Policy bulletin 499

Policy Bulletin

Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 714 – Community Correctional Centre Standards has been streamlined in an effort to ensure better placement of security-related procedures within the appropriate security policies.

Security elements that were removed from CD 714 are now placed in the above-noted CDs in the 566 series. Additional security-related amendments were made to respond to the needs of CSC.

As well, the elements relating to access to medications were removed from CD 714 and are now placed in new Guidelines (GL) 714-2 – Safe Storage and Access to Offender Medications in Community Correctional Centres.

CDs 566-1, 566-7 and 566-8 have been amended to reflect amendments to the Regulations authorizing CSC to conduct additional routine searches (without individualized suspicion) of inmates, staff and visitors when entering or leaving a secure area of a penitentiary. The term secure area, which was not previously part of the CCRR, has been added to section two of the CCRR and is defined as “an area within the penitentiary designated by the Institutional Head by means of institutional standing orders for that purpose.” The standing order will be made available to staff and inmates so that they are aware of the areas within the penitentiary that have been designated as a secure area. Also, CSC will use signage to denote an area as a secure area and to indicate that routine searches may be conducted when entering or leaving the secure area.

The above-noted policies are presented in the new format as part of the Commissioner’s Directives Standardization Project.

CDs 566-1, 566-7 and 566-8 now include the requirements surrounding the designation of secure areas.

CD 566-4 adds detail to frequency and procedures for both counts and security patrols in Community Correctional Centres (CCCs). The definition of informal counts has been modified to further distinguish from requirements of formal counts. Paragraph 34 adds additional information on the process for determining the presence of a live breathing body.

CDs 566-7 and 566-9 have been expanded to provide additional clarity as to searching of offenders, rooms and areas in CCCs. The reporting requirements have also been modified slightly in both of these CDs.

CD 566-8 now incorporates CCC-specific practices in terms of procedures for denying access to the facility to visitors.

Annex C – Institutional Search Plan and Annex D – Community Correctional Centres Search Plan have been amended to provide more concise direction and clarity for staff.

CD 566-12 has been changed as outlined below.

CD 566-12 incorporates elements on offender personal property previously found in CD 714 to provide greater detail about the recording, storage and procedures for removal of goods in CCCs. It also clarifies which sections of the CCRR apply to specific circumstances, such as an offender unlawfully at large and the death of an offender while in custody.

Changes have been made to clarify policy such as the Manager, CCC, having the discretion to authorize mobile phones with a camera and video recorder, and to confiscate items that jeopardize the safety and security of the institution.

As well, all USB ports on newly purchased electronic items, and on electronic items that are already listed on the Inmate Personal Property Record, must be disabled by using a USB port blocker with a lock and key system and a CSC-approved tamper-proof seal placed on top.

Changes have also been made to the National Lists of Personal Property for Men and Women Inmates (Annexes B and C). These changes have been approved by EXCOM.

The following items have been added:

• musical instrument accessories
• four (4) replacement heads for electric toothbrushes (with the exception of maximum level institutions)
• two (2) light bulbs
• one (1) mouth guard (fitness)
• board games
• two (2) ribbon shirts.

The following items have been removed (and should be shipped out or sent to storage):

• clothing shavers
• waist pouches
• bandannas.

Other changes include:

• Wind instruments are at the Institutional Head’s discretion in maximum security.
• The size of desk fans permitted at maximum level institutions has been increased from 6 inches to 12 inches.
• The maximum television screen size has been increased from 16 inches to 19 inches.
• Stereos systems are to be either 10 watts RMS or 50 watts PMP with no condenser microphones, microphones, shortwave capability, loud-hailer capacity, recording capacity or detachable speakers permitted.
• Water bottles and mugs have been increased from 12 ounces maximum to 16 ounces.
• Hair dryers/blowers have been increased from 1600 watts to 2000 watts maximum.
• Belt buckles are to be a maximum size of 2 x 2 inches.
• Pyjamas are permitted at all security levels.
• One (1) floor mat/praying mat is permitted. The size has increased to 52” x 34” and the mats are to be stored when not in use.
• Legal materials on “burned” CDs/DVDs of a known origin are permitted.

In addition, the following changes have been made to the National List of Personal Property for Women Inmates:

• Manicure kit has been removed, and replaced with one (1) nail file and one (1) cuticle pusher.
• One (1) flat iron (or electric curling iron) is permitted.
• Two (2) athletic supports have been added.
• Tracksuits have been removed. These are now to be counted as separate items.
• The requirement of only one summer and one winter sweater has been removed.
• Three (3) hats/caps/toques have been replaced with three (3) ballcaps and one (1) toque.

In CD 714, two new sections entitled “Application” and “Enquiries” have been added. Responsibilities have also been added in relation to offenders’ behaviour as a result of the new Safe Streets and Communities Act (formerly known as Bill C-10). Cross-references and definitions are now found in Annex A of the CD.

New GL 714-2 have been developed.

Accountabilities for the designation of secure areas are the responsibility of the Institutional Head.

Those working in institutions and CCCs.

Inmates may be subjected to routine non-intrusive searches, routine frisk searches or routine strip searches where they are entering or leaving a penitentiary or a secure area. Inmates may also be subjected to routine non-intrusive searches or routine frisk searches when entering or leaving a work or activity area in a penitentiary. Previously, routine non-intrusive searches and routine frisk searches were only authorized when inmates were leaving a work or activity area.

Staff may be subjected to routine non-intrusive searches or routine frisk searches when they are entering or leaving a secure area of a penitentiary.

The amendments will allow staff to conduct a routine non-intrusive search or a routine frisk search when a visitor is entering or leaving a secure area of a penitentiary.

N/A

None.

• Nick Fabiano
• Director General, Security Branch
• National Headquarters
• 613-996-1135
• Nick.Fabiano@csc-scc.gc.ca