COMMISSIONER'S DIRECTIVE

IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND ADMISSION INTERVIEWS

Policy Bulletin 202

Annex A - Content Guidelines - Immediate Needs

Annex B - Content Guidelines for Casework Record on Admission Interview

OBJECTIVE

1. To ensure public safety by identifying offenders' immediate needs at arrival and providing standards for the admission interview for all sites of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).

2. This CD is to be read in conjunction with CD 705 Intake Assessment Process.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3. The Institutional Head will ensure that the immediate needs interview is conducted on each offender as soon as possible upon admission, and prior to placement in open population.

4. The institutional Parole Officer/Primary Worker must interview the offender on the first working day, after the offender's arrival to complete the admissions interview.

5. The Institutional Head will ensure that for offenders who self-identify as Aboriginal, an Elder or Aboriginal Liaison Officer will be invited to be present during the interview/assessment process, with the offender's consent, to assist with the process, where operationally possible.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS INTERVIEW

6. The person completing the admission interview will:

1. gather information required for cell/room assignment (i.e. incompatibles, co-convicted, serious harm, gang membership and race and cultural considerations);
2. complete the following Immediate Needs Checklists (Annex A) and review to confirm information acquired through the Preliminary Assessment:
   1. Medical,
   2. Mental Health,
   3. Security, and
   4. Suicide Risk;
3. enter critical information as "alerts" "flags" or "needs" in the Offender Management System (OMS) as required.

7. Staff completing admission interviews will document the interview in an OMS Casework Record (Annex B).

8. Facilitate a telephone call between the newly admitted inmate and his or her lawyer or an individual identified on his or her authorized call list to inform them of the admission to a penitentiary. If the offender is incapable of making the communication him/herself and requests that notification be made, the information will be communicated to the designated person by institutional authorities. Where the offender is capable of doing so, the request will be submitted in writing. Record this contact in a Casework Record.

ADMISSION INTERVIEW

9. The Parole Officer/Primary Worker will conduct the Admission Interview and complete the following:

1. confirm language requirements and need for an interpreter;
2. inform offender of the role of each member of the Case Management Team;
3. supplement and verify information already gathered and identify areas of need that require immediate attention;
4. make any necessary referrals to appropriate specialists (e.g. mental health assessments);
5. provide an initial brief orientation to institutional operating procedures. Explain behavioural expectations, institutional rules, how offenders may access Elders and Chaplains, etc.;
6. explain the expectations of the case management team with respect to changes;
7. inform offender of their approximate eligibility dates for day and full parole and the timeframes for submitting the applications;
8. discuss private family visit eligibility;
9. share the Preliminary Assessment report, if available, with the offender;
10. ensure that the name and FPS of any co-convicted offenders are entered into the "Offender Contacts" screen of OMS.

Commissioner,

Original signed by
Keith Coulter

ANNEX A
Content Guidelines Immediate Needs

Medical

As much as possible, a value must be entered for each indicator (yes-no-unknown)

Is taking medication

Has allergies

Has health concerns which require immediate attention

Has other special needs

Has an upcoming medical appointment

Comment (for any checked indicator, explain)

Mental Health

As much as possible, a value must be entered for each indicator (yes-no-unknown)

Appears mentally disordered

Reports having emotional or mental health problems

Has history of treatment for emotional or mental health problems

Has emotional or mental health problems requiring immediate attention

Requires immediate medication for mental health problems

Requires immediate special cell placement for observation and mental health interventions

Comment (for any checked indicator, explain)

Security

As much as possible a value must be entered for each indicator (yes-no-unknown)

May be affiliated with organized crime/gang

Concerns exist regarding incompatibles

Current offence(s) involves explosives

Has a history of arson/fire setting

Case has attracted extensive media attention

May be subject to deportation

Has outstanding charges

May be security literate

Current offence(s) involves use of computer technology

Protected or confidential information exists

Previous institutional adjustment concerns exist

May be gas reactant or unaffected by gas

Physical disability may preclude the use of certain types of force

Comment (for any checked indicator, explain)

Suicide Risk

As much as possible a value must be entered for each indicator (yes-no-unknown)

May be suicidal/has suicidal thoughts

Has plan for suicide

Has previous suicide attempt(s) in the last 5 years

Has had recent psychiatric/psychological intervention/hospitalisation

Recent loss of relationship, death of a close relative/friend

Excessively worried about problems

Influence of alcohol or drugs, signs of withdrawal

Shows signs of depression/hopelessness

Comment (for any checked indicator, explain)

ANNEX B
Content Guidelines for Casework Record on Admission Interview

Confirm review of all immediate needs — medical, mental health, security, suicide — and update of immediate needs screen where required.

Whether referrals were made to address immediate needs and to whom.

Whether a flag/need/alert was entered (where required).

Cell Assignment Information.

An indication that an initial orientation to institutional operating procedures was discussed: (Yes or No) If no, indicate reason.

An indication that a telephone call was offered to the offender, including the date and time of the call (or refusal by offender).

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