Policy bulletin 643

Commissioner's Directive (CD) 890 - Inmate Owned Canteens

The Women Offender Sector recently completed an analysis of the health and hygiene credit allocated to inmates, including a gender and diversity-based analysis of impacts.

Findings demonstrated that an increase in the health and hygiene credit for inmates at women’s institutions was necessary due to the cost of feminine sanitary products.

In April 2019, the Executive Committee (EXCOM) approved the recommended increase to the health and hygiene credit for inmates who reside at women’s institutions.

The amount of the credit inmates residing in women’s institutions will receive for the purchase of health and hygiene products has changed.

Inmates residing at women's institutions, including the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge and the Assiniboine Unit at the Regional Psychiatric Centre, will receive a credit of $7 per pay period for the purchase of health and hygiene products listed in Annex B of CD 890. This credit is cumulative; however, it cannot exceed $182 for inmates at women's institutions at any time and may only be used for its intended purpose.

This change will be incorporated into the Health and Hygiene Products section of the policy once the review of the CD has been completed.

All staff involved with inmate owned canteens.