Policy Bulletin 717

What has changed

The title of the policy has been changed to “Inmate‑Operated Businesses” from “Inmate‑Operated Business Enterprises”.

The policy has been revised to better define the operations and approval of Inmate-Operated Businesses.

A definition for Inmate-Operated Business has been added to better clarify its intent, which specifies that the operation of a business applies to the institution at which the inmate is located. The definition for income has also been added to the policy.

For Indigenous inmates, references have been added that require Indigenous social history factors to be taken into consideration when approving a business, pursuant to section 79.1 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

Inmates who own a business in the community are required to assign an individual or company to operate it on their behalf during their incarceration.

Policy direction has been added that requires inmates to purchase supplies necessary for the operation of their business. 

A requirement for inmates to obtain business insurance, if deemed necessary by the Institutional Head, has been added to the policy.

Procedures for the termination of an inmate‑operated business have been revised to enable the Institutional Head to suspend or withdraw the approval to operate a business in situations where the inmate or their business pose a security threat to the institution or any person.

New direction has been included regarding the types of products being produced by an inmate‑operated business as an element for the Institutional Head to take into consideration when analyzing the impact of an inmate‑operated business on the security of an institution.

How was it developed?

Modifications to this policy were made in collaboration with the Strategic Policy Division following consultation with internal and external stakeholders.

Who will be affected by the policy?

Inmates and staff involved in an inmate‑operated business are affected by this policy.

Contact:

Strategic Policy Division

Policy-Politiques.GEN-NHQ@csc-scc.gc.ca

Commissioner,
Anne Kelly