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 Canada
To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding prisoners with mental health needs
Recommendation 58: Amend policy so that only healthcare staff can authorize and manage interventions to address self-harm and suicidality, including suicide smocks, observation cells and and Pinel restraints based on clinical need. Pinel restraints should only be used in psychiatric facilities.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding prisoners with mental health needs
Recommendation 59: As long as Pinel restraints are administered by correctional staff, consider their application a reportable use of force.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding prisoners with mental health needs
Recommendation 60: Involve healthcare leadership in selecting and training officers for all treatment centres and mental health units.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding prisoners with mental health needs
Recommendation 61: Transfer prisoners with acute mental health needs or histories of serious and chronic selfharm to community psychiatric facilities-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding healthcare services
Recommendation 62: Develop policy and training on dual loyalty and the domestic and international ethical obligations of medical professionals working in prisons.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding healthcare services
Recommendation 63: Provide 24-hour nursing care at all maximum and medium security and multi-level institutions. This will ensure medical staff are always available to respond to mental and physical health crises. It also ensures post-use of force medical assessments can happen at any time of day or night.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding healthcare services
Recommendation 64: Provide healthcare independently of CSC through partnerships with provincial health ministries in order to ensure full clinical independence.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding oversight and accountability
Recommendation 65: Ensure video-recording, particularly of spontaneous uses of force, happens in accordance with policy. Adopt the use of body cameras for spontaneous and planned uses of force, including by ERTs.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding oversight and accountability
Recommendation 66: Commission an external evaluation of the effectiveness of the Engagement and Intervention Model. CSC should partner with independent researchers to evaluate the model’s success in resolving incidents peacefully, reducing reliance on force and respecting prisoners’ rights.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding oversight and accountability
Recommendation 67: Report all uses of force involving potentially inappropriate or unjustified force, or force resulting in injury to the prisoner, to police.-
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