Policy Bulletin

Policy Bulletin 517

Why were these policies changed?

These policies are directly impacted by recommendations stemming from the 2015 Spring Reports of the Auditor General of Canada, Report 6 – Preparing Male Offenders for Release – Correctional Service Canada. The specific recommendations are as follows:

  • that CSC policy specify the minimum information requirement to assess offender risk at intake
  • that criteria be developed to prioritize the timely delivery of employment and education programs, and
  • that assessments of an offender's security level and correctional plan are updated as soon as official documents are obtained for offenders in custody.

What has changed?

The following details the major changes made to each policy:

CD 705-2 – Information Collection

As a result of the position of Manager, Intensive Intervention Strategy, being removed from all case management functions in the policy, paragraph 4 will no longer make reference to this position. The position of Parole Officer Supervisor has been added.

A new paragraph 5 has been added and reads as follows:

5. The minimum official information required for the completion of the intake assessment and initial Correctional Plan are:

  1. an official version of the offence (e.g. police report and/or Judge's comments and/or Crown Attorney's comments)
  2. history of criminal activity (provincial and federal) – including Finger Print Section Sheet if available
  3. Gladue report, if available
  4. young offender history, if available, and
  5. victim impact statement, if available.

Paragraph 6 now reads as follows:

6. Additional information to be collected includes:

  1. official documents (e.g., court documents, pre-sentence report, court orders, etc.)
  2. post-sentence community assessment
  1. all relevant information about the offender's personal history, including the offender's physical and mental health, if available
  2. all reasons and recommendations relating to the sentencing or committal that are given or made by:
    1. the court that convicts, sentences or commits the person
    2. any court that hears an appeal on the conviction, sentence or committal.

New paragraph 7 will read as follows:

7. The Parole Officer will update intake assessment documents upon receipt of additional official documents, if required.

CD 705-6 – Correctional Planning and Criminal Profile

As a result of the position of Manager, Intensive Intervention Strategy, being removed from all case management functions in the policy, paragraph 2 will no longer make reference to this position. The position of Parole Officer Supervisor has been added." to the end of the paragraph.

Paragraphs 7, 8, 37, 38 and 39 now read as follows:

7. The Parole Officer will complete the intake assessment documents and initial Correctional Plan using the minimum required information sources, pursuant to CD 705-2 – Information Collection.

8. Upon receipt of additional official information and if required, the Parole Officer will update the intake assessment documents and the Correctional Plan.

37. Correctional programs will be prioritized as the first correctional intervention for those who meet the referral criteria as set out in GL 726-2 – National Correctional Programs Referral Guidelines.

38. Education programs will be prioritized as the second correctional intervention for those who meet the criteria as set out in Guidelines for Education Programs (GL 720 1).

39. Employment programs will be prioritized as the third correctional intervention for those who meet the eligibility criteria for all correctional interventions. If the offender has:

  • limited cooperative work skills or employment history is absent, a referral to Employability Program will be made
  • limited marketable job skills obtained through experience or is dissatisfied with job skills, a referral to Vocational Training and Employment will be made.

How were they developed?

These policies were developed by the Correctional Operations and Programs Sector and the Policy Sector. Consultation occurred with all regions and the Senior Deputy Commissioner.

Accountabilities?

Roles and responsibilities are detailed in the policy documents. These have not changed since the last review of these CD.

Who will be affected by the policies?

The changes affect all case management staff.

Contact:

  • Liz Smith, A/Director
    Institutional Reintegration Operations
    613-996-3622

Commissioner,

Original Signed by:
Don Head

For more information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.