Commissioner's Directive

Community Correctional Centre Standards

PURPOSE

APPLICATION

  • Applies to all staff and contractors involved in the supervision of offenders working in CCCs

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. The Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs, will establish GL 714-1 - Consultation Guidelines for the Establishment and/or Relocation of Community Correctional Centres, as well as GL 714-2 - Safe Storage and Access to Offender Medications in Community Correctional Centres. These guidelines must be followed.
  2. The District Director will ensure:
    1. rules are established for curfews, leave privileges and access to the community, in accordance with the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) policies, and taking into account the offender's behaviour and public safety concerns as evaluated by CCC staff. Any PBC special conditions regarding curfews or access to the community will take precedence over these rules
    2. written procedures are established for informing staff and contractors about offenders referred to in the Duty Log section below, so that appropriate measures can be taken without delay
    3. procedures are established to monitor and control the movement of offenders and visitors in the CCC
    4. staff and contractors are made aware of offender activities through regular meetings and communication at shift changes
    5. a Search Plan that meets the specific needs of the CCC is approved in accordance with CD 566‑7 - Searching of Offenders and CD 566-9 - Searching of Cells/Rooms, Vehicles and Other Areas
    6. the CCC has written contingency plans (including up-to-date floor plans) for dealing with fire, medical emergencies (including an influenza pandemic), security incidents, and natural disasters, and that staff are trained in relation to these plans
    7. a strategy is established to accommodate the practice of Aboriginal spirituality and culture and other spiritual practices, if required
    8. Standing Orders are issued as required in the Exposure to Second Hand Smoke and Electronic Security Systems sections below.
  3. Offenders with a residency condition or temporarily housed in a CCC are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner that demonstrates respect for other persons, property, and CCC rules, to conform to the conditions of release and the orders to which they are subject, and to participate actively in their Correctional Plan.

PROCEDURES

Intake and Rules

  1. Upon admission to a CCC, the offender will be provided with a copy of the "Handbook for Offenders in CCCs" as well as explanations of the CCC's rules. Pursuant to CD 715‑1 - Community Supervision, the Parole Officer will complete the Initial Interview Checklist (CSC/SCC 1331) and ask the offender to sign this document, which will be maintained on the offender's file.
  2. The intake procedures will address, at a minimum, the areas outlined in the Responsibilities and Procedures section of CD 705-4 - Orientation, in addition to the following areas:
    1. supervision requirements
    2. procedures to follow to obtain medical care, including dental and vision care, mental health and psychology services, as well as procedures concerning medication control
    3. determination of need for daily incidental allowance and the amount that will be provided (if any), pursuant to CD 870 - Maintenance Allowance for Offenders, as well as provisions relating to deductions for food and accommodation, pursuant to CD 860 - Offender's Money
    4. policies, including policies on room searches, exposure to second hand smoke, cellular telephones, and offenders' access to personal assistance in order to read and write their correspondence if required
    5. sign-in and sign-out procedures, curfews and leave privileges (including overnight and weekend passes)
    6. information regarding visits and visitors, including the procedures to authorize visits to offenders in a CCC by persons who have not reached the age of majority (see Annex B)
    7. personal effects policy, including handling of funds and property left at the CCC, as well as storage of personal possessions, pursuant to CD 566-12 - Personal Property of Offenders
    8. procedures on claims regarding personal effects as well as the Offender Accident Compensation Program outlined in CD 234 - Claims for Staff Personal Effects and Inmate Personal Effects and the Offender Accident Compensation Program. A copy of the Guide to Accident Compensation for Federal Offenders will be available to offenders
    9. fire safety, evacuation and emergency procedures
    10. any additional CCC rules specific to the individual facility.

Duty Log

  1. The CCC duty log must be maintained up to date by staff and contractors. This log is also a formal record for documenting the following:
    1. activities
    2. incidents
    3. offender movement
    4. offender behaviour.
  2. CCC staff and/or contractors coming on shift who have a need to know will be briefed verbally or in writing using the duty log before assuming responsibility for the shift.
  3. CCC staff and contractors will be informed about the following offenders to ensure that any required interventions can be made immediately:
    1. offenders who have been convicted of an offence causing death or serious harm to others
    2. offenders who are assessed as having a high potential for violent or suicidal behaviour
    3. offenders whose medical or psychiatric history indicates a need for special attention
    4. offenders whose conviction has attracted considerable public attention
    5. any offender who has committed an offence set out in Schedule I of the CCRA.

Counts, Searches and Personal Property

  1. The procedures applicable to counts, searches and personal property in CCCs are outlined in CD 566-4 - Counts and Security Patrols, CD 566-7 - Searching of Offenders, CD 566-8 - Searching of Staff and Visitors, CD 566-9 - Searching of Cells/Rooms, Vehicles and Other Areas and CD 566-12 - Personal Property of Offenders.

Health Care and Medication

  1. The provision of health care to offenders residing in CCCs will be in accordance with CD 800 - Health Services.
  2. Storage and access to medication will be in accordance with GL 714-2 - Safe Storage and Access to Offender Medications in Community Correctional Centres.

Death of Offenders

  1. Procedures outlined in CD 530 - Death of an Inmate: Notifications and Funeral Arrangements apply to offenders with a residency condition in a CCC (except offenders subject to a long-term supervision order to whom sections 116 to 119 of the CCRR do not apply).

Housing of Offenders

  1. CCCs have rooms for single or shared occupancy. All interior doors and spaces require a unique identifying number.
  2. CCCs that accommodate both men and women offenders will ensure that men and women are housed in different areas of the CCC.
  3. Accessibility requirements for designated resident bedrooms and support spaces will conform to relevant Canadian Standards Association for accessible design.

Clothing and Bedding

  1. No clothes will be distributed to offenders in CCCs. However, bedding as well as toiletries and other articles necessary for personal health and cleanliness may be provided.

Deductions for Food and Accommodation

  1. Offenders with a residency condition or temporarily housed in a CCC (except offenders subject to a long-term supervision order to whom section 78 of the CCRA does not apply) will pay for their food and accommodation based on the services provided at the CCC, pursuant to CD 860 - Offender's Money.

Inmate Committee

  1. While recognizing the principle outlined in section 74 of the CCRA, given the community classification of CCCs and the status of the offenders residing in CCCs, the establishment of an Inmate Committee is not required.

Correspondence and Telephone Communications

  1. Correspondence between an offender, or the person or group representing him/her, and a person mentioned in the list of privileged correspondents outlined in the Schedule of the CCRR must be forwarded unopened to the addressee.
  2. Correspondence from the regional Victim Services Unit will not be sent directly to an offender residing in a CCC. The regional Victim Services Unit will send an email to the offender's Parole Officer, indicating that the offender has been registered as a victim and requesting confirmation that all correspondence to and from the Victim Services Unit should be addressed to the Parole Officer. The Parole Officer will confirm how the correspondence is to be managed and is responsible for ensuring that a mechanism for the storing of this correspondence is available to the offender.
  3. Offenders who are unable to read or write are entitled to the assistance of a person to aid them in preparing and reading correspondence.
  4. Except in the case of privileged correspondence, CSC staff may open letters sent to an offender and inspect the contents of the envelope; they may also ask offenders to hand over, unsealed, the letters they send, in order to inspect the contents of the envelope.
  5. Under normal circumstances, incoming mail will be distributed to offenders within the first working day of receipt. In the case where an offender's parole or supervision has been suspended, his/her mail will be forwarded to the penitentiary where he/she is incarcerated if the suspension is not cancelled.
  6. Access to telephones must be provided to offenders inside the CCC to help them maintain family and community ties and to provide a direct link with families in the event of an emergency.
  7. Emergency numbers and the Correctional Investigator's telephone number will be posted near each telephone.

Exposure to Second Hand Smoke

  1. In addition to following the procedures outlined in CD 259 - Exposure to Second Hand Smoke, CCCs must establish a Standing Order specifying the procedure for storing offenders' tobacco products in an administrative area of the CCC.

Fire Safety

  1. District Directors must ensure the implementation of an appropriate fire safety program in CCCs, including the development of a fire safety plan, in accordance with CD 345 - Fire Safety and the Fire Safety Manual. The responsibilities assigned to the Institutional Head in CD 345 - Fire Safety also apply to District Directors in the case of CCCs.
  2. There is no need for an agreement for firefighting services with the local Fire Department outlining actions where firefighter services could be withdrawn. In CCCs, the Municipal Fire Chief is in charge of controlling fires and similar emergencies.
  3. The CCC Manager or the Crisis Manager will assign specific fire safety responsibilities to CCC staff and contractors, in accordance with the Fire Safety Plan.
  4. All staff and contractors will receive information or awareness sessions on fire safety. These sessions will include the operation and use of portable fire extinguishers and fire hoses, as applicable, as well as fire safety equipment such as fire alarm systems, fixed automatic extinguishing systems and any fire doors within the CCC.
  5. District Directors will ensure that a fire evacuation drill is conducted once a year and a report is issued, in accordance with the Fire Safety Manual.
  6. Where geographically feasible, Technical Services resources from Regional Headquarters or from another facility will assist the District Director in the maintenance of the fire safety system and equipment in order to comply with national requirements in this regard. Contractual services will be used if support from other CSC units is unavailable.
  7. Fire alarm systems and equipment (including smoke/heat detectors, pull stations, sprinklers, etc.) in all areas of the CCC shall be maintained, inspected and be operational pursuant to the Fire Safety Manual.
  8. CCC Managers will ensure that routine searches regularly conducted in CCCs include control of fire hazards.
  9. Candles and combustible material are prohibited in CCCs, except if they are used as part of a strategy established to accommodate the practice of Aboriginal spirituality and culture and other spiritual practices, in designated areas pursuant to the Fire Safety Manual.

Planning and Management of Emergencies

  1. The District Director will ensure that a CSC staff member is identified as the person responsible for the coordination of all activities related to contingency planning in order to ensure an appropriate emergency response at each level (see CD 600 - Management of Emergencies).
  2. The CCC contingency plans will be discussed regularly at CCC meetings.
  3. Those CCC staff who have a need to know will have access to the contingency plans.
  4. The CCC contingency plans will be reviewed on an annual basis.
  5. Staff and contractors will wear a personal portable alarm in the CCC when circulating in offenders' living quarters and activity areas.
  6. There will be at least one staff member or contractor on each shift with valid first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation/automated external defibrillator (CPR/AED) certification.
  7. There will be an automated external defibrillator and a first aid kit available for each shift, with an inventory of medical contents approved by the St. John Ambulance or the Canadian Red Cross or equivalent. These contents will be inspected monthly.
  8. Applicable licenses or certificates will be posted in a public area. The CCC's premises and equipment will conform to applicable zoning, health, safety, building and fire codes and regulations.

Electronic Security Systems

  1. Operational feasibility and ability of response for fixed-point and personal portable alarms are to be determined by the District Director (or designate) on a site-specific basis in conjunction with Departmental Security and regional Facilities.
  2. Fixed-point and/or portable alarms will be installed in locations determined on a site-specific basis (e.g. program rooms, interview rooms, offices, etc.) and be operational.
  3. All exterior doors must be monitored by an intrusion detection alarm system. As well, room entrance doors, file room and local area network (LAN) room doors, resident personal effects storage rooms, and some other spaces and access points identified on a case-by-case basis will be monitored by an intrusion detection alarm system.
  4. The District Director must establish a Standing Order that includes:
    1. the location of permanently assigned personal portable alarms and/or fixed-point alarms
    2. the procedures for testing personal portable alarms and fixed-point alarms, including the requirement:
      1. to verify each fixed-point alarm (where applicable) by contacting the security desk and testing the alarm at least once a day, or at least once a month in CCCs equipped with a system displaying an error signal in the case of technical problems
      2. for each person with a portable alarm to contact the security desk and test the alarm at the start of their shift or work day, or at least once a month in CCCs equipped with a system displaying an error signal in the case of technical problems
    3. how CCC staff and contractors will respond to alarms.
  5. The CCC main entrance and the office or workstation where the entry and exit control is located must be linked by intercom.
  6. Each CCC must have an observation and video recording system allowing for additional surveillance of offender common areas that are not directly visible from the office or workstation where the entry and exit control and perimeter door monitoring system is located and of all perimeter doors of the CCC. These recordings are to be retained on site for a minimum of 30 days.
  7. Where video surveillance is conducted, the CCC Manager must ensure that notices are posted to indicate that the sector may be subject to such surveillance pursuant to CD 568-8 - Authority for Use of Surveillance Equipment.
  8. Video surveillance may be used as a supervision tool for areas that cannot have direct observation from security office/workstation; staff and contractors must prioritize dynamic security by conducting rounds during each shift pursuant to CD 566-4 - Counts and Security Patrols.
  9. The maintenance of electronic security systems of each CCC will be managed in accordance with CD 340 - Electronic Systems, and falls under the responsibility of Facilities resources from National and Regional Headquarters.

Control of Keys and Access Cards

  1. The CCC Manager must establish procedures for the identification, the issuing and control of keys or access cards (in CCCs where such cards are used), the damage of locks and/or access control hardware, the quick access to emergency keys and their operating performance, as well as the operational measures to be taken following the loss of keys or access cards.

Community Liaison and Outreach

  1. The CCC staff will have an active approach in the community and will liaise with local community partners, such as police, Citizen Advisory Committees, advocacy groups, Aboriginal organizations, victims groups, citizens and other persons or agencies.
  2. Volunteers and volunteer activities will complement the resources made available to the offenders by the CCC. The CCC will effectively encourage volunteer involvement to assist and interact with individual offenders with regard to their reintegration as appropriate.
  3. Where possible, offenders residing at the CCC will be encouraged and provided opportunities to participate in activities that involve giving back to the community.

ENQUIRIES

  1. Strategic Policy Division
    National Headquarters
    Email: Gen-NHQPolicy-Politi@csc-scc.gc.ca

Commissioner,

Original Signed by:
Don Head

ANNEX A

CROSS-REFERENCES AND DEFINITIONS

CROSS-REFERENCES

CD 003 - Peace Officer Designations

CD 023 - Citizen Advisory Committees

CD 081 - Offender Complaints and Grievances

CD 085 - Correspondence and Telephone Communication

CD 234 - Claims for Staff Personal Effects and Inmate Personal Effects and the Offender Accident Compensation Program

CD 259 - Exposure to Second Hand Smoke

ISD 335 - Fleet Management

CD 340 - Electronic Systems

CD 345 - Fire Safety

CD 530 - Death of an Inmate: Notifications and Funeral Arrangements

CD 560 - Dynamic Security and Supervision

CD 566-1 - Control of Entry to and Exit from Institutions

CD 566-4 - Counts and Security Patrols

CD 566-7 - Searching of Offenders

CD 566-8 - Searching of Staff and Visitors

CD 566-9 - Searching of Cells/Rooms, Vehicles and Other Areas

CD 566-10 - Urinalysis Testing

CD 566-12 - Personal Property of Offenders

CD 566-13 - Detector Dog Program

CD 568-2 - Recording and Sharing of Security Information and Intelligence

CD 568-5 - Management of Seized Items

CD 568-8 - Authority for Use of Surveillance Equipment

CD 600 - Management of Emergencies

CD 650 - Technical Security Systems

CD 705-4 - Orientation

CD 706 - Classification of Institutions

GL 714-1 - Consultation Guidelines for the Establishment and/or Relocation of Community Correctional Centres

GL 714-2 - Safe Storage and Access to Offender Medications in Community Correctional Centres

CD 715 - Community Supervision Framework

CD 715-1 - Community Supervision

CD 715-2 - Post-Release Decision Process

CD 715-3 - Community Assessments

CD 719 - Long-Term Supervision Orders

CD 800 - Health Services

CD 860 - Offender's Money

CD 870 - Maintenance Allowance for Offenders

Fire Safety Manual

Guide to Accident Compensation for Federal Offenders

DEFINITIONS

Age of majority : the age at which a person is considered to be an adult by the province or territory where the institution someone wishes to visit is located.

Intrusion detection alarm system : system designed to detect unauthorized access and to activate appropriate responses from:

  • a central alarm station that centralizes information sent by the detectors and decides to launch the alarm
  • detectors
  • a device (siren, call system) designed to sound the alarm
  • control devices (remote control, keyboard) from which users can activate or deactivate the system.

Community Correctional Centre (CCC) : a federally operated community-based residential facility that provides a structured living environment with 24-hour supervision, programs and interventions for the purpose of safely reintegrating offenders into the community. These facilities, which may also have an enhanced programming component, accommodate offenders under federal jurisdiction who have been released to the community on unescorted temporary absences, day parole, full parole, work releases, statutory release, as well as those subject to long-term supervision orders.

Fixed-point alarm : a permanently installed security device that triggers an alarm when activated.

Personal portable alarm : a mobile security device that triggers an alarm at a central control centre when activated, and identifies the specific alarm unit and/or its designated location.

ANNEX B

AGE OF MAJORITY

Province Age of majority Reference
Nova-Scotia 19 Age of Majority Act, R.S.N.S., c. 4, s. 2(1)
New-Brunswick 19 Age of Majority Act, R.S.N.B. 2011, c. 103
Newfoundland and Labrador 19 Age of Majority Act, SNL 1995, Chapter A-4.2
Québec 18 Code civil, art. 153
Ontario 18 Age of Majority and Accountability Act, R.S.O., 1990, c. A7, s. 1
Manitoba 18 Age of Majority Act, R.S.M., c. A7, s. 1
Saskatchewan 18 Age of Majority Act, R.S.S. 1978, c. A-6, s. 1
Alberta 18 Age of Majority Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. A-6, s. 1
British-Columbia 19 Age of Majority Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 7, s. 1

NOTE: Some provinces and the territories are not listed, as CSC does not have institutions in those sites.

For more information

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