Policy bulletin 666

Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 710-7 – Work Releases

As part of the Correctional Service of Canada’s policy review cycle and following a review of the overall work release program to improve efficiencies, a review of Commissioner’s Directive 710-7 – Work Releases was conducted.

A number of changes have been made, and staff are directed to review the policy in its entirety.

Some of the key revisions are noted below:

• Paragraphs 1, 21 and 22 were amended in order to add a timeframe for the Regional Deputy Commissioner to provide comments on specific cases.
• Paragraph 2 was amended to clarify the Institutional Head’s authority with respect to work releases where the duration is to exceed 60 days.
• Paragraph 3b now includes a requirement to consult with the Manager, Employment and Employability, CORCAN where there is a potential for the work release participation to include certification of apprenticeship hours at the work release location.
• Paragraphs 9 and 33b have been revised to provide clarification when exceptions to work release procedures can be justified.
• Paragraph 20 and 21 were added to ensure that the decision from the Regional Deputy Commissioner to “approve” or “not approve” a work release that exceeds 60 days and the decision from the Institutional Head to “authorize” or “not authorize” all work releases are documented in separate CSC Board Review/Referral Decision Sheets (CSC/SCC 1090).
• Paragraph 38 was amended to provide clarification regarding the sharing of the final decision following the recommendation to cancel or reinstate a work release.
• Timeframes for the decision to “authorize” or “not authorize” the work release were added.
• The list of cross-references was modified as well as other technical changes.
• A new value was added to Annex C – Completion Codes for Work Releases to include the option for the users to select “Bail”.
• All references to the term “Aboriginal” have been replaced with the term “Indigenous” throughout the policy.

The Correctional Operations and Programs Sector, in collaboration with the Strategic Policy Division, developed this policy. Full consultations with internal and external stakeholders, including the Inmate Committees were undertaken.

The changes will affect staff responsible for the administration of work releases and all offenders.

Roles and responsibilities are detailed in the policy documents.