Policy Bulletin 672


Policy Bulletin

Policy numbers and titles:

Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 705-2 – Information Collection
CD 710-1 – Progress Against the Correctional Plan
CD 712-1 – Pre-Release Decision Making
CD 712-4 – Release Process
CD 715 – Community Supervision Framework
CD 715-1 – Community Supervision
CD 715-2 – Post-Release Decision Process

Why were the policies changed?

As a result of recommendations made by a National Board of Investigation to enhance public safety, new measures are being implemented regarding information collection, case preparation and community supervision. The policy changes are effective immediately and will be reflected in the CDs when they are updated.

What has changed?

CD 705-2 – Information Collection

Paragraphs 3 b. c. d., 5 and 6 (consisting of the list of documents that CSC is required to obtain) have been deleted and replaced with Annex B below.

Annex B – Information Collection

Pursuant to subsection 23(1) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and section 743.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada, CSC will request the information identified below required for the completion of the intake assessment and initial Correctional Plan. CSC will pursue missing information until it is either obtained or determined by written confirmation to be unavailable. The information required is as follows:

  1. an official version of the index offence(s) (i.e., police reports, Judge’s comments, Crown Attorney’s comments, and any other relevant court documents). For new admissions who have received a sentence for Murder or a Schedule I offence which caused death or serious harm, request trial transcripts and/or Judge’s comments
  2. 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, and
    2. any court that hears an appeal on the conviction, sentence or committal
  3. pre-sentence reports and all information regarding the offender’s personal history, including medical, psychological or psychiatric history, referenced during trial or sentencing
  4. Gladue report, if available
  5. Victim Impact Statement(s), if available
  6. all court orders, including, but not limited to, the following: orders pursuant to section 161 of the Criminal Code, Sex Offender Registry orders, non communication orders, restraining orders, probationary orders, firearms prohibition orders pursuant to section 109 of the Criminal Code, weapons prohibition orders, driving prohibition orders, restitution orders, child custody/access orders, family court orders for child support payment/arrears, forfeiture orders, DNA orders, deportation orders, spousal support orders, victim surcharge fees, and warrants of committal
  7. information regarding the history of criminal activity (provincial/territorial and federal), which includes, but is not limited to:
    1. all police reports for previous criminal activities including previously dismissed, stayed, or withdrawn charges and/or convictions for offences involving violence pursuant to subsection 123(8) of the CCRA as well as judicial processes (i.e., first and second trials, appeals, etc.)
    2. young offender history, if available, and if in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which includes any applicable access period time limits
  8. FPS Sheet, if available
  9. when a person is designated as a Dangerous Offender or a Long Term Offender pursuant to section 760 of the Criminal Code:
    1. all copies of all reports and testimonies given by psychiatrists, psychologists, criminologists and other experts
    2. any observations of the court with respect to the reasons for the finding, together with a transcript of the trial of the offender.

Commissioner’s Directives 705-2, 710-1, 712 1, 712-4 and 715-2

In order to emphasize the importance of completing the necessary follow-ups to obtain missing documents throughout the offender’s entire sentence, the following paragraph is being added:

The Parole Officer will review the Case Documentation Checklist to identify missing documents and complete the necessary follow ups with the Information Retrieval Unit (IRU) to ensure the documents are obtained. A Casework Record will be completed to document the follow-up request that was made to the IRU.

CD 715 – Community Supervision Framework and CD 715-1 – Community Supervision

In order to improve the quality control mechanism for case conferences and collateral contacts, new responsibilities have been added to the Parole Officer Supervisor (POS)/Community Correctional Centre (CCC) Manager, in order to ensure that:

  1. case conferences are being conducted at opportune moments throughout the supervision, or more frequently for complex cases
  2. collateral contacts are being completed, and
  3. contacts are completed with the appropriate individuals

To assist with the above, the following tools have been developed to provide guidance to community case management staff.

The Case Conference tool provides Parole Officers (POs) with guidance to support the preparation and analysis for their discussion with their POS/CCC Manager, when addressing any particular situations specific to an offender. The tool also clarifies the role of the POS/CCC Manager, in relation to case conferences.

The Collateral Contact tool allows the POs to better identify the collateral network and how these contacts can assist in making informed decisions. The tool also provides guidance on when communication can occur with collateral contacts. The role and responsibilities of the POS/CCC Manager during the supervision of collateral contacts is also detailed, considering that establishing and maintaining contact with collateral contacts is an essential component of sound risk management.

How were they developed?

These policies were developed by the Correctional Operations and Programs Sector and the Policy Sector.

Who will be affected by the policies?

These changes will impact staff members involved in the information collection process, case preparation and the supervision of offenders. All changes will be reflected in the next policy update.

Accountabilities?

Roles and responsibilities are detailed in the policy documents.

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