Question Period Note: Escapes from Correctional Service of Canada Institutions

There have been a number of recent escapes from Correctional Service of Canada Institutions.

• Our government takes escapes very seriously and public safety remains the paramount consideration.

• In the event of an escape from a federal penitentiary, the Correctional Service of Canada thoroughly examines the circumstances of the incident and works closely with local police to locate the inmate as quickly as possible.

• Offenders who escape can be criminally charged and their security level will be reassessed.

• The Correctional Service of Canada regularly assesses all offenders’ security classification to ensure that they are placed at the appropriate security level.

There have been a number of recent escapes from Correctional Service of Canada Institutions.

Procedures Following the Capture of an Inmate

Following the capture of an inmate who has escaped or who was unlawfully at large, they will be detained at an institution, at the appropriate security level, in the region of the arrest. The region in which the inmate is recaptured is responsible for determining the appropriate placement and security level. Readmission procedures may differ by region.
Offenders who escape can be criminally charged for that escape, as stated in Section 145 of the
Criminal Code. Additionally, pursuant to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, offenders can be institutionally charged for doing anything for the purpose of escaping or assisting another
offender to escape. In addition to potential disciplinary charges, CSC will consider security
reclassification for the offender, based on information that they were involved in an escape
attempt/escape or assisted another offender to escape/attempt to escape. In 2018-2019, there were a total of 15 escapes recorded. The majority of the escapes are from minimum-security institutions. Most offenders who escape are safely recaptured within an average of three days.
Current Policy Review
Following recent escapes from minimum-security institutions, CSC is revising its policies to improve day-to-day operations in how minimum-security offenders are assessed and managed. These measures will contribute to the prevention of escapes, strengthen how we respond to these incidents and enhance public safety, while supporting our mission of offender rehabilitation.

Security Classification and Security Levels

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is responsible for managing the risk inmates present. Since different inmates require different degrees of control, CSC operates institutions at three levels of security: maximum, medium and minimum. Institutional adjustment, escape risk and public safety ratings are considered in all placement decisions as part of the security classification procedure.

Upon entering the federal correctional system, inmates are assessed and placed in the most appropriate institution and security level that will contribute to their timely preparation for safe reintegration, taking into account the degree and type of custody and control required to ensure the safety of the public, the offender, other persons in the institutions, and the security of the institution. All inmates entering federal custody undergo a full assessment and referral process to identify their program and security needs, which may include medical, psychological, psychiatric, employment and education assessments. Only those offenders who are assessed as having a low risk to public safety are placed in a minimum-security institution.

One of the major factors that CSC takes into account when considering the transfer of inmates to lower-security level facilities is the progress made in addressing the needs identified in their correctional plan, which outlines what they must do to address the factors that led to their criminal behaviour. All transfers of inmates to lower levels of security occur only after CSC has duly considered public safety. An inmate must present a low probability of escape and a low risk to the safety of the public. The inmate must also require a low degree of supervision and control within the institution.

Security Measures

The security measures in place at any institution shall reflect the degree of control required to maintain the good order of the institution and to protect staff, inmates and the public. CSC takes the possibility of escapes by any means, including those by helicopters and other aircraft, extremely seriously. There are a number of operational practices in place to prevent incidents from occurring and to intervene in the unlikely event that such attempts are made. Proper measures were put in place in order to designate and have restricted air spaces applied to areas where federal penitentiaries are found. In addition, CSC regularly reviews the use of innovative security tools that enhance its capacity to limit and prevent escapes. These exact measures and design features in use at any specific facility cannot be disclosed for safety and security reasons.

The inmates who escaped federal institutions across the country represent about 0.1% of the total inmate population. The number of escapes tends to fluctuate from year to year. In recent years, efforts by CSC to promote active security, encourage positive interactions between employees and inmates, enhance risk evaluation quality and ensure effective case management practices may have had a positive impact in reducing the number of escapes.

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