Commissioner's Directive
Date:
1999-08-20
Number - Numéro:
530
DEATH OF INMATES AND DAY PAROLEES
Issued under the authority of the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada
1. To ensure prompt and appropriate actions are taken by the Service upon the death of an inmate or day parolee.
2. Sections 19 and 20 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. Subsection 116 (1) and sections 117 to 119 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations.
3. An internal inquiry shall be held where all the facts surrounding the death shall be established, verified, recorded and the report forwarded to the Commissioner and the Correctional Investigator.
4. The release form shall be completed and distributed in the normal manner using the date of death as the date of release.
5. The next of kin or the person previously designated by the inmate or day parolee shall be informed of his or her right to claim the remains and of the burial arrangements which will be made if he or she elects not to do so.
6. If the next of kin or a person previously designated by the inmate or day parolee claims the remains, the Service shall be responsible for the cost of transporting the body to a funeral home in the home town of the inmate, the next of kin or person designated by the inmate or day parolee. The cost shall first be a charge against money held in the inmate's trust fund.
7. The body or any part of the body of a deceased inmate may be delivered to a recognized medical school or licensed hospital if the deceased, prior to his or her death, bequeathed his or her body or that part thereof for scientific purposes.
8. If the next of kin does not claim the body, wherever possible, the Service shall respect the wishes of the deceased regarding religious services and disposal of personal effects.
9. The Service shall notify in writing the next of kin or the person previously designated by the inmate or day parolee of:
- the portion of the funeral cost that will be provided by the institutional head when remains are claimed by the next of kin or the person designated by the inmate or day parolee; or
- the funeral arrangements made by the Service when the remains are not claimed by the next of kin or the person designated by the inmate or day parolee.
10. Burial at public expense shall include the provision of appropriate discharge clothing and the installation of a grave marker.
11. When funeral arrangements are made at public expense, any money held in trust for the inmate shall first be used towards reimbursement of these costs.
Original signed by
Ole Ingstrup, Commissioner