Policy Bulletin

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Policy number and title:

COMMISSIONER'S DIRECTIVE 004 - NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS

The Executive Committee has decided to implement national standards for the deployment of Correctional Officers (including Primary Workers) at all institutions. Increased standardization is aimed at promoting consistency, equity, efficiency and transparency across institutions, which will in turn enhance the security of the public, staff and offenders.

This is a new policy. Previously, greater local autonomy was exercised in deployment decisions, which led over time to disparities across regions and institutions. This policy establishes that similar functions in similar contexts should be organized and resourced similarly. It also recognizes the need to make exceptions to accommodate material differences.

How was it developed?

To set the stage for this initiative, CSC convened a working group of national, regional and institutional experts which invested significant time in looking at opportunities and issues for correctional officers at various posts in institutions. All sites in the country were visited and data were collected on all shifts and posts. Management, unions and staff were consulted and national deployment standards were developed for each type of institution - minimum, medium, maximum, women's, and healing lodges.

A draft policy was assembled and subject to extensive consultation with regions, sectors as well as unions.

Accountabilities?

Assistant Deputy Commissioners, Institutional Operations are responsible for regional implementation. Wardens are responsible for local application and communications with staff, unions and other stakeholders.

The Senior Deputy Commissioner is responsible for managing and maintaining the standards.

A new national committee - the Committee on Correctional Officer Deployment Standards - chaired by the Senior Deputy Commissioner and comprised of the: Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs; Deputy Commissioner for Women; Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services; Assistant Commissioner, Health Services; Assistant Commissioner, Human Resources Management; Director General, Aboriginal Initiatives; two Regional Deputy Commissioners and three Assistant Deputy Commissioners, Institutional Operations, will oversee implementation of this policy and make recommendations to the Commissioner regarding adjustments which may be required.

Who will be affected by the policy?

Overall, this standardization is expected to improve CSC's ability to schedule and manage its Correctional Officers and Primary Workers workforce. With the identification of some 60 discrete posts across all CSC institutions, some adjustments in duties may prevail at some institutions. There will be no reductions in the number of correctional staff as a result of this policy. To the contrary, since implementation coincides with several complementary measures related to the new Institutional Management Structure and the Transformation agenda, resource levels will be increased in all regions. Several additional Correctional Training Programs are being offered to ensure that sufficient qualified staff are in place to fulfill job requirements.

Expected cost?

Overall, moving to standards will be cost-neutral.

Other impacts?

These standards provide a common blueprint and useful tool for all institutional managers. They will also enable overtime challenges to be addressed systematically. Training on standards for the deployment of Correctional Officers and on scheduling will be provided to all Wardens; Deputy Wardens; Assistant Wardens, Operations; Managers, Operations, and Correctional Managers.

Contacts:

• Barry Niles
• A/Manager
• 613-545-8681
• NilesBH@csc-scc.gc.ca

• Yves Guimont
• Advisor
• 514-247-8805
• 450- 967-3349
• guimontyv@csc-scc.gc.ca