Policy Bulletin 654
Policy Bulletin
Number: 654
In Effect: 2020-01-24
Related links:
Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 768 – Institutional Mother-Child Program
Policy numbers and titles:
Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 768 – Institutional Mother-Child Program
Why was the policy changed?
This policy has been updated as part of CSC’s regular policy review cycle.
What has changed?
The revised policy puts a stronger emphasis on maintaining the mother-child bond, to the extent possible, throughout the program application or re-application process.
Among the major changes are:
- Additional responsibilities for the Mother-Child Coordinator have been included.
- Additional responsibilities for the Chief of Health Services or delegate have been included.
- Additional responsibilities for the Institutional Head.
- Eligibility criteria for the residential component of the Mother-Child Program have been clarified.
- Information concerning impact on program participation for mothers and inmate babysitters residing in the Structured Intervention Unit, Enhanced Support House and Structured Living Environment.
- Direction has been added to provide clarity in situations where the child is due or delivered before the application process is completed.
- Information has been added to indicate that when the inmate’s reclassification from maximum to medium is pending, the application will be processed up to the point of approval; and to provide timeframes for the decision by the Institutional Head.
- Direction has been added to support mother and child contact during the re-application process for mothers previously participating in the program, upon their re-admission to custody. The Institutional Head will institute a plan to ensure the mother maintains as much contact as possible with her child.
- Timeframes have been established for each phase of the residential Mother-Child Program application process.
- Clarification has been added to ensure it is recognized that all mothers, regardless of security classification, may participate in the non-residential components of the Mother-Child Program.
- Various definitions have been added and amended to reflect the changes.
- Note as well that all references to Guidelines 768-1 – Institutional Mother-Child Program – Child Link were removed as the Guidelines are being rescinded. The Child Link Program was replaced with video visitation.
How was it developed?
The policy revisions were made by the Women Offender Sector in consultation with Strategic Policy and following consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
Who will be affected by the policy?
Applies to staff , inmate mothers and inmates at women offender institutions and units and to contractors and volunteers involved in the Institutional Mother-Child Program.
- Date modified: