Policy Bulletin

Date:
2012-09-26

Number:
372


Policy Number and Title:

Commissioner's Directive (CD) 843 – Management of Inmate Self-injurious and Suicidal Behaviour

Purpose

To provide clarification on roles and responsibilities for the completion of the Critical Response and Incident Management Plan (CRIMP) following incidents of self-injury.

Direction

  • CD 843 specifies that a CRIMP be completed, normally within 24 hours of a self-injury incident, by a mental health professional.
  • Should multiple self-injurious situations occur within a 24-hour period by the same inmate, or when an Interdisciplinary Management Plan (IMP) is in place, an addendum to the CRIMP can be completed, substituting the need for a CRIMP for each self-injurious situation. In these two specific situations, each incident of self-injury must be documented and the overall situation assessed, in keeping with professional standards.
  • As CD 843 is not prescriptive regarding which mental health professional is responsible for completing the CRIMP, it is at the discretion of each operational unit to determine who will complete the CRIMP.
  • This function can be performed by those identified as mental health professionals, working alone or as a group. This includes Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Physicians, Nurses, and Clinical Social Workers (see CD 843, Annex A – Definitions).
  • The operational unit may also choose to designate specific mental health staff or professions to complete the CRIMP. Should an operational unit choose this approach, this information must be communicated to all staff within the institution.

Accountabilities?

  • Accountability rests with the Institutional Head/ Executive Director.

Who will be affected by the policy?

  • Staff members who contribute to efforts to maintain the safety of inmates by assisting and supporting those who are at risk of suicidal and/or self-injurious behaviour.

Implementation Date?

  • Immediately

Contact:

Jennifer Wheatley
Director General, Mental Health Branch
613-992-8788
jennifer.wheatley@csc-scc.gc.ca

Original signed by:

Nancy Stableforth
Assistant Commissioner
Health Services