Policy Bulletin 586

Policy number and titles:

CD 705-6 - Correctional Planning and Criminal Profile

CD 705-7 - Security Classification and Penitentiary Placement

CD 710-1 - Progress Against the Correctional Plan

GL 710-2-3 - Inmate Transfer Processes

GL 710-2-4 - Movement Within Clustered/Multi- Level Institutions

CD 710-6 - Review of Inmate Security Classification

CD 712-1 - Pre-Release Decision-Making

CD 715-2 - Post-Release Decision Process

Why were the policies changed?

As a result of the recommendations stemming from the Office of the Auditor General’s (OAG)  performance audit report, Preparing Indigenous Offenders for Release (2016), several changes were made to include important new requirements as well as to clarify existing policy.

The clarifications and changes to the policy framework are detailed below. A specific description of clarification and changes for each policy is provided under the heading for the relevant Commissioner’s Directive.

• The requirement for a Security Classification  Review to be completed for Aboriginal offenders following the successful completion of a main program and/or at specific intervals while participating in Pre-Pathways interventions and Pathways units.
• The Criminal History Record section of the Static Factors Assessment (SFA) will now yield a Criminal Risk Index (CRI) to assist in the assessment of static risk and guide offender intervention levels based on risk level.
• Guidance on how to consider and document Aboriginal social history (ASH) is included in all policies where necessary.

What has changed?

The following are the specific changes to each policy:

CD 705-6 – Correctional Planning and Criminal Profile

• The requirement to complete the Criminal Risk Index for all offenders, which include offenders in the Compressed Offender Intake Assessment stream, was added to paragraph 12.
• The Criminal Risk Index Scoring Guidelines have been added to the policy under Annex C. As a result of this addition, all existing annexes have been updated to reflect this change.
• Additional cross-references were added. Definitions for the Criminal Risk Index and Serious Harm were added. A precision to the Domain Analysis definition with respect to ASH consideration was also included.
• For Aboriginal offenders, additional guidance was provided to assist Parole Officers in considering and documenting the impact of Aboriginal social history on their offending. These prompts were weaved throughout the policy in paragraphs 17 and 36 as well as in Annex E – Dynamic Factor Identification and Analysis, Revised (DFIA-R); Annex F – Criminal Profile and Annex G - Correctional Plan. A new Annex H – Dynamic Factors and Aboriginal Social History was introduced to provide general examples of how to incorporate Aboriginal social history specifically within the dynamic factors and how different cultural and restorative options may be able to meet each need area.
• “Significant events” was added to paragraphs 41 and 42.

CD 705-7 – Security Classification and Penitentiary Placement

• For Aboriginal offenders, additional guidance was provided to assist Parole Officers in considering and documenting the impact of Aboriginal social history on the three risk factors and overall assessment of Annex E – Assessment for Decision for a Security Classification and Penitentiary Placement.
• Additional cross-references were added.

CD 710-1 – Progress Against the Correctional Plan

• The responsibility of the Assistant Warden, Interventions, to schedule and chair the Pathways Progress Review Meeting at least every 6 months for Aboriginal offenders classified as maximum and medium security was added.
• Circumstances under which a Correctional Plan is updated have been added.
• Cross-references to GL 702-1 – Establishment and Operation of Pathways Initiatives have been added to Annex A.  The definition for Pathways Progress Review Meeting has been added.
• For Aboriginal offenders, additional guidance was provided to assist Parole Officers in considering and documenting the impact of Aboriginal social history in the overall assessment of Annex C – Key Ratings Reassessment Framework and Annex D – Correctional Plan Update.

GL 710-2-3 – Inmate Transfer Processes

• For Aboriginal offenders, additional guidance was provided to assist Parole Officers in considering and documenting the impact of Aboriginal social history in the overall assessment of Annex C – Assessment for Decision for Transfers.
• Additional cross-references were added.

GL 710-2-4 – Movement Within Clustered/Multi-Level Institutions

• For Aboriginal offenders, additional guidance was provided to assist Parole Officers in considering and documenting the impact of Aboriginal social history  in the overall assessment of Annex B – Assessment for Decision for Movements.
• Additional cross-references were added.

CD 710-6 – Review of Inmate Security Classification

• Paragraph 7 clarifies that if the Security Classification Review to be completed at least once every two years for Aboriginal offenders classified at maximum or medium security level falls while the offender is taking a main program, the Security Classification Review will be completed in accordance with paragrah 8. 
• Paragraphs 8 and 9 provide a new requirement to complete a Security Classification Review for Aboriginal offenders following successful completion of correctional programs and/or at specific intervals while participating in Pre-Pathways interventions and Pathways units.
• Paragraph 10 was added to clarify that Security Classification Reviews, in accordance with paragraphs 7, 8 and 9, are not required if the inmate has a confirmed release within 90 days.
• Paragraph 11 clarifies that a Security Classification Review (SRS/SRSW and Assessment for Decision) is required if there is a change in security level prior to making a recommendation for any decision.
• For Aboriginal offenders, additional guidance was provided to assist Parole Officers in considering and documenting the impact of Aboriginal social history in the assessment of Annex B – Assessment for Decision for a Security Reclassification.
• Additional cross-references were added.
• Definitions for Pathways Progress Review Meeting and Main Program have been added to Annex A.

CD 712-1 – Pre-Release Decision-Making

• Additional cross-references were added.
• For Aboriginal offenders, additional guidance was provided to assist Parole Officers in considering and documenting the impact of Aboriginal social history in the overall assessment of Annex E – Assessment for Decision for Parole/Statutory Release/Long-Term Supervision Order.

CD 715-2 – Post-Release Decision Process

• For Aboriginal offenders, additional guidance was provided to assist Parole Officers in considering and documenting the impact of Aboriginal social history in the overall assessment of Annex B – Assessment for Decision for Post Suspension/Change Conditions; Annex C – Correctional Plan Update – Community Progress – Release Maintained; and Annex D – Risk Assessment Framework.
• Paragraph 28 has been modified in the French version to provide the Parole Officer with the same discretion as found in the English version to ensure file information is up to date.
• Additional cross-references were added.

How were they developed?

These policies were reviewed and amended by the Correctional Operations and Programs in cooperation with the Policy Sector and Aboriginal Initiatives Directorate. In addition, internal and external consultations were undertaken throughout the development of these policies.

Who will be affected by the policies?

The changes will affect case management staff and all offenders.

Accountabilities?

Roles and responsibilities are detailed in the policy documents.

Other impacts?

OMS screens have been changed to include the CRI scoring in the Static Factors Assessment and the Correctional Plan as well as the consideration of Aboriginal social history in the Assessment for Decisions.

Date modified:

2023-06-12