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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Human rights system
To BC Corrections
Regarding video-recording
Recommendation 20: Amend the Adult Custody Policy to require managers to ensure all relevant video footage of a use of force has been preserved within 14 days (so that footage is not deleted).-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding internal use of force reviews
Recommendation 23: Use of force reviews should include a description of the prisoners’ evidence. When a prisoner alleges misconduct and the review determines no wrongdoing, the decisionmaker should include an assessment of the evidence and reasons for preferring one witness’s evidence over another’s.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding internal use of force reviews
Recommendation 24: In the absence of objective evidence, a use of force review should not conclude a use of force was appropriate. In other words, if the prisoner says force was abusive or unjustified and there is no video or other objective evidence, conclude that the appropriateness of the force is undetermined.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding internal use of force reviews
Recommendation 25: Use of force reviews by headquarters should include a narrative assessment of the circumstances leading to the use of force and a description of the force used. There should be a checklist to identify whether key policy requirements were followed (was the prisoner decontaminated, was video preserved, etc.). The review should also acknowledge and respond to any concerns raised by the prisoner or their representative. When the review identifies problems or noncompliance with policy, it should outline corrective measures taken.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding oversight and accountability
Recommendation 26: Track and report publicly on all uses of force against prisoners, broken down by type (physical handling, OC spray, ERT, etc). Disaggregate data by race, gender, disability and centre.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding oversight and accountability
Recommendation 27: Track repeated violations of policy by the same staff person or institution at the headquarters level.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding oversight and accountability
Recommendation 28: In collaboration with the Investigation and Standards Office, approach the BC Government for funding to allow the Investigation and Standards Office to review every use of force in a BC Corrections facility. In the interim, have the Investigation and Standards Office periodically review a random sampling of use of force incidents.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding oversight and accountability
Recommendation 30: 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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To BC Corrections
Regarding post-use of force practices
Recommendation 32: Amend the Adult Custody Policy to require photographing of all visible injuries (whether or not they require medical attention). Clarify who is responsible for photographing a prisoner’s injuries (it must not be staff who were involved in the use of force) and how soon the photographs must be taken.-
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To BC Corrections
Regarding strip searches and spit masks
Recommendation 33: Conduct an audit of strip searches with a view to reducing or eliminating their use and the resulting humiliation and retraumatization of prisoners.-
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