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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Health authorities
To BC Corrections
Regarding prisoners with physical and mental health disabilities
Recommendation 11: Develop an alternative model for recognizing and responding to prisoners with mental health disabilities in crisis, in partnership with the Provincial Health Services Authority (including the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital) and people with lived experience. This includes prisoners in emotional distress (such as prisoners who are self-harming) as well as prisoners who are experiencing behavioural emergencies connected with their disabilities. These responses should be supportive and trauma-informed rather than punitive.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding prisoners with physical and mental health disabilities
Recommendation 12: In partnership with the Provincial Health Services Authority, develop an alternative model for recognizing and responding to medical emergencies.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding prisoners with physical and mental health disabilities
Recommendation 13: Identify an expert who can play a role similar to the Force Options Coordinator in reviewing uses of force against prisoners with mental health disabilities to identify problems and solutions.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding prisoners with physical and mental health disabilities
Recommendation 14: Transfer authority for interventions to address self-harm and suicidality, including restraints, observation cells and suicide smocks, to the Provincial Health Services Authority. Eliminate the use of the BOARD and WRAP, except where authorized by the Provincial Health Services Authority for medical purposes.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding prisoners with physical and mental health disabilities
Recommendation 15: Select officers who excel at conflict resolution and empathy to work as Mental Health Liaison Officers and on therapeutic units, and involve the Provincial Health Services Authority in their training.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding internal use of force reviews
Recommendation 21: Use of force reviews should identify the number of previous uses of force against the same prisoner. For prisoners who are repeatedly subject to force, develop a plan to reduce uses of force, in conjunction with the Provincial Health Services Authority for prisoners with disabilities. If force is not reduced, conduct an operational review.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding internal use of force reviews
Recommendation 22: Prisoners who are repeatedly subject to force should have all subsequent uses of force automatically reviewed by the Force Options Coordinator and, if appropriate, by the mental health expert mentioned in recommendation 13.-
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To the Provincial Health Services Authority
Recommendation 36: 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 the Provincial Health Services Authority
Recommendation 37: Immediately develop policy, guidelines and reporting forms to provide for post-use of force medical assessments of every prisoner subject to force. Ensure assessments involve thorough physical examinations in a private setting and that nurses document all reported and observed injuries. Train all staff in the new policy.-
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To the Provincial Health Services Authority
Recommendation 38: Ensure that post-use of force medical assessments are used solely to support the wellbeing of the patient and to document signs of ill-treatment. Any signs of ill-treatment must be reported to the Warden, BC Corrections Provincial Director, Provincial Health Services Authority Director of Correctional Health Services and the Investigation and Standards Office.-
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