
• c) the number of lifer-group meetings the In-Reach Workers attended;
• d) the number and nature of the tasks carried out in relation to the lifer groups;
• e) the number of contacts established with the community
• f) the number and nature of the meetings attended by the In-Reach Workers and of the presentations they made to the public;
• g) the number and nature of the other services provided.

12. Every three months, the contracting agency reviews the activities of the In-Reach Worker to ensure that they conform to the terms of the contract. It also prepares comments on the worker's adherence to the conditions of the contract. The review report is sent, for information purposes only, to the Correctional Service of Canada employee charged with managing the service contract.

SELECTION OF CONTRACTORS

Personal Service Contracts

13. The service contract may not be awarded to an individual unless there is no agency that can provide the desired type and quality of service.

Contracts With Organizations

14. Preference should be given to contractors with community accountability mechanisms. These include, but are not limited to,:

• a) a legally incorporated body duly recognized by the provincial government and governed by a board of directors;
• b) annual meetings to report back to members;
• c) a mission statement containing the profile of the clients served, the nature of the services offered and the general goals of the agency;
• d) the ability to provide, coordinate and obtain a variety of community support services that address the needs of termers;
• e) a written policy concerning staff management and conflicts of interest, as well as a statement of ethics and a code of conduct;
• f) an arrangement that protects employees against legal action by means of professional liability insurance.

15. Potential contractors must be able to prove their previous or ongoing experience in justice- and correctional-related fields, experience which has brought them into contact with the corrections system and offenders serving life or indeterminate sentences. Their knowledge and experience should be in the areas of personnel, program execution or service delivery.

16. Agencies interested in obtaining the contract should be able to:

• a) propose in writing a staff development plan specifying, among other things, measures aimed at maintaining and upgrading staff skills;
• b) ensure rigorous training and/or supervision of the In-Reach Workers;
• c) help prioritize the services offered;
• d) monitor the service provided by the In-Reach Worker(s);
• e) ensure security initiation as required by the institution.

17. In-Reach Worker selection is carried out by the contractor in cooperation with the Correctional Service of Canada and the National Parole Board. Normally, the contractor should strike a selection committee, the composition of which should include at least one Correctional Service of Canada and National Parole Board staff member.

18. Profile of desired candidates:

In-Reach Workers should:

• a) be lifers or long term offenders who have demonstrated successful reintegration by responsible, crime-free living in the community while on full parole for a minimum of five years;
• b) be accepted and recognized by the Correctional Service of Canada, the National Parole Board, other lifers, and the community as a responsible role model;
• c) demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the needs of long term offenders during the incarceration and community phases of their sentences, as well as a knowledge of the correctional system;
• d) possess effective verbal and written communication skills;
• e) demonstrate the ability to work both independently and within a team;
• f) demonstrate the willingness to conform to the rules governing the operation of Correctional Service of Canada institutions, Escorted and Unescorted Temporary Absences and parole supervision; and
• g) be eligible for enhanced reliability security screening.
• h) Training and/or experience in the field of social sciences, social services, communications, or community development is advantageous but not a prerequisite.

19. In selecting In-Reach Workers, every effort shall be made to represent cultural and gender diversity of the offender population.

LEVEL OF SERVICE

20. In allocating In-Reach Workers, the contractor should normally allow for one In-Reach Worker per 125 offenders.

SUPERVISION OF IN-REACH WORKERS

21. In-Reach Workers are not employees of the Correctional Service of Canada and must not be supervised or treated as such. Consequently, it is up to the agencies that hire them to ensure their supervision. Individuals hired on contract must be treated as self-employed workers.

22. While it is necessary and preferable to maintain ongoing links between Correctional Service of Canada staff and In-Reach Workers to facilitate program and service coordination, questions relating to contractual compliance can only be handled by the contractor and the manager responsible for the contract.

INFORMATION COLLECTION, SHARING AND MANAGEMENT

23. Contracts for In-Reach services should have clear provisions respecting the following:

• a) the types of offender-related information Correctional Service of Canada must provide to the contractor;
• b) conditions under which the contractor will safeguard the confidentiality of information provided to them by offenders, and when they must report such information;
• c) clear information about physical security measures to safeguard offender-related information held by the contractor;
• d) provisions for documenting that offenders are given access to reports on them being submitted to Correctional Service of Canada by the contractor.

REVIEW AND EVALUATION

24. These standards are to be included in the regular contractual compliance reviews conducted by the Correctional Service of Canada, with input from the National Parole Board.

PART III - RESIDENTIAL & OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES

OBJECTIVE

25. To provide specialized residential day or full parole and aftercare services for offenders serving life or indeterminate sentences, to include supervision, personal support, direct assistance, guided social reintegration services, and psychological and other special needs counselling/programming, leading to their productive, responsible, independent, law-abiding living in the community.

26. To occasionally provide residence as a crisis intervention measure for offenders serving life or indeterminate sentences already in the community on full parole.

CORE SERVICES

27. Pre-release

• a) prison visitation beginning as early as possible in the sentence, in collaboration with In-Reach services;
• b) networking with the Correctional Service of Canada institutional and community case management and other treatment resources in planning for acceptance and eventual release;
• c) after acceptance for residency, Unescorted Temporary Absences or Work Releases to the residence, including direct travel accompaniment or transportation on at least the first Unescorted Temporary Absence to the residence.

28. Residency

• a) upon residency, structured living and house rules;
• b) during residency, distinct gradual progression of increasing liberties and self-responsibilities spanning a period of up to three years;
• c) length of residency is determined by the risk and needs of the individual offender.

29. Programs and Services

• a) Individual plan of care jointly adopted and regularly monitored by the resident, the residence and the parole officer;
• b) liaise with and provide information and support to the families of prospective or current residents upon the request of either party;
• c) provision of or referral to treatment programs and other services required to meet special needs;
• d) provision of life skills, including financial management and shopping for personal needs and groceries, and resumé-writing, and job search assistance and training;
• e) access to literacy training (including computer literacy), and academic educational and/or vocational training as available in the community;
• f) access to religious services in the community;
• g) access to community volunteer workers in the residence;
• h) community service and public education opportunities;
• i) leisure and recreational activities and physical exercise facilities.

STANDARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

30. Both the residential or other community resource and the Correctional Service of Canada agree to fulfil the standards in this document, the Community-based Residential Facility Standards and other usual contractual terms and conditions.

31. Correctional Service of Canada will provide a dedicated parole officer to the residential program.

32. A community admissions advisory committee must be established, to include the participation of the residence, the Correctional Service of Canada, police, victim and neighbourhood representation and, as needed, other community resources.

33. Personnel must be trained in the issues of long term incarceration, management of hostility, anger and violence, crisis prevention or intervention, use/abuse of power and control, role-modelling, and social learning theory.

34. Personnel support systems, including Employee Assistance Program and special traumatic incident stress management and support, must be in place.

35. A communications plan must be established, including community and media relations, and public education which includes the use of outside volunteers and the residents volunteering in community services and/or public education activities.

REVIEW AND EVALUATION

36. These standards and accountabilities are to be included in the regular contractual compliance reviews conducted by the Correctional Service of Canada, with input from the National Parole Board.

37. When the number of offenders having completed the residential programs and services becomes high enough to provide adequate data, a jointly-managed evaluation study by a recognized expert(s) will be conducted.

PART 1V - PUBLIC EDUCATION

OBJECTIVE

38. To achieve an informed corrections personnel and general public in the issues of lifers in the institutions and on parole in the community, with a view to providing information to sensitize them to the security and safety, needs, challenges and potentials of lifers and the services being provided to them. The expected result is increased institutional and community support of the Life Line Concept and services, and minimized negative reaction to sensational events.

CORE ACTIVITIES

39. These activities are undertaken by the Life Line principals in consultation and collaboration as feasible with the other two partners, the Correctional Service of Canada and the National Parole Board, a network established at the national, regional and local community levels.

40. Local Community Level

• a) provide ongoing information and positive news to the neighbours and the community;
• b) volunteer workers, including student placements, working in the programs;
• c) residents and non-resident clients doing community service and volunteering in other community services;
• d) using the resources of a pool of local supporters which includes the lifers themselves and victims, to undertake speaking engagements, including in the schools and at conferences and workshops;
• e) meeting with students and others seeking more information on the issues;
• f) providing media releases and other publicity;
• g) providing written materials for distribution;
• h) providing an audio-visual library for public consumption;
• i) participating in research projects; networking with other community agencies and other related resources.

41. Regional Level

• a) informing the inmate population, especially lifers and the lifers' groups, of all three Life Line components' services at the institutional, community and national levels;
• b) using the resources of a regional pool of supporters which includes lifers themselves and victims, to undertake speaking engagements, including in the schools, to the United Ways and at conferences and workshops;
• c) presenting the Life Line Concept and programs to staff training and development exercises in the Correctional Service of Canada, the National Parole Board and related service providers;
• d) providing media releases and interviews;
• e) providing presentations to official consultative exercises;
• f) assisting the lifers' groups' community service projects, including fund-raising events;
• g) participating in institutionally-based educational events, especially those sponsored by the lifers' groups;
• h) participating in crime prevention projects, especially involving the young offender;
• i) providing written materials for distribution;
• j) providing an audio-visual library for public consumption;
• k) participating in research projects;
• l) networking with other related local and regional correctional and justice groups, and service providers and other resources.

42. National Level

• a) liaising with the public education events of the regional and local levels;
• b) publishing a quarterly Communiqué distributed to the appropriate National Parole Board, Correctional Service of Canada and Life Line representatives at all levels across the country;
• c) undertaking speaking engagements, including to meetings of related national associations and organizations, using the resources of a national speakers' pool comprised of proponents and experts which include lifers and victims;
• d) relating to the national media and their editorial boards in collaboration with the Correctional Service of Canada and National Parole Board partners, using the resources of the speakers' pool;
• e) providing consultation to national justice and correctional public education strategists, legal/penal reform exercises and other program development task forces and committees, using the resources of the speakers' pool;
• f) supporting positive related developments and achievements by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, especially by the National Parole Board and the Correctional Service of Canada, including making the resources of the speakers' pool available to the Commissioner of Corrections and the Chairman of National Parole Board and other senior officials in reporting to bodies such as the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Justice;
• g) providing presentations to national and international conferences and symposia, using the speakers' pool;
• h) networking with related national justice groups and service providers.

STANDARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

43. Public Education policy and strategy are based within an overall Communications Plan at each level.

44. A tripartite Communications Plan is developed and implemented, in conformity with the following principles:

• a) There must be a unique message and single spokesperson;
• b) spokespersons must be responsive, forthcoming and spontaneously open;
• c) There must be a well-prepared and approved concise message (which answers the 5 "W's") for major identified audiences;
• d) Communications is both consultation and networking;
• e) Special meetings with related media editorial boards and other related strategic groups should be held.

45. The local community initiatives must have the following in place:

• a) Education of Agency's Membership, Board of Directors and Committees;
• b) Community Admissions Advisory Committee;
• c) Collaboration with the local parole office.

46. The following activities must take place at the regional level:

• a) Education of Sponsoring Organization's Membership, Board of Directors and Committees;
• b) Collaboration with the Communications personnel of the Correctional Service of Canada and the National Parole Board.

47. The following activities must take place at the national level:

• a) Education of National Resource Group's constituencies, in particular the Communications Branches of the Correctional Service of Canada and National Parole Board, as well as the Life Line principals;
• b) Ongoing environmental scans as foundation for public education activities of the full related networks.

REVIEW AND EVALUATION

48. Annual compliance reviews by the related local level and regional Correctional Service of Canada contracting authorities, should be conducted, including input by the National Parole Board.

49. Annual self-evaluation is to be conducted by the Life Line National Resource Group in relation to the above standards and accountabilities.

50. Annual assessment of the local and regional compliance reports and the Life Line annual reports is to be conducted by the Life Line National Resource Group.