In June 2019, “Damage/Control: Use of force and the cycle of violence and trauma in BC’s federal and provincial prisons” was published by the West Coast Prison Justice Society/Prisoners’ Legal Services. The report analyzes law and policy governing the use of force by correctional officers in light of interviews with over 100 federal and provincial prisoners. The report finds that both CSC and BC Corrections officers use force in response to prisoners in emotional distress and as a tool to coerce compliance, even when there is no immediate risk to safety. It argues that relying on physical force in these circumstances creates an adversarial environment that compromises safety and wellbeing for both prisoners and staff.
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Government of British Columbia
To BC Corrections
Regarding the Adult Custody Policy
Recommendation 1: Prioritize trauma-informed practice, de-escalation and peaceful resolution throughout the use of force policy and related policies.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding the Adult Custody Policy
Recommendation 2: Authorize force only when necessary to prevent imminent harm to a person. Prohibit use of force to address noncompliance or disobedience.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding the Adult Custody Policy
Recommendation 3: Require officers to weigh the risk of not intervening with force against the risk of harm (including psychological harm) resulting from a use of force and to ensure interventions are proportionate in light of this assessment.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding the Adult Custody Policy
Recommendation 4: Restrict the use of force in response to selfharm to circumstances where there is an imminent risk of grievous bodily harm.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding the Adult Custody Policy
Recommendation 5: Consider the removal, display, or threatened use of spray irritants, and threats to bring the ERT, reportable uses of force.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding emergency response teams
Recommendation 6: Limit the role of the ERT/CEE teams to emergencies involving imminent threats of serious physical harm, such as hostage takings or riots. Ensure decisions to deploy the ERT consider the potential traumatic impact of the team on the prisoner and weigh the potential for psychological harm against the potential benefit of using this high level of force. Amend the Adult Custody Policy to reflect this.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding emergency response teams
Recommendation 7: Equip all ERT/CEE teams with helmet cameras.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding training
Recommendation 8: Expand training on conflict resolution, de-escalation skills, nonviolent crisis intervention and working with people with mental health disabilities. This should be designed in conjunction with mental health experts and people with lived experience.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding training
Recommendation 9: Require advanced training in working with people with mental health disabilities for all Mental Health Liaison Officers as well as staff working on mental health and no-violence units, in segregation, and as members of ERTs as a prerequisite for performing these roles. Require regular refresher courses.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding prisoners with physical and mental health disabilities
Recommendation 10: Create specialized officer-nurse teams to respond to situations involving emotional or medical distress using joint decision-making. This could follow models in the community that pair specially trained police with psychiatric nurses to respond to emergencies involving people with mental health issues.-
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