Policy bulletin 691

Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 530 – Death of an Inmate: Notifications and Funeral Arrangements

This policy has been revised to add new responsibilities and procedures and to provide direction with regard to communications, funeral arrangements, financial responsibilities and fingerprinting, following the death of an inmate.

Substantive changes were made to the policy. The most significant are:

• Additional responsibilities were added for personnel at the site and the informal title of Family Liaison Officer has been removed.
• Site personnel may still continue to liaise with the emergency contact or next of kin, with the Regional Administrator, Communications and Executive Services, becoming involved and providing oversight, as needed.
• When a phone call is made, it is considered a best practice to coordinate, where possible, with local resources to provide in-person support. Alternatively, where possible and if appropriate, considering all risk factors and following the direction of the Institutional Head/District Director, the designated local person may advise the inmate’s emergency contact or next of kin in person.
• The Funeral Arrangements section was revised to provide more context of the aspects required in coordinating a deceased inmate’s funeral arrangements (e.g., grave markers, etc.).
• Added a new section entitled, Facilitated Disclosure Process. This section defines the Regional Administrator, Communications and Executive Services, responsibility in ensuring effective disclosure as per CSC’s commitment to families and next of kin.
• The newly added Annex B Facility Type and Release Status, identifies the individuals in the community to whom this policy applies (in addition to inmates who are incarcerated).
• Revisions were made to some of the cross references listed in Annex A.

This policy was revised by the Security Operations Division in collaboration with the Offender Programs and Reintegration Branch, the Communications and Engagement Sector, the Incident Investigations Branch, the Access to Information and Privacy Division, the Strategic Policy Division and Legal Services. Formal consultations were held with internal and external stakeholders.

Staff working with inmates in institutions, including Community Correctional Centres.

The Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs, Regional Deputy Commissioners, Regional Administrators, Communications and Executive Services, Institutional Heads and District Directors are responsible for ensuring compliance with this CD. Additional staff responsibilities are included in the directive.