CD 710-8: Private Family Visits

Responsibilities

• Institutional Head: Implements Standing Order for private family visits, ensuring safety and security. May delegate approval authority to Correctional Manager. Develops and implements review/decision-making processes for visit requests. Can authorize inmate time in the unit when not used for family visits. Reports suspected criminal activity to police.

• Assistant Warden, Operations: Ensures family violence prevention info is available to visitors. Advises inmates and visitors of rules, regulations, expectations, and responsibilities. Conducts follow-up with inmates and visitors after visits. Provides access to victim services and Restorative Opportunities Program information to visitors.

• Correctional Manager: Reviews private family visit applications and provides recommendations to the decision-maker.

• Correctional Officer II/Primary Worker: Processes inmate requests for private family visits within timeframes. Conducts Threat Risk Assessments (CSC/SCC 1529 or 1527), consulting with Correctional Manager and considering family violence history and visitor statements (CSC/SCC 0531). Determines if a Community Assessment (CD 715-3) is needed. Interviews visitors if concerns arise (or delegates to Visit & Correspondence Officer). Conducts follow-up interviews with inmate and (if needed) visitors after the visit.

• Visit and Correspondence Officer: Interviews visitors/family, as requested by Correctional Officer II/Primary Worker, before visitors leave the institution.

• All Staff: Immediately report any suspected abuse or criminal activity during private family visits to the Correctional Manager.

Eligibility

• Inmates: Eligible for private family visits unless at risk for family violence, participating in unescorted temporary absences, in a Special Handling Unit, or recommended for transfer. Not eligible for visits with other inmates.

• Visitors: Immediate family members (spouse, children, parents, grandparents etc.) and individuals with close personal relationships are eligible. Proof of common-law relationship is the inmate/visitor's responsibility. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Mother-Child Program

• Visit applications for mother-child visits are managed according to the Mother-Child Program (CD 768) rather than the general private family visit application process.

Approval Process

• Correctional Officer II/Primary Worker: Completes required forms (Application, Statement of Voluntary Participation, Declaration of Common-Law Union (if applicable), Visiting Application, Child Safety Waiver (if applicable)). Interviews visitors with concerns (documented within 5 working days). Consults with Correctional Manager and Parole Officer; requests Community Assessments if necessary. Completes Threat Risk Assessments (within 30 days, 60 days with assessments).

• Correctional Manager: Reviews applications, provides a detailed recommendation to the decision-maker. Records recommendations and decisions on the CSC Board Review Sheet and shares with the inmate.

• Transfers/Security Changes: Previous approval decisions are reviewed when there are inmate transfers/security classification changes. New assessments aren't required unless significant changes have occurred.

Duration and Frequency

• Private family visits are normally up to 72 hours every 2 months, unless otherwise specified by the Standing Order.

Safety Measures

• Regular, least intrusive contact is made with inmates and visitors during visits to ensure institution security and visitor/inmate safety.
• Post-visit interviews are documented within 5 working days.
• Concerns are immediately reported to the Correctional Manager, documented in a report, and shared with the Correctional Officer II/Primary Worker and Parole Officer.

Refusal or Suspension

• Visits can be refused or suspended by the Institutional Head if there are reasonable grounds to suspect jeopardization of security or safety, a criminal offence plan/commission, or if visit restrictions are insufficient to manage the risk.
• Inmate and visitors are informed in writing of the reasons and have 5 working days to respond. Reviews happen within 5 working days. Decision is communicated within 15 working days, with appeals rights.
• Re-application following a refusal/suspension requires a new risk assessment, at least six months later or when new information is obtained to change the decision.