Policy Bulletin

Policy number and title:

COMMISSIONER’S DIRECTIVE 784 –
INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN VICTIMS AND THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE OF CANADA

Why was the policy changed?

This Commissioner’s Directive has been revised to reflect changes to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) and other recently passed legislation, to comply with the recommendations of the Policy Review Task Force, and to incorporate information from Case Management Bulletins.

What has changed?

Several technical modifications have been made to the layout of the document. Extensive editing was done to remove extraneous details, to improve clarity of the direction and to focus on staff responsibilities.

The new CD mentions the obligation to notify the victim’s family if an offender convicted of murder decides not to apply for a judicial review pursuant to subsection 745.6(2.8) of the Criminal Code.

Elements contained in the previous Victim Services Notification Guidelines have been incorporated to ensure staff have a clear understanding of the process of victim notification.

The timeframe for staff to notify the Victim Services Unit has been changed from normally four to normally five days before a known event.

The Victim Services Notification Guide has been added to the CD as an Annex.

How was it developed?

This policy was updated by the former National Policy Review Team. It was then revised collaboratively by the Strategic Policy Division and the Communications and Engagement Sector and was the subject of a national consultation.

Accountabilities?

Responsibilities for the various levels at NHQ and RHQ and in the institutions and districts are outlined in each of the policy documents.

Who will be affected by this policy?

The Victim Services Units, National Duty Officer and staff responsible for notifying the Victim Services Units of relevant offender-related events or victim requests for information.

Other impacts?

None.

Contact:

• David Molzahn
• Manager, Victim Services
• 613-995-4706
• MolzahnDA@csc-scc.gc.ca