Policy bulletin 495

Policy Bulletin

These policies were changed due to the coming into force on 2015-06-18 of Bill C-12, An Act to Amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Drug-Free Prisons Act).

Among other provisions, this enactment amends the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to require the Parole Board of Canada (or a provincial parole board, if applicable) to cancel parole granted to an offender if, before the offender's release, the offender provides a positive urinalysis test result, or fails or refuses to provide a urine sample, and the Board considers that the criteria for granting parole are no longer met. CSC would be obligated to inform the Board of a positive urinalysis test or a failure or refusal of an offender to provide a urine sample.

In addition to the changes related to Bill C-12, the policies were modified to incorporate direction from relevant Security Bulletins or Case Management Bulletins, and provide clarification or technical updates in certain areas, as well as ensure compliance with the style and format of the Commissioner's Directives Standardization Project.

Requirements to follow procedures persuant to CD 712-1 – Pre-Release Decision-Making have been referenced as they relate to Bill C-12.

The length of time for specimens to be received at the lab has increased from six to eight days.

Specification of the volume of urine required per sample has been reintroduced.

Clarification on authority delegation as well as accountability to meet set frequencies has been included.

The pool of potential candidates in generating the random list has been increased from the minimum of 5% to 10% (paragraph 2), and the section on Random Selection (paragraphs 12 to 15) clarifies the use of the random list in specific instances.

A new section, entitled Urinalysis Prior to Release on Parole, has been added.

All references to the Community Corrections Liaison Officer (CCLO) position have been removed as a result of the sunset of the CCLO program on March 31, 2015. The requirement to consult with the local police force, where applicable, has been added.

A clarification has been made to paragraph 58, with respect to eligibility dates of day parole and unescorted temporary absence, in cases where there is a removal order.

These policies were revised by Security Operations, Institutional Reintegration Operations, and Strategic Policy.

Roles and responsibilities are detailed in the policy documents.

Contacts:

• Director
• Security Operations
• 613-996-1135
• Director
• Institutional Reintegration Operations
• 613-996-3622