Commissioner's Directive

POLICY OBJECTIVE

1. To establish procedures for the authorization, possession, control and protection of offender property.

Authorities

2. Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA), paragraph 96(p)

Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations (CCRR), sections 84, 85 and 96

APPLICATION

3. This Commissioner's Directive applies to staff managing offender personal property at institutions and Community Correctional Centres.

RESPONSIBILITIES

4. The Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs, will ensure the National Lists of Personal Property for Men/Women Inmates (Annexes B and C) are reviewed annually.

5. The Director General, Security, will consult with regions annually and, if necessary, update the National Lists of Personal Property for Men/Women Inmates. The lists will vary based on the security level of the institution.

6. The Regional Deputy Commissioner will ensure:

1. control and consistency of purchasing practices; and
2. issues related to personal property including transportation, receipt, storage, safekeeping, packaging, purchase and disposal are addressed.

7. The Institutional Head/District Director:

1. will ensure offender personal property is authorized as per the National List;
2. may, as required, restrict items including those on the National Lists, based on concerns related to institutional security limitations, safety and health of persons, and Fire Code restrictions (as per Fire Safety Manual); and
3. will ensure offenders are informed orally and in writing of policies and procedures relating to personal property.

8. The Institutional Head:

1. will establish a list of businesses from which inmate purchases will be made, and where required, a delegate, not below the Assistant Warden level, will approve purchases from any other business;
2. will authorize purchases from other countries;
3. or delegate, may authorize an inmate to give personal property to another inmate when there is an immediate family relationship; and
4. may prescribe limits on the entry into a penitentiary and the use by inmates of publications, video and audio materials, films and computer programs as per section 96 of the CCRR.

9. The Deputy Warden, or delegate not below the level of Assistant Warden, will approve non-essential health care items (including medical bracelets), religious, spiritual or cultural articles, educational textbooks or supplies, and arts and crafts raw materials following consultation with the appropriate department.

10. The Manager, Community Correctional Centre, will establish a process to record and manage personal property.

11. The Assistant Warden, Operations/Correctional Manager, Operations, will ensure procedures are in place for the control, recording, storage, transfer and disposal of inmate personal property.

12. The Admission and Discharge Officer will verify, record using the Offender Management System Renewal – Offender Personal Property module (OMSR-OPP) and store all personal property of inmates.

13. The Correctional Officer/Primary Worker will review and record all personal property of inmates when required.

PROCEDURES

Institutions

Authorized Personal Property

14. Inmates will normally be allowed to retain the following items providing they are consistent with the National Lists of Personal Property for Men/Women Inmates and do not pose a risk to the safety of the institution:

1. items, which were in the inmates' lawful possession at the time of admission or readmission to their placement institution, or in their lawful possession on transfer, unless indicated otherwise for reasons of safety, health or security and the security level of the institution;
2. items, which are received from outside sources within 30 days of admission or readmission to their placement institution (the Institutional Head may authorize, on a case by case basis, extension to this time period where warranted);
3. items purchased as per CD 860 – Inmate's Money, following the 30-day admission or readmission period to their placement institution;
4. a maximum of twenty (20) computer floppy diskettes (1.4 MB – 3.5 in/90 mm) for inmates who possess approved computers and five (5) computer floppy diskettes for inmates accessing institutional supplied computers; and
5. cross-gender apparel or related items (if these items are authorized following consultations with a Psychologist or Physician, on a case by case basis).

15. Where an inmate has escaped lawful custody and is then returned to his/her placement institution, the return to custody will not be considered an admission or readmission. The inmate will not be entitled to 30 days to receive effects from outside sources unless the inmate's personal property items have been disposed of in accordance with section 85 of the CCRR.

16. CSC is not responsible for the costs of delivery of personal property.

17. The Inmate Personal Property Record will be kept current and the inmate will accept responsibility in writing for the safekeeping and reasonable use of the personal property retained in the cell/room.

18. Money is not an authorized item and will be dealt with as per CD 860 – Inmate's Money.

19. Credit and/or debit cards are not authorized. They will not be retained in the institution. The inmate will cover any expense involved in his/her choice to have the cards:

1. returned to the issuing firm;
2. sent to someone outside the institution for safekeeping;
3. stored in a safety deposit box outside the institution; or
4. destroyed.

20. Inmates will be permitted to receive photographs, except Polaroid type, as per CD 764 – Access to Material and Live Entertainment.

21. Authorized items currently in an offender's possession that are not on the National Lists of Personal Property for Men/Women Inmates will remain in their possession for the life of the items. However, if any item presents a risk to the security of the institution, staff, or inmates, or is not compliant with CD 345 – Fire Safety or the Fire Safety Manual, it will be removed and stored with the inmate's stored effects or disposed of according to policy. The reason for such action will be documented and the inmate will be advised in writing.

22. All electronic items issued for cell use will be properly sealed and marked with a CSC-approved tamper-proof tag and one or more of the following personal identifiers:

1. a serial number;
2. the inmate's name;
3. an engraved locator number; or
4. a bar code.

23. Inmates are not permitted to give, trade, loan, rent or sell personal or other property to other inmates directly or indirectly. Unauthorized exchange of property between inmates may result in a disciplinary charge.

24. Inmates who have approved personal computers, peripherals and software, which were authorized as personal effects prior to October 2002, will be permitted to retain this equipment until the time of their release from the institution or violation of the conditions as specified in:

1. Technical Requirements for Inmate-Owned Computers and Electronic Games, Annex D; or
2. form Inmate Statement of Consent to Abide by Conditions Governing Inmate-Owned Computers (CSC/SCC 2022), which must be signed by the inmate.

25. Televisions purchased by offenders must not have the following: USB ports, memory card ports or any other types of ports allowing connection to external storage media. They must not have any networking capabilities and must not be capable of wireless communications. They must have a headphone jack and be a maximum of 16 inches screen size. CRT and flat screens (LCD, LED or equivalent) technologies are authorized. Televisions purchased must be of models that have been evaluated and deemed compliant.

26. Inmates who own personal stereos with detachable speakers, which have been identified on their Inmate Personal Property Record, will be permitted to retain this equipment. However, these items are no longer approved for purchase, as per the National List of Personal Property for Men/Women Inmates.

27. Prior to approving non-essential health care, religious, spiritual or cultural articles, educational textbooks or supplies (including a dictionary and/or thesaurus), and arts and crafts raw materials, the Deputy Warden or delegate, not below the Assistant Warden level, will consult with the head of the appropriate department and consider security and fire safety requirements.

28. Chaplains, Elders or spiritual advisors will recommend religious, spiritual and cultural items for approval by the Deputy Warden or delegate, not below the level of Assistant Warden. When warranted, consultation will occur with the Interfaith Committee at National Headquarters.

29. The Deputy Warden or delegate, not below the level of Assistant Warden, may disallow religious and cultural items if it is determined, in consultation with Chaplains, Aboriginal Elders or spiritual advisors, that the religious or cultural items are being used in a way other than what was intended.

30. Normally, inmates will be allowed to keep canteen and canteen-like items in their cells as per CD 890 – Inmates' Canteen. However, the Institutional Head may designate alternate storage areas for certain items providing that the inmate has reasonable access to these items.

Dollar Value of Authorized Items

31. The combined dollar value of allowable items (in cell and in storage) as set out in the National Lists of Personal Property for Inmates will not exceed $1500.

32. For inmates participating in the Institutional Mother-Child Program, children's personal effects will be considered separate from the mother's and will not exceed $750 (not including furniture).

33. Jewellery not exceeding a total of $300, medical bracelets approved by Health Services and religious, spiritual or cultural items may be allowed. The value of these items is not included in the $1500.

34. The combined dollar value of authorized computer hardware, software and peripherals will not exceed $2500. The dollar value of these items is assessed at the time of the inmate's admission to the placement institution.

35. The total value of canteen items allowed in an inmate's cell is limited to $90 including $20 worth of stamps. This includes canteen-like items purchased through groups approved by the Institutional Head.

36. Holiday canteen items will be added to the $90 limit as per CD 890 – Inmates' Canteen. The holiday canteen items will not be kept in an inmate's cell beyond February 1st of each year.

37. The value of an item registered on the Inmate Personal Property Record will not be reduced over the course of the item's life.

Inmate Personal Property Record

38. Inmates' personal property items will be registered on the Inmate Personal Property Record contained in OMSR-OPP, or on a hobby craft permit, and will not be issued until a reasonable value, including any applicable taxes, is assigned. Any approved items obtained by purchase following the 30-day period will be listed at the purchase price, including taxes.

39. Jewellery, electronic equipment and items valued above $100 will be recorded on the Inmate Personal Property Record, photographed, and the inmate will sign the Personal Property Record to confirm its authenticity.

40. Prior to assigning a value to an item, the Admission and Discharge Officer will consult with the inmate. Where there is disagreement, the value of the item will be determined and registered by the Admission and Discharge Officer. If the inmate considers that an item has no monetary value, and the Admission and Discharge Officer agrees, the item will be recorded on the Inmate Personal Property Record as having no value ($0.00).

41. Compensation for items of sentimental value will be considered only for those items to which a monetary value was assigned. The monetary value of an item of sentimental value must be registered on the Inmate Personal Property Record.

42. Where the Admission and Discharge Officer and the inmate cannot come to an agreement on the value of a jewellery item, the inmate will be given the choice of sending the item to someone outside the institution, or of having the item appraised by an expert chosen by CSC. The appraisal will be paid for by the inmate.

43. The Admission and Discharge Officer will retain the original Inmate Personal Property Record and give a copy to the inmate. Any non-perishable items purchased through groups approved by the Institutional Head will also be registered on the Inmate Personal Property Record. All property, including newly purchased items, will be issued through the Admission and Discharge Officers following recording on the Inmate Personal Property Record.

Hobby Craft

44. Raw materials and tools for hobby craft items will be registered on the hobby craft permit. A monetary value will be assigned to the raw materials and tools. This value will not be included in the $1500 limit for cell effects.

45. The inmate may be authorized to keep the finished hobby craft item in his/her cell for personal use if it does not present a risk to the safety and health of persons, security of the institution and Fire Code requirements. As well, the assigned value of the item must be within the allowable limit for cell effects.

Repair of Electrical Property

46. Following a written request by the inmate, repairs to inmate-owned electrical property will be performed out of the institution, by a licensed repair facility approved by the Institutional Head or delegate, at the inmate's expense.

47. Stereos with detachable speakers, which are no longer functioning, may be repaired or replaced with an approved stereo on the National List of Personal Property for Men/Women Inmates.

Security

48. To ensure the safety of the public, staff and inmates as well as the security of the institution, all items entering or leaving the institution will be thoroughly searched for contraband and unauthorized items.

49. Inmates are not permitted to send any form of electronic media (e.g. CDs, diskettes) through the mail to destinations outside of CSC institutions.

50. If an inmate uses cell property in a manner that could jeopardize the safety of any person or the security of the institution, the Institutional Head or designate may confiscate the item. The reasons for such action will be documented and the inmate will be advised accordingly in writing. The confiscated item may be returned to the inmate if the safety of persons and the security of the institution are no longer jeopardized.

51. When a personal property item has been tampered with, it will be considered an unauthorized item and dealt with as per CD 568-5 – Management of Seized Items.

52. Where a personal property item is deemed to contravene fire and/or safety policies, the item will be seized and disposed of as per CD 568-5 – Management of Seized Items. The reason for such action will be documented and the inmate will be advised in writing.

53. As per CD 764 – Access to Material and Live Entertainment, personal property items containing the following will be seized and disposed of as per CD 568-5 – Management of Seized Items (the reason for such action will be documented and the inmate will be advised in writing):

1. material which contains detailed information on the fabrication of any type of weapons or the commission of criminal acts;
2. material which advocates or promotes genocide or hatred of any identifiable group that may be distinguished by colour, race, religion, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, or by other specific traits;
3. sexually-oriented material involving violence, coercion, compulsion, force, bodily harm or threats or fear of bodily harm, or other similar acts;
4. sexually-oriented material involving children; and
5. material which advocates or promotes activities of criminal organizations, gangs, and/or terrorist groups.

54. Inmates in shared accommodation may be charged under paragraphs 40(e), (i) or (j) of the CCRA, when it is believed that both offenders committed an offence relating to possession of stolen property, contraband and/or unauthorized items.

55. All routine cell searches and search plans will require verification of cell property against the Inmate Personal Property Record, his/her hobby craft permit and this directive.

56. Items not on the Inmate Personal Property Record or hobby craft permit may be seized as unauthorized items (as distinct from contraband) as per CD 566-9 – Searching of Cells, Vehicles and Other Areas.

Storage of Personal Property

57. Personal property held in storage will be recorded and updated when items are added to or retrieved from storage.

58. Property accepted for storage will be restricted to 0.085 cubic metre. The Institutional Head may provide extra storage for double-bunked inmates.

59. Personal property exceeding the storage limit will be removed/disposed by:

1. shipping the item to a location indicated, in writing, by the inmate, at his/her expense; or
2. if the inmate refuses, the Institutional Head will authorize the removal/disposal of the items and either donate the items to a charitable organization, destroy unusable items or send the item(s) to Crown Assets Distribution Centre as per Treasury Board policy.

60. Valuables and important documents (not exceeding $1000) will be recorded on the Inmate Personal Property Record and will be securely stored in a fireproof cabinet or safe. Items stored in this manner will be photographed and the inmate will sign the Inmate Personal Property Record to confirm its authenticity. The photograph and the Inmate Personal Property Record will be stored electronically in OMSR-OPP and will remain in the Admission and Discharge file.

61. Personal item(s) that exceed $1000, or that cause the $1000 limit to be exceeded, will be sent out of the institution at the inmate's expense.

62. Personal property such as knives, other dangerous items, cell phones, pagers, other communication devices, medication, passports, and other items deemed unauthorized within the institution will not be stored in the Admission and Discharge Area. These items will be sent out of the institution at the inmate's expense, sent back to the issuing office/department or disposed of in accordance with CD 568-5 – Management of Seized Items.

Removal and Transfer of Cell Property

63. When possible, prior to transfer or release, the inmate will pack his/her personal property within their cell and take it to the Admission and Discharge Area.

64. Normally, the inmate's personal property will accompany him/her at the time of the transfer, with consideration given for essential items.

65. For interregional and intraregional transfers, property accompanying the inmate may be restricted to 0.085 cubic metre.

66. When the inmate takes his/her effects to the Admission and Discharge Area prior to transfer or release, the Admission and Discharge Officer will:

1. verify the personal property against the Inmate Personal Property Record, including stored property. Unauthorized items will be recorded and managed as per CD 568-5 – Management of Seized Items;
2. verify and record the general working condition of electronic equipment status on the Inmate Personal Property Record upon admission and at the time of transfer or release from the institution;
3. record the number of boxes;
4. seal the boxes in the presence of the inmate; and
5. complete the Admission and Discharge portion of the Inmate Clearance Form (CSC/SCC 1012).

67. When the inmate is unable to pack his/her personal property or when the inmate is to be absent temporarily, the cell will be immediately secured. The date and time at which the cell was secured and subsequently opened will be duly noted in the Unit Log Book. Where the cell cannot be secured as a result of shared accommodation, a secure area will be assigned to protect personal property.

68. Where the packing is not done by the inmate, two staff members will pack and, without delay, list all effects on Inmate Personal Property (Cell Property Removal) (CSC/SCC 0872).The effects will be checked against the Offender Personal Property system and the hobby permit, and discrepancies noted. Both staff members will sign the list and forward a copy to the inmate as soon as possible.

69. When commercial shipping is required, the sending institution or parole office will retain copies of the invoices and packing slips. Commercial shipping will be paid by the sending institution. The receiving institution will ensure that the property delivered corresponds to records and will notify the sending institution of any loss or damage to inmate's personal effects. The sending institution will file a claim to the commercial shipping company for the damage or loss of shipped effects.

70. Following the arrival of the inmate, the Admission and Discharge Officer will:

1. verify the personal property against the Inmate Personal Property Record, including stored property. Unauthorized items will be recorded and managed as per CD 568-5 – Management of Seized Items;
2. verify and record the general working condition of electronic equipment status on the Inmate Personal Property Record; and
3. note broken seals on any boxes on the document transmittal and receipt notice.

71. The receiving institution will normally issue personal items to the inmate within 10 working days after the effects have been received in the institution's Admission and Discharge Area.

Removal/Disposal of Personal Property

72. At the inmate's written request, personal property will be removed/disposed by:

1. deleting the item from the Inmate Personal Property Record or from his/her hobby craft permit, ensuring that the inmate signs to confirm the transaction;
2. shipping the item to a location indicated, in writing, by the inmate, at his/her expense; or
3. transferring ownership to the institution Inmate Personal Property Transfer (CSC/SCC 0175), which may then donate the item to a charitable organization, destroy unusable items or send the item(s) to Crown Assets Distribution Centre as per Treasury Board policy.

73. Where the inmate has escaped or is at large without lawful excuse pursuant to section 145 of the Criminal Code, the Institutional Head will dispose of the inmate's personal property as per section 85 of the CCRR.

74. When an inmate dies while in custody, his/her personal property will be searched and verified against the Inmate Personal Property Record and hobby craft permit after the cell is released by police. The Institutional Head may authorize the release of the inmate's effects. The effects will then be packaged and stored in a secure area until they are released to the next of kin, or disposed of as per section 119 of the CCRR.

Loss or Damage

75. Compensation for loss of or damage to items in institutions, including unfinished hobby craft projects, will be made as per GL 234-1 – Claims Administration Instructions.

Community Correctional Centres

Authorized Personal Property

76. Offenders are permitted authorized items contained in the National Lists of Personal Property for Men/Women Inmates. In addition, communication devices, debit and credit cards may be authorized at the discretion of the Manager, Community Correctional Centre.

Loss or Damage

77. CSC is responsible for items stored at a Community Correctional Centre and recorded on Inmate Personal Property (Cell Property Removal) (CSC/SCC 0872). Any loss or damage to stored property can be claimed by the offender as per CD 234 – Claims Against the Crown and the Offender Accident Compensation Program.

Storage of Personal Property

78. Offenders will be provided with an individualized locked storage space to securely store their personal property. For security reasons, staff will have access to these storage spaces.

79. Personal property stored by the Community Correctional Centre will be kept in a secure locked room or secure storage units and will be recorded and tagged while stored.

80. Personal property which exceeds the allowable limit of 0.085 cubic metre and any other personal property will be stored by the offender outside of the Community Correctional Centre. Additional space may be provided at the discretion of the Manager, Community Correctional Centre.

81. Items removed from storage will be recorded as removed, and will not be returned to storage, unless it is a result of a new release or cancellation of suspension, or a seasonal item (e.g. bicycle).

Removal/Disposal of Personal Property

82. When an offender's release is suspended, normally two staff members and/or contractors will remove and catalogue all effects using Inmate Personal Property (Cell Property Removal) (CSC/SCC 0872), including those effects held in storage on behalf of the offender.

83. Staff and contractors will ensure that the effects recorded in the Offender Personal Property System are packed and transported to the next of kin in a safe and secure manner. If required, arrangements can be made to have next of kin retrieve the offender's effects. Proof of identity as well as a signature from next of kin is required upon receipt of all effects.

84. Following the suspension of an offender's release or walkaway from the Community Correctional Centre, staff will verify and record the general working condition of electronic equipment status using the form Inmate Personal Property (Cell Property Removal) (CSC/SCC 0872).

85. In the event that there is no known next of kin or community contact, the offender's personal property will be disposed as per section 85 of the CCRR.

Loss or Damage – Community-Based Residential Facilities

86. Offenders will be advised that CSC is not responsible for personal property kept in the offender's room in a Community-Based Residential Facility.

87. Where loss or damage to personal property takes place in a contracted facility:

1. the offender will submit a claim to the facility operator;
2. the facility operator will investigate the claim and render a decision; and
3. if the offender is not satisfied with the decision, a grievance may be submitted in accordance with CD 081 – Offender Complaints and Grievances.

88. Should the grievance be upheld and CSC determines that the Community Residential Facility operator has not fulfilled contractual obligations, the Service will pay the claim and withhold the amount of the claim from the contract payment, as specified in the contract.

Enquiries

89. Strategic Policy Division
National Headquarters
Email: Gen-NHQPolicy-Politi@CSC-SCC.GC.CA

Annex A: Cross-references

Cross-references

• CD 081 – Offender Complaints and Grievances
• ISD 225 – Information Technology Security
• CD 234 – Claims Against the Crown and the Offender Accident Compensation Program
• GL 234-1 – Claims Administration Instructions
• CD 259 – Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke
• CD 345 – Fire Safety
• CD 550 – Inmate Accommodation
• CD 566-7 – Searching of Inmates
• CD 566-9 – Searching of Cells, Vehicles and Other Areas
• CD 568-5 – Management of Seized Items
• CD 573 – Control of Items Critical to the Security and Safety of Institutions
• CD 580 – Discipline of Inmates
• CD 702 – Aboriginal Offenders
• CD 737 – Inmate-Operated Business Enterprises
• CD 760 – Leisure Activities
• CD 764 – Access to Material and Live Entertainment
• CD 767 – Ethnocultural Offenders Services and Interventions
• CD 768 – Institutional Mother-Child Program
• CD 860 – Inmate's Money
• CD 890 – Inmates' Canteen

Annex B: National List of Personal Property for Men Inmates

Annex C: National List Of Personal Property For Women Inmates

Annex D: Technical Requirements For Inmate-owned Computers And Electronic Games

1. The following requirements are based on CSC's ability to reasonably assess and regulate various risks associated with inmate-owned computers and electronic games in a correctional setting.

Additional Cross-References

• 2. CD 573 – Control of Items Critical to the Security and Safety of Institutions
• CD 764 – Access to Material and Live Entertainment
• ISD 225 – Information Technology Security

Conditions

3. Inmates who have approved personal computers, peripherals and software, which were authorized as personal effects prior to October 2002, will be permitted to retain this equipment until the time of their release from institution or violation of the conditions specified in this annex or form Inmate Statement of Consent to Abide by Conditions Governing Inmate-Owned Computers (CSC/SCC 2022). These inmates were required to sign this form.

4. The combined dollar value of authorized computer hardware, software and peripherals will not exceed $2500. The dollar value of these items is assessed at the time of the inmate's admission to the placement institution. Any repairs will be valued at the purchase price.

5. The value of authorized computer, hardware, software or peripherals registered on the Inmate Personal Property Record will not be reduced over the course of its life, including at the time of transfer.

6. All inmate computers and peripherals will be properly sealed and identified, in accordance with paragraph 22 of this directive.

7. If the seal has been tampered with or unauthorized software or hardware is found in the inmate's cell or on the computer, it will be considered unauthorized use. The computer, the hardware and/or software will be immediately seized and the computer will be detained for a more detailed examination.

8. Any confirmed unauthorized software, hardware or illicit usage or indication of tampering with security seals may result in the permanent removal of the inmate-owned computer and peripherals.

Allowable Computer Configurations and Related Peripherals

9. All approved inmate-owned computers must fall within the conditions outlined in these technical requirements and will not exceed the following standards:

• One IBM™ or IBM™ compatible "stand-alone" desktop computer or other previously authorized computer (e.g. Apple, Commodore, Amiga, Macintosh, Atari) which does not exceed the following standards:
  • a central processing unit (CPU) with an unlimited processor speed;
  • unlimited random access memory;
  • one 1.44 Mb floppy drive;
  • one compact disk (read-only memory) drive;
  • 20 CD-ROM disks obtained only from approved vendors ("homemade" CDs and CDs offered as promotional items are not acceptable);
  • up to two hard drives with unlimited storage capacity;
  • one sound card;
  • video card (capable of displaying a computer signal only);
  • one keyboard (wired);
  • one mouse or cordless mouse;
  • two serial ports;
  • one parallel port;
  • joysticks;
  • one colour monitor not to exceed 15";
  • two external speakers;
  • headset and microphone required for voice recognition software;
  • one printer of the dot-matrix or inkjet type (black ribbons or cartridges only);
  • a maximum of 20 floppy diskettes; and
  • hardware, software, and peripherals required to provide computer accessibility for those with visual or physical impairment, when reviewed and approved by the Regional Deputy Commissioner.

10. All other items, including hardware, software, or computer peripherals not listed in this directive or in these technical requirements, are prohibited.

Prohibited Computer Peripherals and Electronic Games

11. All items that meet the following restrictions and/or standards are prohibited:

• laser printers;
• scanners;
• modems (including null modems and fax modems), network cards, wireless hardware devices that can be used to communicate with other computers or peripherals of any type, either in the institution or outside of the institution;
• removable or portable mass storage devices;
• portable computing devices, including laptops, notebooks, palmtops or other miniaturised computing devices;
• add-on FireWire (1394) or USB ports that are not part of the motherboard;
• TV tuner cards;
• electronic game consoles with communication capabilities such as, but not limited to, PlayStation 2, Game Cube, X-Box, Plug and Play preloaded game controllers and DreamCast;
• wireless keyboards or any other wireless devices which can electronically transmit information or data (e.g. wireless networking, Bluetooth, paired USBs, etc.);
• any other computer peripherals or electronic games that have been identified as a security threat by the Information Technology Security; and
• any USB device other than a keyboard or a mouse.

Approved Software or Operating Systems

12. Inmates may possess licensed or registered software for which satisfactory documentation establishing ownership and/or legal acquisition is available. The following types of software that meet the conditions outlined within these technical requirements and do not exceed the following standards, are permitted:

1. any version of Microsoft DOS™, Microsoft Windows up to and including Windows 98™, Windows 98 SE and ME;
2. standard, entry level Office Suites (e.g. Microsoft Office 97, WordPerfect, Microsoft Works), but not including those versions containing prohibited software such as database programs capable of altering or manipulating SQL databases;
3. any type of graphics program; and
4. voice recognition software.

13. All other software or operating systems not listed in this directive or in these technical requirements are prohibited.

Restrictions on Software

14. All software that meets the following restrictions and/or standards are prohibited:

1. technical utilities designed specifically to alter or manipulate executable program or system files (e.g. Norton Utilities™, PC Tools™ and Mace™), but diagnostic and repair utilities normally included in the operating system (OS) are excluded from this prohibition;
2. utilities capable of creating computer "viruses" or other "infections";
3. programs designed specifically to create, modify or compile executable files or program codes;
4. programs designed specifically to allow connectivity to computer networks, but software connectivity capabilities included in the operating system are excluded from this prohibition;
5. any program or file that is in violation of ISD 225 – Information Technology Security, CD 764 – Access to Material and Live Entertainment, and CD 573 – Control of Items Critical to the Security and Safety of Institutions or the Treasury Board Policy on the Resolution and Prevention of Harassment in the Work Place;
6. programs providing "phone book" type data that will provide inmates with access to information that may enable them to locate victims, perpetrate frauds or which may result in the release of sensitive information within the institution that could jeopardize the safety of any individual;
7. software that enables the hiding of information with or without the use of encryption (e.g. Partition Magic, etc.);
8. security defeating software or software that enables the defeating of copyright protection; and
9. any other software that has been identified as a security threat by the Information Technology Security.

Repairs to Inmate-Owned Computers

15. Inmates may have their computers repaired when required, but all repairs must meet the following conditions:

1. be completed in accordance with this annex; and
2. be in accordance with paragraph 46 of this directive.