Correctional Programs
Standards for Correctional Programs 726-1
Issued under the authority of the Assistant Commissioner,
Correctional Operations and Programs
2003-11-19
Table of Contents
- Target Audience
- What is a Correctional Program?
- Standards for Correctional Program Development
- Standards for Correctional Program Accreditation and Site Accreditation
- Standards for the Training and Certification Process for Program Staff
- Standards for Correctional Program Delivery
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ask an Expert
- ANNEX 1 - Program Description
- ANNEX 2 - Guide to Determine the Intensity, Duration and Setting of Correctional Programs
- ANNEX 3 - Definitions
- ANNEX 4 - Acronym Definitions
TARGET AUDIENCE
What Is A Correctional Program?
A Correctional Program is a structured intervention that addresses the factors directly linked to offenders' criminal behaviour (CD 726 para. 5).
The purpose of the correctional system is to assist "the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into the community as law-abiding citizens through the provision of programs in penitentiaries and in the community" (CCRA s. 3). Therefore, CSC is responsible for providing these types of programs (CCRA s. 5(b)).
Legislative Authority
Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) Sections
- Purpose of the Correctional System - CCRA s. 3
- Correctional Service of Canada Responsibilities - CCRA s. 5(b)
- Programs for Offenders Generally - CCRA s. 76
- Programs for Female Offenders - CCRA s. 77
- Aboriginal Offenders; Definitions - CCRA s. 79
- Aboriginal Offenders; Programs - CCRA s. 80
- Meaning of Informed Consent - CCRA s. 88 (2)
Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations (CCRR) Sections
- Correctional Plans - CCRR s. 102
Cross References
Commissioner's Directives
Standards for Correctional Program Development
The National Program Manager (NPM) is responsible for developing a Correctional Program based on:
- needs identification and analysis;
- literature review and analysis of current practices;
The analysis will assist the NPM determine:
- the program design (the overall program model, structure and content); and
- the process for program validation.
It is essential that the development of Correctional Programs meets the identified needs of offenders and promotes their successful reintegration to society (CD 726 para. 1)
Authorization for Correctional Program Development
The ACCOP is responsible for presenting a plan to the Executive Committee for the development of a Correctional Program.
The Executive Committee authorizes the development of Correctional Programs.
Supporting Documentation
In the development of every Correctional Program, certain supporting documents must be produced. The NPM is responsible for producing the following support documents:
- a program manual, including the program description;
- an assessment manual;
- a training manual; and
- supplementary materials.
Intensity, Duration and Setting of the Correctional Program - Meeting the Risk and Needs of Offenders
In the development of Correctional Programs, the NPM must always consider the offender's level of risk and need to determine the intensity, duration and type of group setting.
View the Guide to Determine the Intensity, Duration and Setting of Correctional Programs for more detailed information.
Note: A range of Correctional Programs designed to address the various needs of offenders and contribute to their successful reintegration must be offered (CCRA s. 76).
According to CCRA s. 77, CSC is responsible for providing programs that are designed to address the unique needs of female offenders. For further information on programs for female offenders, see The Correctional Program Strategy for Federally Sentenced Women.
According to CCRA s. 80, CSC is responsible for providing programs which are designed to address the unique needs of Aboriginal offenders. For further information on Aboriginal programs, see CD 702.
Additionally, CD 767 stipulates that needs and cultural interests of offenders belonging to ethnocultural minority groups should be identified in Correctional Program development.
The Regional Administrator of Correctional Programs (RACP) is responsible for:
- ensuring that the infrastructure for the administration and the delivery of Correctional Programs meets the needs of offenders;
- providing a continuum of Correctional Programs between institutions and the community; and
- ensuring the integrity of Correctional Programs and notifying the Director, Reintegration Programs of potential problems.
It is essential to ensure that Correctional Programs are operated according to their design and based on solid theory and supporting research (CD 726 para. 2).
Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation
In Correctional Program development, the Director, Reintegration Programs is responsible for:
- proposing and monitoring the standards for program development and delivery, and
- managing and coordinating the gathering and presentation of evidence of program effectiveness.
Once a program has been developed, the NPM will provide ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the Correctional Program. This consists of:
- rates of participation, completion, and reasons for non-completion;
- assessment of progress against program targets;
- influence of responsivity factors;
- participants' satisfaction;
- impact on institutional conduct and adjustment;
- rates of readmission following release;
- rates of re-offending following release; and/or
- cost-effectiveness of the program.
Wardens and District Directors are responsible for ensuring that data related to program evaluation are collected and available for research purposes.
The RACP provides assistance to consolidate the data related to program evaluation and provides additional analysis as required.
Standards for Correctional Program Accreditation and Site Accreditation
The Assistant Commissioner, Performance Assurance (ACPA) is responsible for managing the program accreditation process and the site accreditation process (CD 726 para. 7).
Correctional Program Accreditation
The "Correctional Programs Accreditation Panel" accredits Correctional Programs that meet the following criteria:
- Empirically-Based Model of Change;
- Targeted Criminogenic Factors;
- Effective Methods of Delivery, including the Statement of Qualifications for Correctional Program Officers;
- Skills-Oriented;
- Responsivity;
- Program Intensity;
- Continuity of Care;
- Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation.
Site Accreditation
Each Operational Unit undergoes the established CSC process of site accreditation. Site accreditation shall be granted by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the "National Site Accreditation Panel".
Standards for the Training and Certification Process for Program Staff
The ACCOP is responsible for the overall training and certification of Program Trainers and Correctional Program Officers (CD 726 para. 7).
Program Trainers
A Program Trainer is the individual responsible for the training of Correctional Program Officers and the monitoring of the Quality Review processes for Correctional Program Officers in a specific Correctional Program Area.
Training of Program Trainers
The NPM responsible for the Program Area co-ordinates the training of the Program Trainers. Program Trainers will be trained in the Program Area in which they deliver training.
Certification of Program Trainers
The Director, Reintegration Programs is responsible for certifying a Program Trainer, based on the recommendation of the NPM.
Initially, Program Trainers will be certified as Correctional Program Officers in a Program Area . Afterwards, as Program Trainers, they will deliver training to Correctional Program Officers in accordance with the training manual that is developed for each Correctional Program Area.
The certification process for Program Trainers includes:
- successfully completing the "Program Trainer" training program;
- successfully training Correctional Program Officers on the theory and effective delivery of at least one program; and
- successfully meeting all the requirements of the Quality Review process.
For certified Program Trainers, Quality Reviews will be conducted at three and six years following certification. Additional Quality Reviews may be conducted during this period if required. The Quality Review will end after the sixth year following certification, unless the need for improvement is identified.
Quality Review of Program Trainers
The NPM is responsible for the Program Area co-ordinates the Quality Review of Program Trainers.
The Quality Review process assesses Program Trainers in the following areas:
- administration of the overall training;
- training delivery;
- assessment of Correctional Program Officers; and
- report writing.
The Quality Review of Program Trainers results in a written report that addresses:
- strengths and areas for improvement;
- Certification (if applicable); and
- the need for additional training or professional development.
To ensure that the Program Trainer undergoes a fair evaluation, the Quality Review will examine the equivalent of at least 2 training days.
Refresher Training for Program Trainers
The NPM responsible for the Correctional Program Area will provide refresher training to Program Trainers when:
- the Quality Review identifies a need for it;
- the Program Trainer was trained but did not deliver training in the Correctional Program Area within six months of training;
- the Program Trainer has been inactive in the Correctional Program Area for more than 24 months; and/or
- significant changes have been made to the Correctional Program Area.
Correctional Program Officers
A Correctional Program Officer is the individual who delivers Correctional Programs to offenders.
Training of Correctional Program Officers
Correctional Program Officers are trained by Program Trainers to deliver programming to offenders in a specific Correctional Program Area. The training will address all levels of program intensity within a Correctional Program Area.
The RACP is responsible for ensuring that Correctional Program Officers participate in a total of three days of program-related Professional Development annually.
Certification of Correctional Program Officers
The Director, Reintegration Programs is responsible for certifying a Correctional Program Officer, based on the recommendation of the Program Trainer.
The certification process for Correctional Program Officers includes:
- successfully completing the training on the theory and effective delivery of the program;
- successfully delivering a minimum of one program to offenders; and
- successfully meeting all the requirements of the Quality Review process.
For a certified Correctional Program Officer, Quality Reviews will be conducted at three and six years following certification. Additional Quality Reviews may be conducted during this period if needed. The Quality Review will end after the sixth year following certification, unless the need for improvement is identified.
Quality Review of Correctional Program Officers
The Quality Review process for Correctional Program Officers is monitored by the Program Trainer, in the specific Correctional Program Area.
The Quality Review process evaluates a Correctional Program Officer in the following areas:
- administration of the overall program;
- program delivery;
- assessment of offenders; and
- report writing.
The Quality Review of Correctional Program Officers results in a written report that addresses:
- Strengths and areas for improvement;
- Certification (if applicable); and
- Need for additional training or professional development.
To ensure the fair evaluation of the Program Officer, the Quality Review will examine the equivalent of at least four program sessions in the Correctional Program Area.
Refresher Training for Correctional Program Officers
The Program Trainer responsible for the Correctional Program Area will provide refresher training to Correctional Program Officers when:
- the Quality Review identifies a need;
- the Correctional Program Officer was trained but did not deliver in the Correctional Program Area within six months of the training;
- the Correctional Program Officer has been inactive in the Correctional Program Area for more than 12 months; and/or
- significant changes have been made to the Correctional Program Area.
Standards for Correctional Program Delivery
- The RACP is responsible for developing the annual program plan for each operational unit (CD 726 para. 8).
- Wardens and District Directors are responsible for implementing the annual program plan, taking into account the needs of offenders and the types of programs available (CD 726 para. 9).
- Correctional Program Officers must deliver Correctional Programs according to the program delivery manual that is developed for every Correctional Program. Wardens and District Directors are responsible for ensuring that Correctional Programs are delivered in this manner. Also, Wardens and District Directors must ensure that non-CSC Correctional Programs provided under contract meet CSC standards.
Participation in Correctional Programs
- Offenders are assigned to a Correctional Program based on their Correctional Plan and on established Correctional Program selection criteria. Pre-program interviews and assessment batteries are completed no earlier than 30 workings days before the Correctional Program begins.
- Wardens and District Directors must ensure that offenders are enrolled in the Correctional Programs, which were recommended in their Correctional Plans (CCRR s. 102). Offenders should be encouraged to participate in programs identified in their Correctional Plans.
All Correctional Program participation must be voluntary and based on informed consent (CD 726 para. 12). Program participants must complete the standardized Consent to Participate in Correctional Programs Form.
The number of Correctional Program participants is based on the number of Correctional Program Officers:
- If there is one Correctional Program Officer: maximum 10 participants;
- If there is more than one Correctional Program Officer: maximum 12 participants.
All staff members who work directly with offenders are responsible for sharing of information regarding the offender's program participation and progress against criminogenic factors (CD 726 para. 10).
Make-Up Sessions
Correctional Program Officers will provide Correctional Program participants with make-up sessions, or the equivalent, whenever possible in the case of absences. Make-up sessions must be entered into OMS.
Post-Program Work
After the delivery of a Correctional Program, Correctional Program Officers must produce a post-program report and input information into OMS. The report is limited to the following components:
- attendance and participation;
- analysis of progress against program targets, taking into consideration the information generated by level II correction officers on the offender's progress in monthly structured casework records;
- psychological risk assessment, if required; and
- recommendations regarding risk management strategies.
The timeframes for the post-program reports are as follows:
- ten working days from the last group session for maintenance, low intensity, and moderate intensity programs;
- fifteen working days from the last group session for high intensity programs; and
- five additional days are allotted for Correctional Programs requiring psychological and/or psychiatric testing.
A Correctional Program Officer co-ordinates a post-program case conference with an offender and the Case Management Team to share information.
Correctional Program Awareness
- Wardens and District Directors are responsible for providing program awareness annually and prior to the introduction of a new Correctional Program to the operational staff members who interact with offenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions are not available at this time.
Ask an Expert
Atlantic
Jean-Guy Bourque
ARPC
Tel:(506) 851-2031
Quebec
Sylvie Brunet-Lusignan
AR
Tel:(450) 967-3479
Ontario
June Blackburn
ARPC
Tel : (613) 536-4244
Prairies
Ken Morken
ARPC
Tél: (306) 975-4850
Pacific
Michelle Hall
ARPC
Tél:(604) 870-2544
Updated: 2003-08-01
Change of name or number? Please contact Michael Bettman, Director, Reintegration Programs.
Ross Toller
Assistant Commissioner,
Correctional Operations and Programs
ANNEX 1 - Program Description
The description of a Correctional Program must include:
- selection criteria;
- Program Intensity level;
- targeted criminogenic factors / program targets
- frequency and duration of the program;
- program goals; and
- pre- and post-program assessment.
ANNEX 2 -Guide to Determine the Intensity, Duration and Setting of Correctional Programs
| Target Population | Intensity | Average Duration | Group Setting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Risk | Needs | |||
| High | High or Moderate to High Moderate- High |
High | Minimum 15 to 36 weeks Minimum 10 to 15 hours per week |
Closed or open groups 2 correctional program officers |
| Moderate - High | Moderate to Low | Moderate | Between 5 to 25 weeks 5 to 15 hours per week |
Closed or open groups 1 or 2 correctional program officers according to the program manual |
| Moderate | Moderate | |||
| Moderate - Low | Moderate to High | |||
| Moderate - Low | Low Or Moderate to Low |
Low | Between 1 to 16 months 2 to 6 hours per week |
Closed or open groups 1 correctional program officer |
| Low | ||||
| Offenders who complete program Given to moderate and high risk offenders |
Maintenance | Duration and frequency determined by the correctional program officer after discussion with the parole officer | Open groups 1 correctional program officer |
|
ANNEX 3 - Definitions
Continuity of Care
Continuity of Care means that treatment gains made during incarceration are reinforced and strengthened by intervention efforts in the community.
Correctional Program
A Correctional Program is a structured intervention that addresses the factors directly linked to the offender's criminal history.
Correctional Program Officer
The individual who delivers Correctional Programs to offenders.
Criminogenic Factors
Factors that contribute directly to criminal behaviour.
Empirically-Based Model of Change
A model of how a program facilitates change in offenders' attitudes/behaviour, which is based on theory and supporting research.
National Program Manager
The individual responsible for the development and the quality of Correctional Programs at the national level.
Program Area
A Program Area is a group of Correctional Programs of varying intensity that target similar factors related to offending behaviour.
Program Intensity
Program Intensity is the scope, sequencing and duration of treatment related to the seriousness and persistence of offenders' risk and need.
Program Trainer
A Program Trainer is the individual responsible for training Correctional Program Officers and monitoring the Quality Review processes of a Program Area.
Responsivity
Responsivity refers to the characteristics of offenders that have a direct impact on how much benefit they will derive from an intervention.
ANNEX 4 - Acronym Definitions
ACCOP
Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs
ACPA
Assistant Commissioner, Performance Assurance
CCRA
Corrections and Conditional Release Act
CCRR
Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations
CSC
Correctional Service Canada
OMS
Offender Management System
NPM
National Program Manager
RACP
Regional Administrator of Correctional Programs