Commissioner's Directive 715-1
Community Supervision

Commissioner's Directive

Number: 715-1

In Effect: 2019-04-15

Related links

Policy Bulletin 633

Authorities

Purpose

To provide direction on assessing and managing an offender’s transition to the community following release
To provide direction on the completion of Staff Safety Assessments and application of tandem supervision

Applications

Applies to staff responsible for community supervision, including unescorted temporary absences and work releases

Contents

Responsibilities

  1. The District Director will ensure:
    1. procedures are in place to assist the offender in obtaining appropriate documentation/identification such as birth certificate, Indian Status card, Métis card, citizenship/permanent resident card, health coverage, Social Insurance Number
    2. procedures for High Profile Offenders are followed pursuant to Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 701 - Information Sharing
    3. procedures outlined in CD 784 - Victim Engagement are followed
    4. tandem supervision practices are respected
    5. police receive relevant information pertaining to offenders’ release activities.
  2. The Area Director will:
    1. ensure processes are in place to share offender related information with police
    2. approve any submission to reduce levels of intervention during the first 90 days of release for offenders granted one-chance statutory release and for offenders subject to long-term supervision orders released at warrant expiry date
    3. review submissions for an exception to the application of the tandem supervision requirement.
  3. The Parole Officer Supervisor or Manager, Community Correctional Centre (CCC), will:
    1. ensure continuity of the Correctional Plan
    2. review and approve the offender’s Correctional Plan Update and any change to their level of intervention.
  4. The Parole Officer will:
    1. maintain and update the Correctional Plan in consultation with the offender
    2. assist and support the offender to actively participate in meeting the objectives of their Correctional Plan
    3. monitor the offender’s behaviour, release conditions and compliance with court-ordered obligations
    4. obtain all relevant information from community-based residential facilities (CBRF) as identified in the contract requirements
    5. develop and implement interventions which address and respond to the offender’s risk and needs
    6. confirm, with the offender, current pieces of identification upon release
    7. discuss and amend, if necessary, the offender’s plan to obtain outstanding pieces of identification as soon as possible
    8. assist the offender in obtaining outstanding pieces of identification, including their health card (refer to Appendices F and H of the National Essential Health Services Framework)
    9. monitor the ongoing progress of the offender’s plan in obtaining outstanding pieces of identification
    10. document all actions taken to assist the offender (or the offender’s refusal) in obtaining outstanding pieces of identification in a Casework Record entitled “Personal Documents – Post-Rel”
    11. document all relevant information about the offender’s circumstances, within established timeframes and parameters.
  5. The offender is expected to:
    1. participate in the consultation process for the maintenance of their Correctional Plan
    2. actively participate in meeting the objectives identified in their Correctional Plan.

Procedures

Staff Safety and Tandem Supervision

  1. The Staff Safety Assessment (Annex B) will be completed by the supervising Parole Officer prior to any community supervision contact, excluding contacts at a community-based residential facility, and no later than 10 working days following:
    1. an offender’s initial release (including releases following a revocation)
    2. case reassignment
    3. a change in release type
    4. the Parole Officer’s determination that factors have arisen that may have a possible impact on staff safety, or
    5. an offender’s release from remand or immigration hold or the cancellation of a suspension in the case of offenders who went unlawfully at large and whose Staff Safety Assessment was not completed at the time of initial release.
  2. A Staff Safety Assessment is not required pursuant to the above criteria in the case of offenders taken into provincial custody in relation to a remand order or an immigration hold, or for offenders who went unlawfully at large.
  3. All staff members will ensure the Staff Safety Assessment is reviewed prior to the first meeting with an offender in the community (excluding contacts at a community-based residential facility) and the review is documented in a Casework Record.
  4. If tandem supervision is required, all community supervision contacts, except those at a community-based residential facility or in public areas, will occur with an authorized tandem partner. This includes transporting an offender in a vehicle.
  5. "Tandem partner" refers to the second individual authorized by policy or the District Director to complete tandem supervision. Authorized individuals include:
    1. any CSC staff member
    2. Peace Officers (including Police Officers and Provincial Probation/Parole Officers)
    3. Community Assessment and Parole Supervision (CAPS) contractors
    4. individuals authorized by the District Director by name.
  6. These persons must meet both the following minimum standards:
    1. have a valid Reliability Status
    2. have been briefed on the offender’s criminal history and case dynamics as they relate to staff safety risk factors.
  7. If, during the initial assessment or within the first 90 days, the tandem supervision criteria are met and there are no staff safety issues, the Area Director can make an exception to this requirement.
  8. Tandem supervision can be reviewed and removed by the Area Director/Parole Officer Supervisor after the 90-day period has elapsed and the offender still meets tandem supervision criteria.
  9. If an offender’s release has been suspended within a 90-day tandem supervision period and the suspension is subsequently cancelled, the Case Management Team will consider whether to continue or restart the active tandem supervision period.
  10. Offenders who are active tandem supervision cases are not permitted to participate in private home placements.

Release and Initial Interview

  1. Within 24 hours of release, CSC will provide police with the following:
    1. an up-to-date offender photograph
    2. a copy of the release certificate, which includes the territorial boundaries noted under Special Instructions
    3. the Standard Profile
    4. the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) Decision Sheet (if applicable).
  2. The Parole Officer will meet the offender within one working day of arrival at the release destination (excluding offenders who remain in custody on remand or an immigration hold/ removal order).
  3. When this deadline cannot be met due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. release to remote area where the Parole Officer or contractor only travels once per week), upon approval of the Parole Officer Supervisor/CCC Manager, the meeting will take place as soon as possible and the reason for the delay will be documented in a Casework Record.
  4. During the initial interview, the Parole Officer will review the offender’s Correctional Plan and current circumstances and complete the Initial Interview Checklist (CSC/SCC 1331).
  5. Levels of intervention are determined according to the criteria indicated below:
    1. Level I (Intensive Supervision) – A minimum of eight face-to-face contacts per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the following three criteria are met:
      1. the offender is on statutory release
      2. their reintegration potential is rated as low at intake and at release
      3. their static or dynamic factors are assessed as high or when one of the following criteria is met:
      4. the offender is granted one-chance statutory release, or
      5. the offender is released from custody at warrant expiry date and subject to a long-term supervision order.
    2. Level A - A minimum of four face-to-face contacts per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the level of intervention on either static or dynamic factors is assessed as high.
    3. Level A - Residency – A minimum of four face-to-face contacts per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the Level I (Intensive Supervision) criteria is met and the offender is residing in one of the following CBRFs: a CCC, a Community Residential Facility (CRF), or a Treatment Centre; this does not include “other location”.
    4. Level B - A minimum of two face-to-face contacts per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the highest level of intervention on either static or dynamic factors is assessed as medium.
    5. Level B - Residency – A minimum of two face-to-face contacts per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the Level A criteria is met and the offender is residing in one of the following CBRFs: a CCC, a CRF, or a Treatment Centre; this does not include “other location”.
    6. Level C - A minimum of one face-to-face contact per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the level of intervention on both static and dynamic factors is assessed as low.
    7. Level C -Residency – A minimum of one face-to-face contact per month between the Parole Officer and the offender is required when the Level B criteria is met and the offender is residing in one of the following CBRFs: a CCC, a CRF, or a Treatment Centre; this does not include “other location”.
    8. Level D- A minimum of one face-to-face contact every two months between the Parole Officer and the offender may be approved for an offender who meets the following conditions:
      1. the offender has been under supervision at level C for a minimum of one year, not including any time spent on day parole
      2. the offender’s Correctional Plan indicates that programming, counselling or other interventions are not required.
    9. Level E - A minimum of one face-to-face contact between the Parole Officer and offender every three months may be approved for an offender who has been under level D supervision for a minimum of one year.

Assessment of the Level of Intervention and Confirmation of Program Referral(s)

  1. All offenders, except those assessed as requiring level I supervision or those offenders in custody on outstanding charges, on immigration hold/removal order, or held in a health facility (dual status offenders), will be supervised at level A until the level of intervention is reviewed. Offenders assessed as requiring level I supervision will be supervised at level I until the level of intervention is reviewed.
  2. The level of intervention for offenders in custody on outstanding charges, on immigration hold/removal order or held in a health facility (dual status offenders) will be suspended while the offender is in a secure facility. If required, contact between the Parole Officer and the offender (i.e. face-to-face or by telephone/videoconference) may occur. Contact with the provincial facility and/or Immigration officials will be maintained to obtain the outcome of decisions rendered in their respective areas of authority. The offender’s level of intervention will resume once the offender is released back into the community (i.e. bail) following their remand in provincial custody for outstanding charges, their hold by Immigration Canada, or their release from a health facility. At that time, the initial interview will be completed.
  3. The Parole Officer will review, with the Parole Officer Supervisor/CCC Manager, the Correctional Plan, Community Strategy, level of intervention, program referrals and offender’s adjustment to the community within 30 days of release.
    1. If there is no change to the level of intervention, key ratings or program referrals, the results of the review will be recorded in a Casework Record.
    2. If there are changes to the level of intervention (e. g. the level of supervision is lowered due to the offender residing in one of the following CBRFs: a CCC, a CRF, or a Treatment Centre) and/or program referral(s), this will be documented in a Correctional Plan Update as outlined in Annex E.
  4. For intensive supervision cases, the level of intervention will be reviewed again 90 days following release. Any change to the level of intervention will be documented in a Correctional Plan Update.
  5. Offenders released on one-chance statutory release and those subject to long-term supervision orders who had been detained will be supervised at level I for at least 90 days following release. Any exceptions to this standard (e.g. where at the 30-day review, the Parole Officer and Parole Officer Supervisor/CCC Manager assess that intensive supervision is not necessary) require approval by the Area Director and documentation in a Correctional Plan Update.
  6. These cases will be reviewed prior to the end of the 90 days. A reduction in supervision will require documentation in a Correctional Plan Update. If there is no change, this review can be documented in a Casework Record.

Monitoring Offender Progress

  1. The Parole Officer must meet with the offender at the required level of intervention, or more often if necessary, to assess progress against the Correctional Plan and monitor special conditions. Contacts with the offender will include community visits to ensure the Parole Officer gathers information about the offender in their environment. The contact will be documented in a Casework Record. In the event of a missed contact, the rationale will be documented in a Casework Record.
  2. When the level of intervention cannot be met due to exceptional circumstances or those beyond the Parole Officer’s control, the level of intervention may be decreased following a case conference with the Parole Officer Supervisor/CCC Manager. When the exception is granted to not meet the level of intervention for a period of less than one month (e.g. hospitalization, illness, natural disaster, weather prohibits meeting with the offender), the case conference will be documented in a Casework Record. Lengthier exceptions will be recorded in a Correctional Plan Update.
  3. In cases where the Area Director has authorized a leave of up to a maximum of 15 days per occurrence for emergency medical reasons or up to a maximum of three days per occurrence for compassionate reasons, the Parole Officer will document the information in the next Correctional Plan Update shared with PBC. The Board’s authorization is required for leave exceeding 15 days for emergency medical reasons or exceeding three days for compassionate reasons.
  4. The Parole Officer will establish a network of collateral contacts to verify offender reported information and to gather information on the behaviour of the offender, throughout the supervision period.
  5. When deemed necessary, the Parole Officer will contact police to verify whether the collateral contact is known to police and/or identify the existence of a criminal record, if consent from the collateral contact is obtained as outlined in the Consent CPIC Clearance Request (CSC/SCC 1279 01).
  6. Where there are police reporting requirements, these will be verified by the Parole Officer.
  7. All relevant offender and collateral contacts will be recorded in Casework Records within five working days. Casework Records will also be completed prior to a transfer of supervision. Any collateral contact with police wherein security or intelligence information is received will be recorded in a Statement/Observation Report and shared as per CD 568-2- Recording and Sharing of Security Information and Intelligence.
  8. The Parole Officer will provide the offender with community resource information to facilitate the transition to the community and engagement in the Correctional Plan. Community Employment Centres and mental health services will be utilized where available and appropriate.
  9. The Parole Officer will obtain regular progress reports from individuals or agencies providing programming or counselling to the offender, in accordance with the Correctional Plan. This includes as applicable, methadone maintenance treatment, mental health and other program providers.
  10. The Parole Officer will promptly inform the police of:
    1. suspicion of criminal activities
    2. any modifications to release conditions
    3. actions taken in response to police information received
    4. any travel permits issued to the offender
    5. any relevant changes to the offender’s circumstances.
  11. At any time during the release, the Parole Officer may request assistance and/or a consultation with the Security Intelligence Officer for the following reasons:
    1. concerns regarding staff safety have become known
    2. the offender is suspected of re-engaging in criminal activity
    3. there have been repeated breaches during the supervision period
    4. there is a lack of transparency in relation to special conditions
    5. the offender is isolated or has special needs
    6. there will be a section 810 Criminal Code order at warrant expiry date and the offender requires monitoring for the final 90 days of the sentence
    7. the offender requires an enhanced level of monitoring due to mental health issues
    8. the offender was released from a maximum security institution.
  12. At any time during the release, the Parole Officer may make a referral to the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, in locations where one is in place, for access to Aboriginal community resources.

Case Conferences

  1. Regular case conferences, which include at a minimum the person supervising the offender and a Parole Officer Supervisor/CCC Manager, will be held:
    1. to discuss release plans or a change in the release plan
    2. prior to completion of a Correctional Plan Update or an Assessment for Decision
    3. to reassess risk and review progress
    4. to discuss any required interventions, such as program referrals.
  2. All case conferences must be documented in a Casework Record unless the information is contained within a Correctional Plan or an Assessment for Decision.
  3. If the initial release plan differs significantly from that approved by PBC, the Parole Officer will submit a recommendation of “Change Condition” as noted in Annex B of CD 715-2 - Post-Release Decision Process.

Updating Offender Progress

  1. Using the Rating Reassessment Framework (Annex C), the Correctional Plan will be updated:
    1. to add a program referral when the need/objectives are not already identified in the previous Correctional Plan or remove a program referral pursuant to CD 726 - Correctional Programs
    2. when recommending a change in the type of release or day parole is continued
    3. where circumstances warrant a reassessment.

Travel Permits

  1. A travel permit is required for all travel outside the established boundaries. Prior to approving travel outside the established boundaries, the Parole Officer will consider case specific factors that can include but are not limited to: purpose and length of travel, offender's current risk level, existence of high risk situations and/or triggers, progress and stability under supervision, security intelligence information, victim concerns, PBC decisions and applicable comments, and strategies to manage risk during the travel period.
  2. The decision to approve travel may require consultation with the parole office and/or the police at the destination location.
  3. A Community Assessment is normally completed prior to approving travel to a community contact unknown to the Parole Officer. Prior to the offender travelling, the Parole Officer needs to reconfirm the availability of the contact before approving the travel permit. If a Community Assessment is not completed, the rationale for approving the travel permit without a Community Assessment will be documented in a Casework Record.
  4. In cases in which the offender has been granted a travel permit to a different supervision area and police reporting is required, the supervising Parole Officer will verify police reporting following the offender’s return. In cases where the destination office is actively involved in the supervision of the offender (e.g. travel permits of a long duration), the destination office is responsible for verifying the police reporting. The contact with the police will be documented.
  5. The Parole Officer will advise the Security Intelligence Officer of any travel requested by offenders with links to criminal organizations, gangs or security threat groups.
  6. The established levels of intervention will be maintained during periods of travel.
  7. The Parole Officer will advise the Victim Services Unit of travel by offenders with victim notification, normally five days prior to the event.
  8. Travel will be confirmed by the Parole Officer following completion of the permit. When an offender is travelling to the same destination regularly, confirmation of travel need only occur based on case specific factors.
  9. Requests for out-of-country travel require a referral and recommendation to PBC to receive an exemption from the standard condition requiring the offender to remain in Canada. Refer to PBC Policy Manual and Exchange of Information Agreement Between CSC and Passport Canada, regarding out-of-country travel submissions. This does not apply to those offenders who have been granted a parole reduced status.
  10. If there are reasonable grounds to believe the offender is a member of or affiliated with a criminal organization, gang or security threat group, the Parole Officer will forward relevant information to the Security Intelligence Officer, prior to submitting an out-of-country travel recommendation to PBC. The Security Intelligence Officer will advise the Preventive Security and Intelligence branches at Regional and National Headquarters.
  11. The Parole Officer will include the results of the security review in the submission to PBC. If travel is approved by PBC, the Security Intelligence Officer will provide the travel itinerary to the Preventive Security and Intelligence Branches at Regional and National Headquarters.

Relocation or Reassignment of Offender’s Supervision

  1. Prior to transferring an offender to another supervising location, or reassigning the offender’s case to another Parole Officer, the supervising Parole Officer will consider the offender’s stability and case specific factors to ensure the transfer process is consistent with the goals of the Correctional Plan. Every effort will be made to avoid the transfer or reassignment of an offender who is in an unstable situation unless this will contribute to improved management of the offender’s risk.
  2. Prior to approving an offender’s request for relocation, the Parole Officer will consult with the destination office regarding supervision requirements and a need for a Community Assessment. A case conference with the receiving Parole Officer will be held and documented prior to a transfer or reassignment.
  3. Normally, where documents require translation, the sending office will translate the Criminal Profile Report, the Correctional Plan, the most recent Correctional Plan Update and Assessment for Decision, a current psychological/psychiatric report and any information impacting potential interventions, prior to the transfer of an offender.

High Profile Offenders

  1. If an event involves an offender with a high profile offender flag, the procedures regarding high profile offenders will be followed pursuant to CD 701 - Information Sharing.

Commissioner,

 

Original signed by:

Anne Kelly


Annex A
Cross-References and Definitions

Cross-References

CD 001 – Mission, Values and Ethics Framework of the Correctional Service of Canada
CD 568 – Management of Security Information and Intelligence
CD 568-2 – Recording and Sharing of Security Information and Intelligence
CD 700 – Correctional Interventions
CD 701 – Information Sharing
CD 702 – Aboriginal Offenders
CD 710-3 – Temporary Absences
CD 710-7 – Work Releases
CD 712-1 – Pre-Release Decision Making
CD 712-4 – Release Process
CD 712-5 – Pre-Release Case Preparation for Provincial/Territorial Offenders and Federal Offenders Incarcerated in Provincial/Territorial Facilities
CD 714 – Community Correctional Centre Standards
CD 715 – Community Supervision Framework
CD 715-2 – Post-Release Decision Process
CD 715-3 – Community Assessments
CD 715-4 – Case Preparation and Supervision of Women Offenders with Children Residing at a Community-Based Residential Facility
CD 719 – Long-Term Supervision Orders
CD 726 – Correctional Programs
CD 784 – Victim Engagement
CD 800 – Health Services

Specific Guidelines for the Treatment of Opiate Dependence (Methadone/Suboxone)
National Essential Health Services Framework

Definitions

Case conference: a formal meeting, consultation or discussion about an offender between two or more individuals.

Community-based residential facility: a designated facility that provides accommodation to offenders on parole, statutory release, temporary absence or long-term supervision order. This includes community correctional centres, community residential facilities, hostels, treatment centres, private home placements and other facilities designated as CBRFs.

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

Community residential facility: a community-based residential facility operated by a non-governmental agency or a provincial entity that provides a structured living environment with 24-hour supervision, programs and interventions for the purpose of safely reintegrating the offender into the community.

Community supervision contact: any supervision contact with the offender in the community.

Contractor: a person providing services of a prescribed class to the Correctional Service of Canada under a contract.

Day Parole to an other location: a location that provides accommodation to an offender on day parole, other than a penitentiary, community-based residential facility or provincial institution, as set out in subsection 99(1) of the CCRA. This includes a private home or private facility, which has not been designated as a community-based residential facility.

Dual status: offenders who are subject to a current federal sentence AND who are also subject to a finding of not criminally responsible pursuant to section 672.34 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Exception for tandem supervision: the Area Director’s authority to suspend the application of tandem supervision for offenders identified as meeting the established tandem supervision criteria, at the recommendation of the Case Management Team.

Parole reduced status: offenders who have had the majority of standard conditions removed by the Parole Board of Canada. Offenders who have been granted parole reduced status are only subject to three standard conditions, namely paragraphs 161(1)(a) and (c) and subparagraph 161(1)(g)(i) of the CCRR, which require them to report to their parole supervisor, obey the law and keep the peace, and notify the parole supervisor of any change in their address of residence.

Tandem supervision: the requirement to conduct community supervision visits with a second authorized individual.

Tandem supervision criteria: tandem supervision is a requirement in cases which meet one (or both) of the following criteria:

  1. offenders who have a criminal history involving any sexual offence and/or death and are assessed as high risk at intake (level of intervention based on static factors)
  2. offenders who have a criminal history involving any sexual offence and/or death and are classified as maximum security upon release (offender security level).

Treatment centre: a community-based residential facility, which provides a structured living environment with 24-hour on-site supervision, programming, support systems and monitoring for safe reintegration back into the community. The main objective of treatment centres is to address the identified treatment needs (e.g. addictions, mental health) of the offender under their care.

Annex B - Staff Safety Assessment


Reason for Safety Assessment:             Initial     Reassessment       Reassignment

Offender:______________________________  FPS: ______________________________

Release Type and Date: ______________________________

Parole Officer: ______________________________

Consider Each Factor in Relation to its Impact on Staff Safety

Offender Factors

1. History of violence Y/N
2. History of weapons use Y/N
3. History of predatory behaviour Y/N
4. Relationship between intoxicants and violent behaviour Y/N
5. Previous hostility or assault on staff Y/N
6. Instability of intimate relationships Y/N
7. Mental health issues  Y/N
8. Links to organized crime/gangs, etc. Y/N
9. Assigned Parole Officer meets the profile of the offender’s victim(s) Y/N
10. Other Y/N

Environmental Factors

11. Remote location Y/N
12. Availability of police Y/N
13. Criminal history – at location Y/N
14. Proximity to criminal/gang activity Y/N
15. Uncooperative/hostile collateral Y/N
16. Restricted access to outside intervention Y/N
17. Restricted cell phone coverage Y/N
18. Other Y/N

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Tandem Supervision Criteria

19.  Tandem supervision is a requirement in cases which meet one (or both) of the following criteria:

  1. offenders who have a criminal history involving any sexual offence
    and/or death and are assessed as high risk at intake
    (level of intervention based on static factors)                                                           Y/N
  2. offenders who have a criminal history involving any sexual offence
    and/or death and are classified as maximum security upon release
    (offender security level)                                                                                          Y/N

Community Visit Strategy ( alternate interview location, police notification, emergency protocols, tandem supervision, etc.)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Parole Officer:______________________________

Parole Officer Supervisor/CCC Manager: ______________________________

Case Conference Date:______________________________


Exception/Removal (If Applicable)

Case Management Team Recommendation

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________


Area Director Final Decision                                                                 Approved / Not Approved

Rationale

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________


Area Director/Parole Officer Supervisor/CCC Manager:__________________________________

Date:______________________________________

Annex C - Rating Resssessment Framework

Level of Intervention Based on Static Factors

  1. A review of static factors (i.e. based on historical information related to risk that is available at the time of the offender’s admission to federal custody, such as rating on the Statistical Information on Recidivism Scale, criminal history record, offence severity record, sex offence history, detention criteria) produces a reliable estimate of the probability and severity of re-offending. This estimate, originally determined at intake, appears as a rating of level of intervention based on static factors. The rating is normally accurate throughout the offender’s period of incarceration and for the first six months of supervision on conditional release, at which time dynamic factors related to performance on release become increasingly dominant.
  2. The predictive accuracy of this rating can be improved in some cases by reviewing the following factors:
    1. time since the offender’s release
    2. existence of collateral contacts that could assist in the supervision
    3. significant disciplinary problems, suspensions or police intervention in the last year
    4. offender's progress and motivation to participate in their Correctional Plan.
  3. Only a significant and sustained change in the offender’s performance or situation justifies an increase or a decrease in the level of intervention based on static factors. Guidelines for adjusting the level are as follows:
    1. LOW
      • If the previous rating was LOW and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was MEDIUM and there have been significant and sustained improvements in the above factors.
    2. MEDIUM
      • If the previous rating was MEDIUM and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was HIGH and there have been significant and sustained improvements in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was LOW and there has been significant and sustained deterioration in the above factors.
    3. HIGH
      • If the previous rating was HIGH and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was MEDIUM and there has been significant deterioration in the above factors.

Level of Intervention Based on Dynamic Factors

  1. Reassessing the level of intervention based on dynamic factors begins with the reassessment of each of the dynamic factors, by examining each of the following areas:
    1. progress related to the Correctional Plan
    2. anything else that may affect the intensity of the dynamic factor (e.g. changes in personal situation, health, etc.).
  2. The rating for each dynamic factor may be as follows:
  3. Reassessment of the overall rating can then be conducted by examining the number and seriousness of the dynamic factors.
  4. The overall rating should only change if there are some changes in the reassessment of the dynamic factors. The overall rating may be:
    1. LOW
      • No identified dynamic factors (e.g. factors seen as an asset to community adjustment and/or no immediate need for improvement)
      • Relatively few identified dynamic factors and rated as “low or medium need for improvement”
    2. HIGH
      • Few identified dynamic factors but rated as “high need for improvement”
      • Multiple dynamic factors identified (regardless of degree or severity of needs)
    3. MEDIUM
      • Any combination of dynamic factor severity and number that lies outside of either the low or high scoring guidelines as identified above.
  5. During the reassessment process, it is possible to identify new dynamic factors for which intervention may improve the chances for the offender's eventual reintegration.

Accountability

  1. Accountability is the level of involvement of the offender in their Correctional Plan in relation to the obligation to modify behaviours identified as being problematic. Attitude, behaviour, and insight are critical components to offender accountability.
  2. The following criteria are used to assess an offender’s level of accountability:
    1. level of acceptance of responsibility for their criminal behaviour
    2. level of remorse and victim empathy
    3. institutional adjustment and/or behaviour under community supervision
    4. conduct that demonstrates respect for other persons and property
    5. communication to their Parole Officer of their willingness to engage in their Correctional Plan
    6. active participation in setting and achieving the objectives of their Correctional Plan
    7. understanding of their offence cycle
    8. understanding and commitment to their relapse prevention
    9. meeting of court-ordered obligations.

Overall Level of Accountability

  1. The guidelines for establishing the overall level of accountability are as follows:
    1. LOW – Offender rejects responsibility for their actions and fails to recognize their problems. Does not disclose emotional states, display guilt or victim empathy with evidence indicating a high level of denial and cognitive distortions.
    2. MODERATE – Offender may not fully accept responsibility for their actions but recognizes some of their problems. Displays some guilt and victim empathy with some evidence of denial and cognitive distortions.
    3. HIGH – Offender accepts responsibility for their actions and recognizes their problems. Willing to self-disclose, displays guilt and victim empathy with evidence indicating a low level of cognitive distortions.

Level of Motivation

  1. The criteria for reassessing motivation are:
    1. recognition that a problem exists with lifestyle, behaviour and resulting consequences
    2. level of comfort with problem and its impact on the offender’s life
    3. level of feeling of personal responsibility for the problem(s)
    4. willingness to change, i.e. expression of wish to change, or of intention to fully participate in Correctional Plan
    5. possession of skills and knowledge required to effect change in behaviour
    6. level of external support from family, friends or other community members
    7. past history related to demonstrated change.
  2. The level of motivation can be assessed as:
    1. LOW
      • Offender strongly rejects the need for change or is unwilling to participate in recommended programs or other interventions.
    2. MEDIUM
      • Offender may not fully accept overall assessment but will participate in recommended programs or other interventions.
    3. HIGH
      • Offender is self-motivated and will actively address problem areas.

Responsivity

  1. Responsivity is the presence of a characteristic(s) that influences the offender’s capacity to benefit from the targeted intervention(s).
  2. Responsivity indicators are identified as "Yes", "No" or "Unknown".
  3. The following factors are used to assess an offender’s responsivity:
    1. language barriers interfere with learning, work or intervention
    2. basic reading and/or writing skills are problematic
    3. concentration problems are evident
    4. introverted/shy
    5. displays chronic antisociality
    6. may have a learning disability
    7. low self-esteem
    8. intellectually disabled
    9. may have other issues that would interfere with programming
    10. suicide attempts/self-injury history
    11. grief or loss
    12. has unique cultural communication style
    13. expresses interest in strengthening culture, or
    14. any other factor.
  4. Overall responsivity is identified as "Yes" or "No".

Engagement

  1. Engagement is the demonstrated willingness of an offender to:
    1. actively participate in their assigned Correctional Plan
    2. be free of criminal and gang activity while under sentence
    3. display conduct that demonstrates respect
    4. obey the penitentiary rules and/or supervision requirements.
  2. Determine the offender’s engagement in their Correctional Plan. In order to be considered engaged, the offender must obtain a rating of either moderate or high in both accountability and motivation.
  3. Engagement is identified as "Yes" or "No".

Reintegration Potential

  1. The reassessment of the reintegration potential is based on the analysis of the offender's progress and the following elements:
    1. score on the Statistical Information on Recidivism Scale
    2. level of intervention, based on static factors
    3. level of intervention, based on dynamic factors
    4. level of motivation
    5. release history (number, type, success or failure).
  2. The reintegration potential should only change if the above have changed, and should be rated as:
    1. LOW
      • If the previous rating was LOW and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was MEDIUM and there has been significant deterioration in the above factors.
    2. MEDIUM
      • If the previous rating was MEDIUM and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was HIGH and there has been significant deterioration in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was LOW and there have been significant improvements in the above factors.
    3. HIGH
      • If the previous rating was HIGH and there have been no significant changes in the above factors.
      • If the previous rating was MEDIUM and there have been significant improvements in the above factors.

Annex D - Exchange of Information Agreement Between CSC and Passport Canada

  1. Under the terms of the Canadian Passport Order, Passport Canada can withhold passports from Canadian citizens who are subject to a term of imprisonment or forbidden to leave Canada or the territorial jurisdiction of a Canadian court by conditions imposed with respect to any temporary absence, work release, parole, statutory release or other similar regime of absence or release from a penitentiary or prison or any other place of confinement granted under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the Prison and Reformatories Act or any law made in Canada that contains similar release provisions [subparagraph 9(d)(i) of the Order].
  2. Passport Canada will consider issuing a passport to an offender only following a PBC decision allowing the offender to travel internationally. As part of the documentation submitted to Passport Canada, the applicant is required to submit the PBC Decision Sheet. There is no supporting documentation required from the supervising Parole Officer, as it is the applicant's responsibility to provide Passport Canada with all required documentation.
  3. In the event that Passport Canada requires confirmation or clarification of information submitted by the applicant, contact will be made with Passport Canada CSC liaison person at National Headquarters. If necessary, further follow-up with the supervising Parole Officer will be initiated by the CSC liaison person.
  4. If Passport Canada approves the issuance of a passport, a limited validity passport will be issued for the period of time that the offender is permitted to travel by PBC, or for the minimum duration required to meet entry/exit requirements of the country of travel.
  5. Where a limited validity passport is issued, the offender will sign an agreement with Passport Canada to return the passport to Passport Canada's Security Bureau upon return to Canada. The limited validity passport will be cancelled upon receipt by Passport Canada. A new passport will be required for each occasion that PBC allows the offender to travel internationally.
  6. Given that limited validity passports will be issued for offenders approved for international travel, it remains important that submissions to PBC for this purpose specify as accurately as possible the duration of the offender's anticipated travel.
  7. In cases where travel is approved by PBC for emergency or compassionate reasons, Passport Canada can issue passports within a short timeframe on a case-by-case basis.
  8. Unless Passport Canada is advised that the condition requiring an offender to remain at all times in Canada has been relieved by PBC, a passport will be denied or a valid passport will be revoked.
  9. Information from Passport Canada pertaining to a decision rendered is electronically communicated to CSC.
  10. The decision is in turn forwarded to the offender’s current institutional or community Parole Officer via email. The notification includes the offender’s name, FPS, date of decision and description. The description notes the decision rendered by Passport Canada (i.e. revoked, maintained, refused or issued).
  11. Upon receipt of a decision by Passport Canada, the Parole Officer will be required to do the following:
    1. print the decision
    2. discuss the decision and any implications on the offender’s risk management with their supervisor
    3. discuss this information and Passport Canada’s decision with the offender
    4. complete a Casework Record under "Case Conference"
    5. place the printed decision notification on the offender’s Case Management file.
  12. Every six months, Parole Officers will receive a report via email that will contain a list of all previous passport application decisions rendered with regard to offenders on their caseload.
  13. A Parole Officer will not receive such a report where they do not have any offenders on their current caseload who have had a decision rendered on a passport application since the implementation of this initiative.
  14. The foregoing does not apply to offenders with parole reduced status.
  15. Offenders who have been granted parole reduced status are only subject to three standard conditions, namely paragraphs 161(1)(a) and (c) and subparagraph 161(1)(g)(i) of the CCRR, which require them to report to their parole supervisor, obey the law and keep the peace, and notify the parole supervisor of any change in their address of residence. As such, they are not subject to paragraph 161(1)(b) of the CCRR and therefore refusal or revocation of passport services would not be undertaken with reference to subparagraph 9(d)(i) of the Canadian Passport Order.

Annex E - Correctional Plan Uptade – Community Progress – Report Guide

The main purpose of the Correctional Plan Update is to report on the offender’s progress in meeting their Correctional Plan objectives. When a Correctional Plan Update is prepared because release is being considered, the report includes the offender’s proposed release plan and provides sufficient information to support a request for a Community Strategy.

When an Assessment for Decision is prepared, the Correctional Plan Update becomes a key document that both supports the assessment and recommendation as well as decision-making.

The report contains the following sections:

Section 1 – Objectives/Expected Gains

Case Status

Provide a brief synopsis of the case, including:

If a referral is being made for cancellation, revocation and/or a change in conditions, or recommending a lay of information for an offender subject to a long-term supervision order:

Ratings Reassessment and Correctional Plan Progress

Using the Key Ratings Reassessment Framework (Annex C), update the relevant ratings, highlighting any changes that have occurred from the beginning of the sentence. Specify what changes, if any, have occurred concerning the Correctional Plan objectives, including court-ordered obligations, obtaining missing pieces of identification, commenting on the impact of programs and interventions, updated mental health information and relevant security information.

Offence Cycle

Update, if required, the offence cycle, and comment on any changes regarding the offender’s understanding of the cycle.

Correctional and Sentence Planning

In consultation with the offender and other members of the Case Management Team:

Section 2 – Analysis of Current Request

If a new Community Strategy is required, summarize the offender’s release plan, including the following:

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