NCJ Number
81858
Date Published
1981
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This 1979-1980 annual report presents statistics and information on the activities of Canada's Correctional Investigator (ombudsman).
Abstract
There has been no change during the year in the number and personnel of the staff, although statistics show a substantial increase in the number of complaints received and interviews held. The office of eight full-time staff, including the Correctional Investigator, three inquiries officers, one administrative assistant, and two secretaries. During the past reporting year, the office dealt with 1,427 complaints, compared with 1,170 the previous year, an increase of 21 percent. There was a marked increase in the number of interviews held with inmates, with the number almost doubling this year from 375 to 705. This can be partially explained by more inmate requests to see the office staff during announced visits to institutions. There has been a substantial increase in the number of complaints resolved as well as those for which assistance was provided. During the reporting year, the Correctional Investigator made 18 recommendations to the Correctional Service; 13 were accepted, 4 partially accepted, and 1 rejected. Areas in which recommendations were offered included claims against the Crown, sentencing in disciplinary court, recording of disciplinary hearings, privileged correspondence, allegations of staff wrongdoing, inmate grooming, segregation, dental care, and inmate body searches. Tabular data are provided, and a summary of recommendations to the Correctional Service is appended.