Health and Safety at Stony Mountain Institution

Date: June 9, 2020

Classification: Unclassified

Branch/Agency: CSC

Issue:

Media is reporting on union complaints that Stony Mountain Institution is becoming increasingly dangerous for both staff and inmates.

Proposed Response:

Background:

Media is reporting on union complaints that Stony Mountain Institution is becoming increasingly dangerous for both staff and inmates. These complaints are focused on an underground drug trade facilitated by drones; COVID-19 measures; and gang-related violence.

Stony Mountain Institution – Safety Protocols

The Correctional Service Canada (CSC) takes the death of an inmate very seriously. The loss of life is always a tragedy. Stony Mountain Institution had four inmate deaths in 2019, and five inmate deaths to date in 2020. In all cases of a death in custody, CSC conducts a quality of care review to determine the facts surrounding a death. These reviews have resulted in improvements to our policies and practices in a continuous effort to prevent deaths in our institutions.

CSC manages a complex and diverse inmate population which has a direct impact on the safety and security of institutions. CSC takes a number of measures to ensure that facilities provide a correctional environment that is safe, secure and contributes to offender rehabilitation, and ultimately, public safety. CSC’s correctional professionals operate in an environment where safety and security control measures have been designed to mitigate risks. These include prevention strategies and protocols, training, PPE, infrastructure, engineering and controlled response protocols. For example, CSC considers several factors in our management of offender population to prevent violent incidents, such as security threat group (STG) affiliations, substance misuse problems, and mental health issues. CSC also works closely with criminal justice and law enforcement partners to share and access information that supports the prevention of violence.

Violence is not tolerated in CSC institutions and disciplinary action is taken, and criminal charges can be laid against those involved in violent incidents. CSC examines each incidence of violence to prevent and reduce future occurrences. CSC’s investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incidents at Stony Mountain Institution will assist in determining if practices need improvement to prevent such incidents. While the investigations related to these incidents are still ongoing, it is important to note that the findings and best practices are routinely shared with management to support continuous improvement. Since the investigations into the recent security incidents at Stony Mountain Institution are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to speculate on the reason they took place.

The data regarding the number of inmate assaults to date in 2020 is not readily available.

COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) have focused on critical operations. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, in all of our institutions, CSC has suspended visits to inmates, all temporary absences (unless medically necessary) and work releases for offenders. This is reassessed on an ongoing basis as the situation evolves. Stony Mountain Institution, as with all institutions, has modified its routines to reduce staffing levels.

With different provinces starting to lift restrictions around COVID-19, CSC has established a committee that will make recommendations around how we phase back in programs and activities, the safeguards that need to be in place, and how it will roll out. The timeline around reinstating any activities will vary across the country, based on provincial and local circumstances and public health advice. Adopting a gradual approach to resuming any activities – including decisions around who can enter our institutions – is key to making sure we keep everyone, and their families, as safe as possible

We are in close contact with local public health authorities across the country so we can stay up-to-date on emerging issues and responses. We will continue to work with our partners at Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as engage with unions in taking the necessary steps to ensure everyone's safety.

Security Threat Groups (STGs)

CSC defines STGs as any formal or informal ongoing inmate/offender group, gang, organization or association consisting of three or more members. CSC promotes integration among offenders. However, existing STG rivalries and incompatibility issues may require CSC to utilize strategies that separate certain offenders or STGs in order to maintain the safety and security of institutions and community facilities. Alternatively, in other cases, separation is not always a realistic approach to dealing with STGs, and the integration of STGs and affiliated offenders is applied. As institutions across the country have differing security levels and unique population dynamics, CSC individually assesses each situation and employs interventions at the site level.

Contacts:

Prepared by: Raj Oberoi, Officer, Parliamentary Relations, 613-794-9632

Approved by: Kirstan Gagnon, Assistant Commissioner, Communications and Engagement, 613-995-6867

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