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ARCHIVED - The Correctional Investigator Canada - Report
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SECTION II: ANALYSIS OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES BY STRATEGIC OUTCOME
Strategic Outcome
The problems of offenders in the federal correctional system are identified and resolved in a timely fashion.
| 2009-10 Financial Resources ($ thousands) |
2009-10 Human Resources (FTEs) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
| $2,696 | $3,373 | $3,306 | 21 | 25 | 4 |
| Expected Results |
Performance Indicators |
Targets | Performance Status |
Performance Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To provide accessible and timely Ombudsman services to federal offenders. |
Ratio of completed institutional visits by security level; |
90% meet standard |
Successfully Met |
The organization was successful in this regard due primarily to having a full investigative complement in the second half of the fiscal year which resulted in additional visits to institutions and additional offender interviews. |
|
Average response time to offender problems. |
85% meet standard |
Partially Met |
The Office of the Correctional Investigator was less successful in this regard with an average response time of 74%. This is reflective of the shift towards more systemic investigations as well as adjustments being made to the data capture requirements relating to the closing of inmate files. |
| 2009-10 Financial Resources ($ thousands) |
2009-10 Human Resources (FTEs) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
| $480 | $706 | $696 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Expected Results |
Performance Indicators |
Targets | Performance Status |
Performance Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
*Due to the limited number of FTEs involved in the delivery of internal services, the Office of the Correctional Investigator has not established performance indicators, targets or expected results for the Internal Services activity. The organization has several memoranda of understanding in place with departmental services providers who provide basic corporate services to the organization, i.e., financial services, pay and compensation, contracting, staffing and other HR services.
Benefits for Canadians
All activities performed by the organization’s staff, including: institutional visits, responding to offender concerns, follow-up and analysis of systemic issues, Section 19 and use of force analysis and investigations as well as specialized investigations for Women and Aboriginal issues, are performed within one of two program activities linked to the strategic outcome – Ombudsman to federal offenders. The other activity is Internal Services. The achievement of the Office of the Correctional Investigator’s mandate benefits Canadians in contributing towards public safety, confidence, accountability and the promotion of human rights by providing independent and timely review of offender complaints.
Performance Analysis
The Office of the Correctional Investigator’s primary activities were conducted appropriately. Investigative staff carried out professional, timely (when possible) and responsive analysis of offender complaints and investigations throughout the reporting period. The number and frequency of institutional visits and offender interviews across the country was up in comparison to the previous year. This increased presence within the institutions resulted in the continuing demand for the Office’s services and a greater awareness of what can be done in defence of offender rights.
Lessons Learned
Access, timeliness and quality of investigations are core elements of the Ombudsman function. To ensure these elements were adhered to, the Office of the Correctional Investigator embarked on a strategic planning and training exercise which will culminate with the update of its Investigative Policies and Procedures Manual and a clearer understanding of expectations with regards to the investigative process. From this review, a more streamlined organizational structure will also allow a better allocation of resources to address priority areas and systemic concerns. The Manager of Investigations role was defined and supported. This new structure is founded on five investigative priorities: conditions of confinement; access to physical and mental health services; deaths in custody; Aboriginal issues; and access to programs. The delivery mechanisms envisioned include the establishment of an investigative team mandated to tackle these priorities at a national level and the assessment of these key areas during institutional visits. Finally, expertise will continue to be sought from private and academic sectors.