Correctional Devices

The incarceration (confinement) of convicted offenders.

Case preparation for all parole applications submitted

The supervision of all offenders who are granted any type of early release.

Mandatory supervision of all persons released from institutions before the end of their sentence.

All probation services.

Responsibilities

Each of the provinces in Canada has a provincial correctional branch. The range of services provided by these branches generally include:

Providing facilities and personnel to supervise prisoners sentenced to less than 2 years.

Supervising prisoners who are temporarily locked up while awaiting court appearances.

Supervising prisoners who have been sentenced by the court but are awaiting the outcome of an appeal

Supervising provincial offenders who are on probation in the community.

Providing facilities and supervision for offenders convicted under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Provincial Correctional Systems

Offenders sentenced to less than 2 years

Usually non-violent offenders

Provide prisoners with some measure of freedom – no private cells (can visit the communal bathroom in the middle of the night)

Sleep in dormitories – wake at 7:00am – breakfast, cereal, toast, coffee – work 5 hours per day.

Work includes: Mopping floors Laundry Kitchen duties Provincial highway cleanup

Medium Security Institution – Provincial

Bedtime at 9:30pm and lights out at 10:00pm

Inmates are not paid for their work

Relatives can set up an account for inmates (max $40) so they can buy treats from prison canteen

Most medium security institutions have weight rooms, gym, library, and a TV room

Medium Security Institution – Provincial

Visitors are allowed twice a week and can sit with inmates rather than through plexi-glass.

The average length of stay in medium security provincial jails in Ontario is 83 days.

The emphasis is on rehabilitation and resocialization to society.

Medium Security Institution – Provincial

Maximum Security institutions

Intended for the most dangerous offenders who require the greatest physical security.

These institutions have high walls, double fences, security posts with armed guards, electronic devices to detect escapes

Inside there are strong physical barriers such as bars, steel doors, surveillance cameras and the like.

Inmates adhere to very strict routines and schedules

Federal Correctional System

Range from buildings surrounded by a single fence and watched by unarmed guards to penitentiaries surrounded by walls with security posts for armed guards.

Inside there are usually fewer physical barriers and armed guards than in maximum security institutions.

Medium Security Institutions

Farms and Forestry camps that do not have external barriers or locked fences.

Inside there are usually ordinary window and doors with normal locks.

Minimum Security Institutions

Usually used for mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders.

Regional Psychiatric Centers

Penetanguishene Psychiatric Center