COMMISSIONER'S DIRECTIVE

PREVENTION OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

Policy Bulletin 144

POLICY OBJECTIVES

1. To ensure the safety of staff, inmates, offenders and the public.

2. To create a respectful environment that promotes dynamic interaction between staff, inmates and offenders.

3. To create an environment that encourages inmates and offenders to actively participate in programs and is conducive to their reintegration.

4. To ensure that the importance of effective leadership and learning (training and development) are reflected in security policies and practices.

AUTHORITIES

5. CCRA ss. 2, 3, 17, 38-75;
CCRR ss. 2-4, 34-70, 72, 94-95.

PRINCIPLES

6. All policies shall be carried out so as to promote a safe and secure environment while respecting the rule of law.

7. All procedures shall be followed completely and in a manner designed to promote safety through fairness, consistency and respect.

8. All communications within the operational unit shall be effective, clear, timely and be based upon respect and professionalism.

9. Measures to prevent security incidents shall take into account the security classification of the institution and the individual inmate.

10. All policies shall respect gender, ethnic and cultural differences and be responsive to the special needs of women and aboriginal peoples, as well as to the needs of other groups of offenders with special requirements.

11. All security procedures and practices shall be carried out using the least restrictive measures consistent with the protection of the public, staff members and offenders.

12. All security procedures and practices completed in support of this directive shall be respectful to both the dignity and privacy of the individual.

PREVENTION OF SECURITY INCIDENTS FRAMEWORK

13. The prevention of security incidents shall be accomplished through a framework which includes but is not limited to the following components:

1. control of entry to and exit from institutions to ensure access to authorized persons and items only (CD 566-1);
2. control of vehicles entering/exiting institutions to monitor goods and individuals coming in and out of the institution (CD 566-2);
3. inmate movement control to ensure the whereabouts of every inmate during waking hours (CD 566-3);
4. inmate counts to monitor the whereabouts and well-being of inmates and offenders at all times (CD 566-4);
5. non-security escorts to assist in the reintegration of the inmate (CD 566-5);
6. security escorts to ensure the safety of staff and the public (CD 566-6);
7. searching of inmates to prevent the possession of contraband and unauthorized items (CD 566-7);
8. searching of staff and visitors to prevent entry of contraband into the institution (CD 566-8);
9. searching of cells, vehicles, and other areas of the institution to deter the possession and exchange of contraband (CD 566-9);
10. urinalysis testing in institutions to detect the presence of intoxicants (CD 566-10); and
11. urinalysis testing in the community to ensure compliance with release conditions (CD 566-11).

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

14. The Commissioner or delegate has the authority to provide both verbal and written direction with regards to safety and security within the Service.

15. The Assistant Commissioner, Correctional Operations and Programs shall ensure that:

1. policies in support of this directive are clear, relevant, timely and accurate and are developed with the input of correctional staff;
2. policies promote a safe and secure correctional environment; and
3. policies are applied in a consistent manner nationally.

16. The Commissioner has designated the Director General, Security to be the senior Correctional Service Canada authority on safety and security issues within the Service and on offender-related issues in the community.

17. The Director General, Security shall ensure that:

1. security procedures are conducted within the scope of the law and policies of CSC;
2. verbal and written direction in relation to safety and security issues is provided to regions as required;
3. policies are effectively communicated to regions;
4. support to regions and operational units is provided effectively; and
5. any issues arising from policies, procedures or their implementation will be reviewed and addressed in a timely manner.

18. The Regional Deputy Commissioners shall ensure that:

1. policies are effectively communicated to operational units;
2. support to operational units is effectively provided;
3. any issues arising from policies, their procedures or implementation are reported in a timely manner to the Director General, Security, National Headquarters; and
4. operational review of policies are conducted on a regular basis.

19. The Institutional Head and District Director shall be responsible for:

1. implementing policies;
2. ensuring consistent application of all procedures;
3. managing challenges as they arise in such a way as to promote a safe and secure correctional environment;
4. ensuring that all staff involved in measures to ensure the safety of the operational unit are properly trained; and
5. ensuring a process for monitoring the effective implementation of these policies is in place.

20. Staff shall ensure that:

1. they know and understand the applicable law, policies and procedures;
2. they demonstrate vigilance in the performance of their duties;
3. they communicate immediately, or as soon as is practicable, any situation which, in their opinion, could potentially lead to conditions that could jeopardize the safety of the operational unit or anyone in it;
4. they interact positively with other staff and offenders; and
5. they resolve conflicts and problems at the lowest possible level.

Original signed by
Lucie McClung

Table of Contents