Commissioner's Directive

Policy Bulletin 254

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Annex A - Community Assessment Content Guidelines

POLICY OBJECTIVE

1. The objective of a Community Assessment is to provide complete, accurate and quality information that will assist in the correctional process. Community Assessment Reports enable staff to identify and confirm the level of support available to an offender while he or she is incarcerated and upon release.

AUTHORITIES

2. Corrections and Conditional Release Act

Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations

CROSS-REFERENCES

3. CD 700 - Correctional Interventions

CD 701 - Information Sharing

CD 702 - Aboriginal Programming

CD 704 - International Transfers

CD 705-1 - Preliminary Assessments and Post-Sentence Community Assessments

CD 705-3 - Immediate Needs and Admission Interviews

CD 705-4 - Orientation

CD 715 - Community Supervision Framework

CD 715-1 - Community Transition and Post-Release Assessment

CD 715-2 - Community Supervision and Monitoring

CD 715-3 - Post-Release Decision Process

CD 726 - Correctional Programs

CD 767 - Ethnocultural Offender Programs

RESPONSIBILITIES

4. Parole Officers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the information concerning offenders is as accurate, up to date and complete as possible.

5. Where required, a Parole Officer will ensure that an updated Community Assessment is completed when the existing information is considered out of date or invalid.

PROCEDURES

6. For procedures regarding Post-Sentence Community Assessment Reports, refer to CD 705-1 - Preliminary Assessments and Post-Sentence Community Assessments.

7. A Community Assessment Report is completed where:

1. there is a new source of community information and/or support(s), which includes new sources of community information and/or supports for proposed section 84 releases;
2. the existing information needs to be updated;
3. a cancellation of the suspension is being considered and the offender's release plan is in another area;
4. information is required for an inter-regional transfer, international transfer, escorted temporary absence, unescorted temporary absence (72 hours or less), private family visit, and/or work release not involving nightly returns to the community-based residential facility;
5. a victim has initiated a request to provide information (e.g., victim impact statement) and the Victim Services Officer (or equivalent) agrees that a Community Assessment is required; and
6. when an offender's living situation or residence changes. If an offender's living situation or residence has changed and the same community Parole Officer will maintain supervision, the results of an assessment can be entered into a Casework Record.

8. Where the development of a supervision strategy is required (e.g., day parole, full parole, statutory release, long-term supervision order, work releases where the offender will reside in a community-based residential facility, or unescorted temporary absence of more than 72 hours), a Community Strategy Report must be completed. Information regarding this report can be found in CD 712-1 - Pre-Release Decision Making.

9. Information collected from significant collaterals, such as the offender's spouse, parents, siblings, etc., is normally gathered through an in-person interview. When appropriate, however, a Parole Officer may collect this information through telephone contacts (e.g., remote areas, or where contacts are well known to CSC staff).

10. When a Community Assessment is required for multiple purposes (e.g., private family visits, unescorted temporary absences, etc.) for the same geographic location, the institutional Parole Officer will request one Community Assessment Report.

11. In the event that a community Parole Officer receives multiple Community Assessment requests (for instance, one for private family visits, one for an unescorted temporary absence where no supervision strategy is required, and one for specific information in the community), he or she will incorporate all the information in one Community Assessment Report.

12. When multiple contacts are identified in a Community Assessment request for the same geographic location, the community Parole Officer will complete one Community Assessment which will include all contacts. In cases where this may not be practical, more than one Community Assessment may be completed.

CANADIAN POLICE INFORMATION CENTRE CHECKS

13. As part of the information gathering process, Parole Officers may contact the police to verify whether the collateral contact is known to police and/or identify the existence of a criminal record through a Canadian Police Information Centre check (form CSC/SCC 1279 01 - Consent CPIC Clearance Request). For procedures involving CPIC checks, refer to CD 712-1 - Pre-Release Decision Making.

TIMEFRAME

14. The Community Assessment Report should be completed as soon as possible but no later than 30 calendar days from the date of request.

CONTENT GUIDELINES

15. The content guidelines for the Community Assessment Report should be geared to the specific request. Refer to Annex A for the different types of Community Assessment Reports.

Commissioner,

Original signed by:
Keith Coulter

 

Annex A

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT CONTENT GUIDELINES

Offender's New Source of Support or Community Assessment Update

1.  Notification to third party	Persons contacted will be told that the information they provide will be shared with the offender. Refer to CD 701 - Information Sharing for the specific procedures regarding the collection of information from external sources.
2.  Source(s) of information	For each contact, list: name date of birth address telephone number occupation relationship to offender general description of the individual place where the interview took place and a general, brief, objective description of the physical environment (if relevant) date of the interview CPIC check (for procedures involving CPIC checks, refer to CD 712-1 - Pre-Release Decision Making).
3.  Offender’s relationship with the contact or significant others	Based on information provided by the contact, Parole Officer’s assessment of: the nature of the relationship between the offender and contact the impact of the contact’s extended relationship with the offender during incarceration or at time of release the degree of support the contact is prepared to offer to the offender regarding his or her reintegration into the community (in the present and in the future), as well as reliability of the information obtained the offender’s social network the offender’s relationship with peers or significant others.
4.  Contributing factors	Based on information provided by the contact where relevant: Criminal behaviour and factors likely to contribute to the safe reintegration of the offender into the community: offender’s employment history (pattern of employment and job satisfaction) offender’s alcohol and/or drug history offender’s attitude towards accepted social values and his or her views on living a law-abiding lifestyle the influences associates may have over the offender offender’s personality (impulsive, empathetic, sensation seeking, manipulative) pattern such as aggression, assertion, coping mechanisms or frustration tolerance offender’s sexual dysfunction offender’s mental health. The offender’s childhood including whether the family unit had a negative or positive influence on the offender. The factors that represent the offender’s strengths likely to contribute to his or her reintegration. The contact’s ability to assist the offender in the participation/completion of community programs. The leisure activities and awareness/use of social/community services by the offender and the contact. The relevance of the offender’s release plan(s), and suggestions for additions or alternatives to the plans with a corresponding rationale. The dynamic contributing factors to be addressed prior to release (order of priority of the dynamic factors). Contact’s opinion on: the offender’s ability to set goals, to recognize and solve problems, to communicate (verbally and in writing), and to handle finances. Availability and short description of: programs accessible in the community to address what seems to be the offender’s contributing factors.
5.  Police or other official information	Specific information received from police, including reaction to the proposed release plan(s) and the reporting requirements established for the offender (impressions of the contact). Specific information received from other criminal justice sources and official community organizations. Specific information from police or other official information pertaining to family violence and the existence of any restraining orders. Where relevant, indicate the offender’s deportation status, or other relevant immigration information.
6.  Information related to the request	Indicate if the report is completed for an offender's new source of support or a Community Assessment update.
7.  Overall assessment	The Parole Officer must examine all information obtained in the other sections and summarize his or her opinion on the community support available and the reintegration potential of the offender.

 

Work Releases
(Not Involving a Return to a Community-Based Residential Facility)

To determine the extent of support for the proposal from the person or organization for whom the offender wishes to work or perform community service.

1.  Notification to third party	Persons contacted will be told that the information they provide will be shared with the offender. Refer to CD 701 - Information Sharing for the specific procedures regarding the collection of information from external sources.
2.  Source(s) of information	For each contact, list: name date of birth address telephone number occupation relationship to offender general description of the individual place where the interview took place and a general, brief, objective description of the physical environment (if relevant) date of the interview CPIC check (for procedures involving CPIC checks, refer to CD 712-1 - Pre-Release Decision-Making).
3.  Information related to the request	The Community Assessment Report will specify: that the person or organization has reviewed the background information on the offender acceptance or rejection by the person or organization the person’s or organization’s concerns and suggestions for conditions and approaches to supervision where relevant, information received from contacts with police that the level of supervision for the work release is specifically addressed that the sharing of information requirements are documented.
4.  Overall assessment	The Parole Officer must examine all information obtained in the other sections and summarize his or her opinion on the community support available and the reintegration potential of the offender.

NOTE 1: Depending upon the nature of the work release (e.g., shovel snow vs. work in a factory) and its duration (e.g., one day vs. a 60-day program), it may not always be necessary to complete a formal Community Assessment. For some structured work release programs, information and supervision plans can be standard for all offenders and already available to the Case Management Team. In some instances, it may be more efficient to use alternative methods to collect the information (e.g., telephone or person-to-person contact). The information obtained will be recorded in a Community Assessment Report.

NOTE 2: Where the work release permits the offender to reside in a community-based residential facility, a Community Strategy will be determined.

 

Transfers
(Inter-Regional and International)

1.  Notification to third party	Persons contacted will be told that the information they provide will be shared with the offender. Refer to CD 701 - Information Sharing for the specific procedures regarding the collection of information from external sources.
2.  Source(s) of information	For each contact, list: name date of birth address telephone number occupation relationship to offender general description of the individual place where the interview took place and a general, brief, objective description of the physical environment (if relevant) date of the interview CPIC check (for procedures involving CPIC checks, refer to CD 712-1 - Pre-Release Decision-Making).
3.  Information related to the request	When conducting a Community Assessment for the purpose of an international transfer, the Parole Officer will assess the viability of the support and the offender’s ties to Canada by confirming the following information. Abandonment Place of birth, date citizenship was granted, whether citizenship was renounced in the past, whether offender has dual citizenship with another country other than Canada, place of residence at the time of the offence, time spent living in the foreign country, return visits, period of time spent living in Canada before moving to another country, determination of intention and whether a subsequent citizenship was sought. Family and Social Ties Nature of the relationship with family or friends. How often was there communication or visits prior to and/or after the present offence? What services or support can be offered? Is this person a positive support? Potential for Reintegration Does the contact know if the offender is receiving programming and/or treatment in the foreign prison? In the contact’s opinion, does this institution or country pose a threat to the offender’s health or safety? Does the family/contact or Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade have to subsidize the offender’s incarceration and provide for his or her wellbeing and welfare? Breach of Trust Is the contact aware whether the offender has, in the past, escaped lawful custody, or breached a court order or probation/parole order? Does he or she have knowledge whether the offender has links to organized crime or a terrorist organization and if so, what was his or her involvement?
4.  Police or other official information	Specific information received from police (impressions of the contact). Specific information received from other criminal justice sources and official community organizations. Where relevant, indicate the offender’s deportation status.
5.  Overall assessment	The Parole Officer must examine all information obtained in the other sections and summarize his or her opinion on the community support available.

NOTE:  For the purposes of international transfers, the Community Assessment Report is recorded outside of the Offender Management System application. If the offender is eventually transferred to CSC jurisdiction, the Community Assessment Report needs to be copied and/or scanned electronically into the Offender Management System.

 

Private Family Visits

1.  Notification to third party	Persons contacted will be told that the information they provide will be shared with the offender. Refer to CD 701 - Information Sharing for the specific procedures regarding the collection of information from external sources.
2.  Source(s) of information	For each contact, list: name date of birth address telephone number occupation relationship to offender general description of the individual place where the interview took place and a general, brief, objective description of the physical environment (if relevant) date of the interview CPIC check (for procedures involving CPIC checks, refer to CD 712-1 - Pre-Release Decision-Making).
3.  Offender’s relationship with the contact or significant others	Based on information provided by the contact, Parole Officer’s assessment of: the nature of the relationship between the offender and contact the impact of the contact’s extended relationship with the offender during incarceration or at time of release the degree of support the contact is prepared to offer to the offender regarding his or her reintegration into the community (in the present and in the future), as well as reliability of the information obtained the offender’s social network the offender’s relationship with peers or significant others.
4.  Information related to the request	Contact’s eligibility and interest in participating in private family visits. Issues related to family violence. Information obtained from Social Services that indicate concerns for the security of children (if relevant). Information on any medication that the contact will bring with him or her in the institution, or specific goods (e.g., powdered milk, food or diapers for babies).
5.  Overall assessment	The Parole Officer must examine all information obtained in the other sections and summarize his or her opinion on the community support available.

NOTE:   If not already initiated by the institution, the completion and signature of forms CSC/SCC 0530 and CSC/SCC 0531, as well as required photographs, should be obtained from the participants. The rules and regulations of the Private Family Visits Program should also be explained to the participants.

 

Cancellation of a Suspension
(where a cancellation of the suspension is anticipated and the offender’s release plan is in another area)

1.  Notification to third party	Persons contacted will be told that the information they provide will be shared with the offender. Refer to CD 701 - Information Sharing for the specific procedures regarding the collection of information from external sources.
2.  Source(s) of information	For each contact, list: name date of birth address telephone number occupation relationship to offender general description of the individual place where the interview took place and a general, brief, objective description of the physical environment (if relevant) date of the interview CPIC check (for procedures involving CPIC checks, refer to CD 712-1 - Pre-Release Decision-Making).
3.  Offender’s relationship with the contact or significant others	Based on information provided by the contact, Parole Officer’s assessment of:  the nature of the relationship between the offender and contact the impact of the contact’s extended relationship with the offender during incarceration or at time of release the degree of support the contact is prepared to offer to the offender regarding his or her reintegration into the community (in the present and in the future), as well as reliability of the information obtained the offender’s social network the offender’s relationship with peers or significant others.
4.  Police information	Specific information received from police, including reaction to the proposed new release plan(s) and the reporting requirements established for the offender (impressions of the contact).
5.  Information related to the request	Parole Officer's assessment of the new release plan.
6.  Overall assessment	The Parole Officer must examine all information obtained in the other sections and summarize his or her opinion on the community support available and the reintegration potential of the offender.