COMMISSIONER'S DIRECTIVE

INMATE MOVEMENT

Policy Bulletin 223

[ Policy Objective  |  Authority  |  Definition  |  Institutional Head's Responsibility  |  Pass System  |  Work-Related Movement  |  Inmate Movement During Leisure Hours  |  Inmate Movement for Religious and Cultural Events or Ceremonies  |  Health Care Clinics and Distribution of Medication  |  Medical Emergency Situations  ]

POLICY OBJECTIVE

1. To ensure safety and security by controlling inmate movement and monitoring the whereabouts of every inmate. (This does not apply to Community Correctional Centres.)

AUTHORITY

2. Commissioner's Directive 566 - Prevention of Security Incidents.

DEFINITION

3. Medical emergency: an injury or condition that poses an immediate threat to a person's health or life which requires medical intervention.

INSTITUTIONAL HEAD'S RESPONSIBILITY

4. The Institutional Head shall establish Standing Orders for controlling inmate movement.

5. Taking into consideration the security level of the institution and the inmates' needs in terms of structure and control, Standing Orders shall identify the following:

1. times when movement is permitted;
2. the maximum number of inmates permitted to move at one time;
3. reasons for inmate movement;
4. methods of initiating inmate movement; and
5. out-of-bounds areas during movement.

PASS SYSTEM

6. The Institutional Head shall ensure that a pass system controlling inmate movement during and after normal working hours is used. Depending on the site, the system shall consist of one or more of the following methods:

1. paper record;
2. telephone clearance;
3. pick-up or check-off list; or
4. escorted movement.

7. The following shall be included in the development of a pass system:

1. the areas of the institution where passes or escorts are required;
2. what times passes are required;
3. why passes are issued to an inmate;
4. staff who can authorize inmate passes;
5. a system for inspecting passes to prevent breaches of security and abuses of the pass system; and
6. a statement on the responsibilities of all staff for enforcing the pass system.

8. Taking into account the security level of the institution, the procedures for the pass system shall identify:

1. the information required for inmate passes;
2. the responsibilities of the initiating and receiving officers;
3. how to preschedule visitors wishing to see an inmate;
4. the recording system;
5. how to terminate or cancel a pass;
6. the action to be taken when unauthorized movement occurs;
7. the procedures to be followed during non-scheduled call-outs;
8. how to authorize movement within the institution for temporary absences, conditional release, escorts and transfers;
9. how to dispose of used paper passes; and
10. what special passes are issued, including their use and the review process required for these passes.

WORK-RELATED MOVEMENT

9. The procedures for work-related inmate movement shall consider:

1. the times when inmate movement to and from their workplaces shall be allowed;
2. the responsibilities of staff;
3. how inmates shall be released for movement to and from their workplaces, including restriction of the number of inmates that may move at one time (where applicable);
4. the security control points used for monitoring inmate movement to and from their workplaces;
5. regulations for movement between work departments;
6. special requirements for movement of inmates to and from the kitchen;
7. requirements for the movement of inmates working on split shifts;
8. requirements for the movement of inmates who work on maintenance crews or as departmental messengers;
9. procedures for inclement weather or emergencies;
10. how to deal with inmates who fail to report to workplace; and
11. how to report unauthorized absences from the workplace during work hours.

10. The procedures for inmates who work outside the perimeter shall include:

1. identifying out-of-bounds areas;
2. what to do when inmates move in or out of the institution;
3. the maximum number of inmates allowed outside the perimeter at one time;
4. identifying the inmates;
5. escort requirements;
6. the responsibility of specific officer(s) for searching the inmates in accordance with Commissioner's Directive 566 7 on Searching of Inmates; and
7. procedures for emergencies.

INMATE MOVEMENT DURING LEISURE HOURS

11. The procedures for inmate movement during weekends, holidays and leisure hours, shall include the following:

1. the times when inmate movement is permitted;
2. the maximum number of inmates to be moved at one time;
3. the areas of the institution where inmate movement shall be permitted;
4. identifying out-of-bounds areas;
5. identifying the positions and responsibilities of supervising officers;
6. identifying the security control points for monitoring inmate movement;
7. release procedures;
8. procedures for interviews required during leisure hours;
9. restrictions on inmate movement during inclement weather; and
10. procedures for emergencies.

INMATE MOVEMENT FOR RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL EVENTS OR CEREMONIES

12. The Institutional Head shall ensure that all movement procedures allow inmates to participate in approved religious and cultural events, taking into consideration institutional security requirements, both during work and leisure hours.

HEALTH CARE CLINICS AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICATION

13. The Institutional Head shall establish specific times for inmate health care clinics and for distribution of medication to inmates. The Institutional Head shall also ensure that these activities take place in a secure environment.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

14. In cases requiring emergency first aid treatment, the inmate should be escorted to the Health Care Centre by a staff member, where possible, and a Correctional Officer should normally be present during the first aid treatment.

15. If an inmate cannot be moved, due to injuries, trained staff will render emergency first aid at the site of the inmate's injury.

16. In responding to a medical emergency, the primary goal is the preservation of life and each staff member has an important role to play:

1. non-health services staff arriving on the scene of a possible medical emergency must immediately call for assistance, secure the area and initiate CPR/first aid without delay;
2. responding non-health services staff must attempt CPR/first aid where physically feasible even in cases where signs of life are not apparent (the decision to discontinue CPR/first aid can be taken only by authorized health personnel or the ambulance service in accordance with provincial laws);
3. initiation of CPR by non-health services staff is not required in the following situations:
   • decapitation (i.e. the complete severing of the head from the remainder of the body),
   • decomposition,
   • the non-health services staff are aware of a DO NOT RESUSCITATE (DNR) order (responding non-health services staff shall verify if a DNR order exists as per the CSC Palliative Care Guidelines),
   • CPR is not to be initiated in cases where the inmate is believed to be dying from natural causes and has a known valid DNR order posted,
   • the existence of a DNR order does not preclude the use of other forms of treatment or care (i.e. treatment for a non-life threatening injury);
4. non-health services staff must use approved protective equipment when administering CPR/first aid;
5. once initiated, non-health services staff will continue to perform CPR until relieved by Health Services staff or the ambulance service;
6. as soon as a possible medical emergency is identified, the Correctional Supervisor or officer-in-charge must notify Health Services and the ambulance service in accordance with the Institutional Contingency Plan, Standing Orders or Post Orders;
7. the Correctional Supervisor or officer-in-charge must immediately establish appropriate security for responding staff and the ambulance service;
8. once on the scene, Health Services or the ambulance service shall be responsible for determining the medical response to the situation;
9. correctional staff on the scene will continue to provide assistance as directed by Health Services or the ambulance service;
10. the Institutional Head shall ensure all staff have ready access to necessary protective and first aid equipment in all work locations;
11. all correctional officers shall be issued approved protective masks and gloves that must be carried on their person;
12. the Institutional Head shall ensure that debriefings occur immediately following a medical emergency (to inform CSC managers of the details related to the medical emergency) and offer critical incident stress management services to all staff involved in the incident as set out in the Guidelines on Critical Incident Stress Management; and
13. immediately following a medical emergency:
    • responding non-health services staff shall complete form CSC/SCC 1323 02 - Response to Incidents Involving a Medical Emergency - Staff Checklist ,
    • responding nurses shall complete form CSC/SCC 1323-03 - Response to Incidents Involving a Medical Emergency - Nurse Checklist, and
    • the Correctional Supervisor shall complete form CSC/SCC 1323-01 - Response to Incidents Involving a Medical Emergency - Correctional Supervisor / Officer-In-Charge Checklist.

17. The Institutional Head must ensure there are quarterly on-site simulations of medical emergencies that will allow staff to practice and remain current in skills. The scenarios used for the medical emergency exercises shall be developed in consideration of the particular institution's circumstances relating to the availability of medical resources within the community and will emphasize the specific needs of the midnight shift.

Commissioner,

Original signed by
Keith Coulter

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