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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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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To the Provincial Health Services Authority
Recommendation 42: The healthcare professional should complete a written report that includes the prisoner’s account of the incident and their assessment of any physical injuries and/or psychological impact. This report should be included in the use of force review if the prisoner consents, and a copy should be provided to the prisoner.-
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To the Provincial Health Services Authority
Recommendation 43: Conduct an audit of post-use of force medical assessments and clinicians’ compliance with their ethical obligations.-
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To the BC Government
Recommendation 44: Amend s. 12(1) of the Correction Act to remove the authorization of force “to prevent property damage” and “to maintain custody and control of an inmate.”-
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To the BC Government
Recommendation 45: Provide the Investigation and Standards Office with the mandate and with increased funding to review and publicly report on all uses of force in BC Corrections facilities.-
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To the BC Government
Recommendation 46: Expand the mandate of, and allocate funding to, the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital to house prisoners with serious mental health disabilities who are under the jurisdiction of BC Corrections on a long-term basis.-
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To the Investigation and Standards Office
Recommendation 47: In collaboration with BC Corrections, approach the BC Government for funding to review every use of force in a BC Corrections facility. In the interim, periodically review a random sampling of use of force incidents. Reviews should include interviews with the prisoner involved.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding internal use of force reviews
Recommendation 70: Allow prisoners to have uses of force against them reviewed at the national level upon request and without having to go through the grievance process.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding internal use of force reviews
Recommendation 71: When an officer fails to follow policy on use of force, review subsequent uses of force by that officer at the regional or national level.-
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