Policy Bulletin

Policy Bulletin 494

Why was the policy changed?

As a key component of CSC’s comprehensive mental health strategy, a refined model of care that includes Intermediate Mental Health Care (IMHC) was implemented at CSC’s Treatment Centres and at specific institutions in all regions. In light of this, it was determined that the development of transfer procedures for inmates admitted for IMHC was necessary.

What has changed?

PROCESS FOR A REFERRAL FOR IMHC

The referral process for Intermediate Mental Health Care will be completed in accordance with the Service Delivery Guidelines for Psychiatric and Hospital and Intermediate Mental Health Care and the Treatment Centre Admission and Discharge Planning Guidelines. Admissions for IMHC do not require consent from the inmate. Consent for treatment must always be obtained. Referrals will be reviewed by the Intermediate Mental Health Care Team comprised of clinical, operational and case management staff at the receiving institution. The inmate must meet the clinical admission criteria to be admitted to intermediate mental health care. The authority for accepting/declining a referral rests with the Clinical Manager and/or Executive Director, in consultation with the Institutional Head at the receiving site.
Once a referral decision has been rendered, the transfer process can be initiated by the sending site.

PROCESS FOR THE TRANSFER OF AN INMATE FOR IMHC

An inmate can be penitentiary placed directly from a reception centre or be transferred for IMHC at a treatment center or an institution. When a penitentiary placement or transfer for IMHC is at a treatment center, the co-located institution will be the inmate’s primary institution. All penitentiary placement or transfer decisions for IMHC will consider the referral decision made by the Executive Director or Clinical Manager as well as an assessment of the criteria outlined in section 28 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act . The penitentiary placement and transfer of the inmate will be completed in accordance with Commissioner’s Directive 705-7 – Security Classification and Penitentiary Placement and GL 710-2-3 – Inmate Transfer Processes.

In situations where the transfer of the inmate for IMHC is involuntary, staff will comply with sections 12 and 13 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations. The Notice of Transfer Recommendation must contain sufficient detailed information to allow the inmate to understand the case against him and be able to respond to the recommendation.

When an inmate is admitted (voluntary or certified) to a Treatment Center for psychiatric hospital care, the transfer process remains unchanged, and the sending institution remains the inmate’s primary institution. In situations where the inmate is being discharged from psychiatric hospital care; and is ultimately referred and admitted for intermediate mental health care at the Treatment Centre, the transfer process will be initiated by the inmate’s primary institution.

How was this policy developed?

These amendments result from discussions held between the Correctional Operations and Programs Sector and the Health Services Sector, in consultation with Legal Services.

Who is affected by these changes?

All CSC employees involved in the oversight and supervision of offenders.

Next Steps

GL 710-2-3 – Inmate Transfer Processes are currently being reviewed, and the above noted procedures will be incorporated.

Expected cost?

None anticipated.

Contacts:

  • Director, Institutional Reintegration Operations
  • 613-995-7954

For more information

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