pdf version

2000-2001
Estimates

A Report on Plans and Priorities

Approved

___________________________
Solicitor General of Canada

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section I: Message

A. Correctional Investigator’s Message
B. Management Representation Statement

Section II: Departmental Overview

A. Mandate, Roles and Responsibilities
B. Objective
C. Operating Environment
D. Agency Planned Spending

Section III: Plans, Results and Resources

A. Objective
B. Business Line Description
C. Key Results Commitments, Planned Results, Related Activities and Resources

Section IV: Financial Information

Table 4.1: Net cost of Program for the Estimates Year

Section V: Other Information

Table 5.1: Statutes and Regulations
Table 5.2: Reports
Table 5.3: References

Section I: Message

A. Correctional Investigator’s Message

I am mandated as an Ombudsman for federal corrections. The Office carries out this function within an environment that has traditionally been closed to public scrutiny with a high level of mistrust between correctional officials and inmates.

I am firmly committed to the Ombudsman concept and believe that the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act provide for a process through which the vast majority of individual and systemic concerns can be reasonably addressed. It is important for all parties to appreciate that the Correctional Investigator is neither an agent of the Correctional Service of Canada nor the advocate of every complainant or interest group that lodges a complaint. I am mandated to investigate complaints from an independent and neutral position and in cases where there is evidence of unfairness, make appropriate recommendations concerning corrective action.

Over the past year, the Office has vigorously pursued an agenda of operational improvement in order to optimize its efficiency in carrying out its primary mandate. A significant milestone in this process was reached on 18 October 1999 when I formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Correctional Service of Canada. The intent of this agreement is to assist both agencies in addressing areas of offender concern in an objective, thorough and timely fashion.

I look forward to the challenges of the coming years and a continued open and cooperative working relationship with our partners in the corrections field so as to ensure that offender complaints are dealt with in an environment of openness, accountability and fairness. Canadian society is indeed better served and protected when everyone involved in Corrections strives steadfastly towards the fair, humane and equitable treatment of offenders.

B. Management Representation Statement

MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATION
Report on Plans and Priorities 2000-2001

I submit, for tabling in Parliament, the 2000-2001 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) for the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI).

To the best of my knowledge, the information:

• Accurately portrays the department’s mandate, plans, priorities, strategies and expected key results of the organisation.
• Is consistent with the disclosure principles contained in the Guidelines for Preparing a Report on Plans and Priorities.
• Is comprehensive and accurate.
• Is based on sound underlying departmental information and management systems.

I am satisfied as to the quality assurance processes and procedures used for the RPP’s production.

The Planning and Reporting Accountability Structure (PRAS) on which this document is based has been approved by Treasury Board Ministers and is the basis for accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities provided.

Name:
Date:

Section II: Departmental Overview

A. Mandate, Roles and Responsibilities

The Office of the Correctional Investigator was established in 1973 pursuant to Part II of the Inquiries Act. With the proclamation in November 1992 of Part III of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, this is now the enabling legislation. The mandate of the Correctional Investigator, as defined by this legislation, is to function as an Ombudsman for federal offenders. The Correctional Investigator is independent of the Correctional Service of Canada and may initiate an investigation on receipt of a complaint by or on behalf of an offender, at the request of the Minister or on his own initiative. The Correctional Investigator is required by legislation to report annually through the Solicitor General to both Houses of Parliament.

In addition, Section 19 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act requires that the Correctional Service of Canada "where an inmate dies or suffers serious bodily injury" conduct an investigation and provide a copy of the report to the Correctional Investigator.

The Office of the Correctional Investigator is headed by the Correctional Investigator who reports to Parliament through the Solicitor General. The Agency’s resources has provided for 17 full-time equivalents, 10 of which make up the investigative staff. The total resources are $1,763,000 for the fiscal year 2000-2001.

B. Objective

To act as an Ombudsman on behalf of offenders by thoroughly and objectively reviewing a wide spectrum of administrative actions and presenting findings and recommendations to an equally broad spectrum of decision makers, inclusive of Parliament.

C. Operating Environment

The maintaining of an independent and objective review process within a correctional environment where the Office has virtually no control over either the number of complaints or the extent of investigations required presents a number of unique challenges. First, the resolution of disputes in an environment traditionally closed to public scrutiny with an understandably high level of mistrust between correctional officials and inmates, requires that the Office not only be, but be seen to be independent of both the Correctional Service and the Ministry. Second, given that the authority of the Office rests with its power of persuasion and public reporting, rather than enforceable recommendations, it is imperative that appropriate administrative and political mechanisms be available to ensure that reasonable, fair and timely action is taken on the Office’s findings.

D. Agency Planned Spending

* Reflects best forecast of total planned spending to the end of the fiscal year

Section III: Plans, Results and Resources

A. Objective

To act as an Ombudsman on behalf of offenders by thoroughly and objectively reviewing a wide spectrum of administrative actions and presenting findings and recommendations to an equally broad spectrum of decision makers, inclusive of Parliament.

B. Business Line Description

The Office of the Correctional Investigator has one Business Line which, as detailed in Section 167 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, is to conduct investigations into the problems of offenders related to decisions, recommendations and or omissions of the Commissioner of Corrections or any person under the control and management of, or performing service for or on behalf of the Commissioner of Corrections that affect offenders either individually or as a group.

C. Key Results Commitments, Planned Results, Related Activities and Resources

Section IV: Financial Information

Section V: Other Information

Table 5.1: Statutes and Regulations

Corrections and Conditional Release Act, Part III

Table 5.2: Reports

• Correctional Investigator’s Annual Report 1998-1999
  (http://www.oci-bec.gc.ca)
• Auditor General’s Report, Chapter 33, December 1997
  (http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca)
• Auditor General’s Report, Chapter 32, November 1999
  (http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca)

Table 5.3: References

*************