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Ministry of Correctional Services Act

R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER M.22

Consolidation Period: From August 20, 2007 to the e-Laws currency date.

Last amendment: 2006, c. 35, Sched. C, s. 71.

SKIP TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS

Definitions

1.  In this Act,

“compassionate allowance” means an allowance made under section 13 of this Act and the regulations; (“indemnité spéciale”)

“contractor” means an individual, corporation, partnership or unincorporated association that enters into a contract or agreement under subsection 8 (4) or (5) to provide correctional services, and includes any person engaged by the contractor to provide any of the services; (“entrepreneur”)

“correctional institution” means a correctional institution established or continued under section 14, whether it is operated or maintained by the Ministry or by a contractor, but does not include a place of open custody, a place of secure custody, a place of temporary detention or a lock-up established under section 16.1 of the Police Services Act; (“établissement correctionnel”)

“correctional service” means a service provided for the purpose of carrying out the function or objects of the Ministry, including the operation and maintenance of correctional institutions; (“service correctionnel”)

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the definition of “correctional service” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (1) and the following substituted:

“correctional service” means a service provided for the purpose of carrying out the function or objects of the Ministry, including the operation and maintenance of correctional institutions and youth facilities; (“service correctionnel”)

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 18 (1), 72 (2).

“Deputy Minister” means the Deputy Minister of Correctional Services; (“sous-ministre”)

“inmate” means a person confined in a correctional institution or otherwise detained in lawful custody under a court order, but does not include a young person within the meaning of the Young Offenders Act (Canada) or the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) unless he or she,

(a) has been transferred to ordinary court under the Young Offenders Act (Canada), or

(b) receives an adult sentence within the meaning of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada); (“détenu”)

“maximum security place of custody” means a place of secure custody in which the Minister has established a maximum security custody program; (“lieu de garde à sécurité maximale”)

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the definition of “maximum security place of custody” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (3). See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 18 (3), 72 (2).

“medium security place of custody” means a place of secure custody in which the Minister has established a medium security custody program; (“lieu de garde à sécurité moyenne”)

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the definition of “medium security place of custody” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (3). See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 18 (3), 72 (2).

“Minister” means the Minister of Correctional Services; (“ministre”)

“Ministry” means the Ministry of Correctional Services; (“ministère”)

“parole” means parole under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Canada) or this Act, and “parolee” means a person who is released on parole; (“libération conditionnelle” ou “liberté conditionnelle”, “personne en liberté conditionnelle”)

“place of open custody” means a place or facility designated as a place of open custody under subsection 24.1 (1) of the Young Offenders Act (Canada), whether in accordance with section 88 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) or otherwise and operated by or for the Minister; (“lieu de garde en milieu ouvert”)

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the definition of “place of open custody” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (4) and the following substituted:

“place of open custody” means a place or facility designated as a place of open custody under the Young Offenders Act (Canada) and operated or maintained by the Ministry or by a contractor; (“lieu de garde en milieu ouvert”)

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 18 (4), 72 (2).

Note: On the day the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (4) comes into force, the definition of “place of open custody” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2006, chapter 19, Schedule D, subsection 12 (6) and the following substituted:

“place of open custody” means a place or facility designated as a place of open custody under section 24.1 of the Young Offenders Act (Canada), whether in accordance with section 88 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) or otherwise, and operated or maintained by the Ministry or by a contractor; (“lieu de garde en milieu ouvert”)

See: 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, ss. 12 (6), 20 (6).

“place of open temporary detention” means a place of temporary detention in which the Minister has established an open detention program; (“lieu de détention provisoire en milieu ouvert”)

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the definition of “place of open temporary detention” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (4). See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 18 (4), 72 (2).

“place of secure custody” means a place or facility designated for the secure containment or restraint of young persons under subsection 24.1 (1) of the Young Offenders Act (Canada), whether in accordance with section 88 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) or otherwise and operated by or for the Minister; (“lieu de garde en milieu fermé”)

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the definition of “place of secure custody” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (4) and the following substituted:

“place of secure custody” means a place or facility designated as a place of secure custody under the Young Offenders Act (Canada) and operated or maintained by the Ministry or by a contractor; (“lieu de garde en milieu fermé”)

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 18 (4), 72 (2).

Note: On the day the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (4) comes into force, the definition of “place of secure custody” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2006, chapter 19, Schedule D, subsection 12 (9) and the following substituted:

“place of secure custody” means a place or facility designated as a place of secure custody under section 24.1 of the Young Offenders Act (Canada), whether in accordance with section 88 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) or otherwise, and operated or maintained by the Ministry or by a contractor; (“lieu de garde en milieu fermé”)

See: 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, ss. 12 (9), 20 (6).

“place of secure temporary detention” means a place of temporary detention in which the Minister has established a secure detention program; (“lieu de détention provisoire en milieu fermé”)

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the definition of “place of secure temporary detention” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (4). See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 18 (4), 72 (2).

“place of temporary detention” means a place or facility designated as a place of temporary detention under subsection 7 (1) of the Young Offenders Act (Canada) or subsection 30 (1) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) and operated by or for the Minister; (“lieu de détention provisoire”)

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the definition of “place of temporary detention” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (4) and the following substituted:

“place of temporary detention” means a place or facility designated as a place of temporary detention under the Young Offenders Act (Canada) and operated or maintained by the Ministry or by a contractor; (“lieu de détention provisoire”)

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 18 (4), 72 (2).

Note: On the day the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (4) comes into force, the definition of “place of temporary detention” is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2006, chapter 19, Schedule D, subsection 12 (12) and the following substituted:

“place of temporary detention” means a place or facility designated as a place of temporary detention under subsection 7 (1) of the Young Offenders Act (Canada) or under subsection 30 (1) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) and operated or maintained by the Minister or by a contractor; (“lieu de détention provisoire”)

See: 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, ss. 12 (12), 20 (6).

“prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations; (“prescrit”)

“probation” means the disposition of a court authorizing a person to be at large subject to the conditions of a probation order or community service order and “probationer” means a person who is subject to a probation order or community service order; (“probation”, “probationnaire”)

“provincial director” means a provincial director appointed under clause 46 (1) (a); (“directeur provincial”)

“regulations” means the regulations made under this Act; (“règlements”)

“remission” means the remission of an inmate’s sentence that he or she may earn in accordance with the Prisons and Reformatories Act (Canada) or this Act; (“réduction de peine”)

“young person” means a person who is, or, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, appears to be,

(a) sixteen years of age, or more, but

(b) under eighteen years of age,

and includes a person eighteen years of age or more charged with having committed an offence while the person was sixteen years of age or more but under eighteen years of age, but does not include an inmate or a person charged with having committed an offence while the person was twelve years of age or more but under sixteen years of age. (“adolescent”) R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 1; 2000, c. 40, s. 1; 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table; 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 18 (2, 5); 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, s. 12 (3, 4, 7, 10).

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 1 is amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 18 (6) by adding the following definition:

“youth facility” means a place of open custody, a place of secure custody or a place of temporary detention. (“établissement pour adolescents”)

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 18 (6), 72 (2).

PART I
MINISTRY OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

Ministry continued

2.  (1)  The ministry of the public service known in English as the Ministry of Correctional Services and in French as ministère des Services correctionnels is continued. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 2 (1).

Minister to preside

(2)  The Minister shall preside over and have charge of the Ministry. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 2 (2).

Deputy Minister

3.  The Lieutenant Governor in Council shall appoint a Deputy Minister of Correctional Services who shall be the deputy head of the Ministry. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 3.

Duties of Minister

4.  The Minister is responsible for the administration of this Act and any Acts that are assigned to him or her by the Legislature or by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 4.

Functions of Ministry

5.  It is the function of the Ministry to supervise the detention and release of inmates, parolees, probationers and young persons and to create for them a social environment in which they may achieve changes in attitude by providing training, treatment and services designed to afford them opportunities for successful personal and social adjustment in the community, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the objects of the Ministry are to,

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 5 is amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 19 (1) by striking out “It is the function of the Ministry to supervise the detention and release of inmates, parolees, probationers and young persons and to create for them a social environment” at the beginning and substituting “It is the function of the Ministry to supervise the detention and release of inmates, parolees, probationers and young persons and to create for them an environment”. See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 19 (1), 72 (2).

(a) provide for the custody of persons awaiting trial or convicted of offences;

(b) establish, maintain and operate correctional institutions;

(c) provide for the open custody, secure custody and temporary detention of young persons awaiting trial, found guilty or convicted of offences;

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, clause (c) is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 19 (2) and the following substituted:

(c) provide for the custody of young persons awaiting trial or found guilty or convicted of offences;

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 19 (2), 72 (2).

(d) establish, maintain and operate places of open custody, secure custody and temporary detention;

(e) provide programs and facilities designed to assist in the rehabilitation of inmates and young persons;

(f) establish and operate a system of parole;

(g) provide probation services;

(h) provide supervision of non-custodial dispositions, where appropriate; and

(i) provide programs for the prevention of crime. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 5.

Employees

6.  Such employees as are required from time to time for the proper conduct of the Ministry may be appointed under Part III of the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 6; 2006, c. 35, Sched. C, s. 71 (1).

Delegation of Minister’s powers

7.  Where, under this or any other Act, a power or duty is granted to or vested in the Minister, he or she may in writing delegate that power or duty to the Deputy Minister, or to any officer or officers of the Ministry, subject to such limitations, restrictions, conditions and requirements as the Minister may set out in the delegation. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 7.

Agreements to provide corrective services

8.  (1)  The Minister, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, may, on behalf of the Crown in right of Ontario, make agreements with the Crown in right of Canada or of any province of Canada or with any municipality respecting,

(a) the exchange of services provided by the Ministry;

(b) the transfer of inmates or of young persons serving custodial sentences;

(c) any matter relating to the supervision and rehabilitation of an inmate, parolee, probationer or young person; or

(d) any matter for the administration of which the Minister is responsible. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 8 (1).

Persons under sixteen

(2)  With the approval of a provincial director, services may be provided under this Act to a person who is a young person within the meaning of the Young Offenders Act (Canada) or the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) but not within the meaning of the definition of “young person” in section 1. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 8 (2); 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, s. 12 (13).

Idem

(3)  A person who is the subject of an approval under subsection (2) shall be deemed to be a young person for the purposes of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 8 (3).

Agreements

(4)  The Minister, for and in the name of the Crown, may enter into any contract or agreement that he or she considers advisable for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 8 (4).

Idem

(5)  The employees of the Ministry under the direction of the Minister or the Deputy Minister may enter into contracts or agreements for and in the name of the Crown to carry out the responsibilities of the Ministry under this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 8 (5).

Same

(6)  Without limiting the generality of subsections (4) and (5), a contract or agreement under either of those subsections may authorize or require an individual, corporation, partnership or unincorporated association to provide correctional services. 2000, c. 40, s. 2.

Volunteers

9.  Every person providing volunteer services to the Ministry shall serve under the direction of an employee of the Ministry, a contractor or an employee of a contractor. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 9; 2000, c. 40, s. 3.

Confidentiality

10.  (1)  Every person employed in the administration of this Act, including any person making an inspection, investigation or inquiry under this Act, shall preserve secrecy in respect of all matters that come to his or her knowledge in the course of his or her duties, employment, inspection, investigation or inquiry and shall not communicate any such matters to any other person except,

(a) as may be required in connection with the administration of this Act, the Parole Act (Canada), the Penitentiary Act (Canada), the Prisons and Reformatories Act (Canada), the Young Offenders Act (Canada), the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada), the Provincial Offences Act or the Criminal Code (Canada) or the regulations thereunder;

(b) to the Ombudsman of Ontario or Correctional Investigator of Canada;

(c) in statistical form if the person’s name or identity is not revealed therein;

(d) with the approval of the Minister. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 10; 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, s. 12 (14).

Exception

(2)  Despite subsection (1) and any other Act, a person employed in the administration of this Act who is designated in the regulations may disclose personal information about an individual in accordance with the regulations. 1997, c. 17, s. 6.

Purpose of disclosure

(3)  Any disclosure made under subsection (2) shall be for one or more of the following purposes:

1. Protection of the public.

2. Protection of victims of crime.

3. Keeping victims of crime informed of the law enforcement, judicial or correctional processes relevant to the crime that affected them.

4. Law enforcement.

5. Correctional purposes.

6. Administration of justice.

7. Enforcement of and compliance with any federal or provincial Act, regulation or government program.

8. Keeping the public informed of the law enforcement, judicial or correctional processes respecting any individual. 1997, c. 17, s. 6.

Personal information

(4)  Any disclosure made under subsection (2) shall be deemed to be in compliance with clause 42 (1) (e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. 1997, c. 17, s. 6; 2006, c. 34, Sched. C, s. 24.

Same

(5)  If personal information is disclosed under subsection (2) to a ministry, agency or institution, the ministry, agency or institution shall collect such information and subsections 39 (2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and 29 (2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act do not apply to that collection of personal information. 1997, c. 17, s. 6.

Designation of peace officers

11.  (1)  The Minister may designate in writing,

(a) a person who is an employee of the Ministry or is employed at a place of open custody, secure custody or temporary detention, to be a peace officer while performing the person’s duties and functions; or

(b) a class or classes of persons from among the persons described in clause (a), to be peace officers while performing their duties and functions,

and may set out in the designation any conditions or limitations to which it is subject. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 11 (1).

Designation not a regulation

(2)  A designation under subsection (1) is not a regulation within the meaning of Part III (Regulations) of the Legislation Act, 2006. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 11 (2); 2006, c. 21, Sched. F, s. 136 (1).

Protection from personal liability

12.  (1)  No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against the Deputy Minister or any officer or employee of the Ministry or anyone acting under his or her authority for any act done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of his or her duty or for any alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of his or her duty or for any act of an inmate, parolee, probationer or young person while under his or her custody and supervision. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 12 (1).

Idem

(2)  Subsection (1) does not, by reason of subsections 5 (2) and (4) of the Proceedings Against the Crown Act, relieve the Crown of liability in respect of a tort committed by a person mentioned in subsection (1) to which it would otherwise be subject, and the Crown is liable under that Act for any such tort in a like manner as if subsection (1) had not been enacted. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 12 (2).

Compassionate allowance

13.  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may pay a compassionate allowance in the prescribed manner and amounts as compensation to an inmate or young person for permanent disability arising from an injury suffered while engaged in an authorized activity at a correctional institution or place of open custody, secure custody or temporary detention or to any other person for injury or damage inflicted upon that person by an inmate or young person while under the custody and supervision of the Ministry. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 13.

PART II
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Correctional institutions

14.  (1)  The correctional institutions existing immediately before the coming into force of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1990 continue to exist as correctional institutions. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 14 (1).

Idem

(2)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by order, establish or discontinue a correctional institution. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 14 (2).

Designated correctional institutions

(3)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by order, designate any place as a correctional institution for the temporary custody of inmates for such period as is stated in the order and may, by order, exempt the place so designated from the application of this Act or any part of it. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 14 (3).

Local monitoring boards

14.1  The Minister may establish a local monitoring board for a correctional institution, composed of persons appointed by the Minister. 2000, c. 40, s. 4.

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the Act is amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, section 20 by adding the following section:

Maximum and medium security custody programs

14.2  The Minister may establish in correctional institutions,

(a) maximum security custody programs, in which restrictions are continuously imposed on the liberty of inmates by physical barriers, close staff supervision or limited access to the community; and

(b) medium security custody programs, in which restrictions that are less stringent than in a maximum security custody program are imposed on the liberty of inmates. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 20.

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 20, 72 (2).

Community resource centre

15.  The Minister may designate any facility as a community resource centre for the rehabilitation and supervision of inmates, parolees or probationers in a community setting away from a correctional institution and the Minister may withdraw a designation from such a facility. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 15.

Custody before sentencing

15.1  A person, other than a young person, who is lawfully detained in a correctional institution but not sentenced to imprisonment may be detained in any correctional institution, as directed by the Ministry, or in the custody of a provincial bailiff or other person employed in a correctional institution. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 21.

Sentence to correctional institution

16.  (1)  The court before which a person is convicted under an Act of the Legislature of an offence punishable by imprisonment may sentence the person to imprisonment in a correctional institution. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 16 (1).

Same

(2)  A person who has been sentenced to imprisonment in a correctional institution may be detained in any correctional institution, as directed by the Ministry, or in the custody of a provincial bailiff or other person employed in a correctional institution. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 22.

Exception

(3)  Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to young persons. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 16 (3).

Warrant ineffective to specify correctional institution

17.  A person who is sentenced, committed or transferred to a correctional institution may be received into any correctional institution, as directed by the Ministry, and any designation of a particular correctional institution in a warrant of committal is of no force or effect. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 23.

18.  Repealed: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 24.

Provincial bailiffs

19.  (1)  The Minister may appoint provincial bailiffs who may convey an inmate in custody at a correctional institution to another correctional institution or penitentiary in which the inmate is lawfully directed to be confined. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 19 (1).

(2)  Repealed: 1997, c. 39, s. 8.

Powers

(3)  A provincial bailiff has the powers of a constable when conveying an inmate under this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 19 (3).

Superintendent of correctional institution

20.  (1)  The Minister shall, for each correctional institution, designate one or more superintendents of the institution. 2000, c. 40, s. 5 (1); 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 25 (1).

Responsibility for administration

(1.1)  The superintendent shall be responsible for the administration of the correctional institution. 2000, c. 40, s. 5 (1); 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 25 (2).

Duties

(2)  The superintendent shall receive into the institution every person delivered under lawful authority for detention in the institution and is responsible for the custody and supervision of such person until his or her term of imprisonment is completed or until the person is transferred or otherwise discharged in due course of law. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 25 (3).

Deputy superintendent

(3)  The Minister may designate one or more deputy superintendents of a correctional institution to be responsible for the administration of the institution when the superintendent, by reason of absence, illness or other cause, is unable to carry out his or her duties. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 25 (4).

Limitations

(4)  A designation under subsection (1) or (3) may be subject to such limitations, restrictions, conditions and requirements as the Minister may set out in the designation. 2000, c. 40, s. 5 (2).

Persons designated

(5)  A person designated under subsection (1) or (3) may be an employee of the Ministry or any other person. 2000, c. 40, s. 5 (2).

Use of correctional institution lock-up

21.  (1)  The Minister may designate a correctional institution for use by a municipality as a lock-up and, where the Minister makes such a designation, the Minister shall fix a rate per day for persons in custody in the lock-up. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 26.

Payment by municipality

(2)  The municipality shall pay to the Minister of Finance annually the rate per day that is fixed under subsection (1) for persons in custody in the lock-up during the year. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 26.

Inspection, investigation

22.  (1)  The Minister may designate any person as an inspector to make such inspection or investigation as the Minister may require in connection with the administration of this Act, and any person employed in the Ministry who obstructs an inspection or investigation or withholds, destroys, conceals or refuses to furnish any information or thing required by an inspector for the purposes of the inspection or investigation may be dismissed for cause from employment. 2006, c. 35, Sched. C, s. 71 (2).

Offence for obstructing inspection

(2)  A contractor or employee of a contractor who obstructs an inspection or investigation or withholds, destroys, conceals or refuses to furnish any information or thing required by an inspector for the purposes of the inspection or investigation is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $5,000. 2000, c. 40, s. 6.

Ministerial inquiry

23.  The Minister may, by order, appoint a person to make an inquiry into any matter to which this Act applies as may be specified in the Minister’s order and the person so appointed shall report the result of the inquiry to the Minister and, for the purposes of the inquiry, the person making it has the powers of a commission under Part II of the Public Inquiries Act, which Part applies to such inquiry as if it were an inquiry under that Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 23.

Searches

23.1  (1)  The superintendent of a correctional institution may authorize a search, to be carried out in the prescribed manner, of,

(a) the correctional institution or any part of the correctional institution;

(b) the person of any inmate or other person on the premises of the correctional institution;

(c) the property of any inmate or other person on the premises of the correctional institution;

(d) any vehicle entering or on the premises of the correctional institution. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 27.

Contraband

(2)  Any contraband found during a search may be seized and disposed of in the prescribed manner. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 27.

Same

(3)  For the purpose of subsection (2),

“contraband” means,

(a) anything that an inmate is not authorized to have,

(b) anything that an inmate is authorized to have but in a place where he or she is not authorized to have it,

(c) anything that an inmate is authorized to have but in a quantity that he or she is not authorized to have it, and

(d) anything that an inmate is authorized to have but which is being used for a purpose for which he or she is not authorized to use it. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 27.

Hospitalization and mental examinations

Medical treatment

24.  (1)  Where an inmate requires medical treatment that cannot be supplied at the correctional institution, the superintendent shall arrange for the inmate to be conveyed to a hospital or other health facility. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 28.

Psychiatric treatment

(2)  Where an inmate requires hospitalization in a psychiatric facility under the Mental Health Act, the superintendent shall arrange for the inmate to be conveyed to a psychiatric facility. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 28.

Mental examination

(3)  The superintendent may direct that an examination be made of an inmate by a psychiatrist or psychologist for the purpose of assessing the emotional and mental condition of the inmate. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 28.

Rehabilitation programs

25.  The Minister may establish rehabilitation programs under which inmates may be granted the privilege of continuing to work at their regular employment, obtaining new employment, attending academic institutions, or participating in any other program that the Minister may consider advisable in order that such persons may have a better opportunity for rehabilitation. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 25.

Work outside institution

26.  (1)  The Minister may authorize an inmate or group of inmates to participate in a work project or rehabilitation program outside the correctional institution in which the inmate or inmates are confined and the Minister may authorize the absence of the inmate or group of inmates from the correctional institution for that purpose on such terms and conditions as the Minister may specify. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 26 (1).

Idem

(2)  Every inmate who is absent from a correctional institution under subsection (1) shall comply with such terms and conditions as are specified by the Minister. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 26 (2).

Offence

(3)  Every inmate who contravenes subsection (2) without lawful excuse, the proof of which lies upon the inmate, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 26 (3).

Temporary absence

27.  (1)  Where, in the opinion of a person, designated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for the purpose, it is necessary or desirable that an inmate be temporarily absent from a correctional institution for medical or humanitarian reasons or to assist the inmate in his or her rehabilitation, the person may authorize the temporary absence of the inmate on such terms and conditions as the person may specify. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 27 (1); 2000, c. 40, s. 7; 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 29.

Idem

(2)  Every inmate temporarily absent under subsection (1) shall comply with such terms and conditions as are specified and shall return to the correctional institution at the expiration of the period for which the inmate is authorized to be at large. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 27 (2).

Offence

(3)  Every inmate who contravenes subsection (2) without lawful excuse, the proof of which lies upon the inmate, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 27 (3).

Custody

27.1  An inmate shall be deemed to be in the custody of a correctional institution for the purposes of this Act even if he or she is not on the premises of the correctional institution, so long as he or she is in the custody of a correctional officer. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 30.

Remission

28.  (1)  Every inmate may be credited with remission of his or her sentence and is subject to the forfeitures of such remission equivalent to that provided for in the Prisons and Reformatories Act (Canada). R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 28 (1); 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 31 (1).

Restoration of forfeiture remission

(2)  Where an inmate has forfeited the whole or any part of his or her remission, a person designated by the Minister for the purpose may, where the person is satisfied that it is in the interest of the inmate’s rehabilitation, remit the whole or any part of such forfeiture. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 28 (2); 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 31 (2).

Surrender of remission

(3)  Where an inmate offers to surrender the whole or any part of his or her remission and where, in the opinion of the superintendent, it is necessary or desirable that the inmate remain confined in the correctional institution for medical or humanitarian reasons or to assist the inmate in his or her rehabilitation for a period of time after the day on which the inmate is eligible to be released by reason of remission, the superintendent may authorize the surrender of remission by the inmate. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 31 (3).

Supervision, privileges continued

(4)  Where an inmate surrenders remission under subsection (3), the inmate shall remain confined in the correctional institution for such further period that corresponds to the amount of remission surrendered, under the same control and supervision and with the same privileges as if the inmate were not eligible to be released at that time. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 28 (4).

Withdrawal

(5)  Despite subsection (3), a superintendent may withdraw an authorization and an inmate may withdraw a surrender of remission at any time after the day on which the inmate was eligible for release from the correctional institution, and where such withdrawal is made in writing, the inmate shall be released from the institution forthwith. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 28 (5); 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 31 (4).

Determinations of remission

28.1  A determination of whether an inmate has earned remission under the Prisons and Reformatories Act (Canada) or section 28 of this Act shall comply with the requirement under subsection 6 (1) of the Prisons and Reformatories Act that inmates earn remission by obeying prison rules and conditions governing temporary absence and by actively participating in programs, other than full parole, designed to promote inmates’ rehabilitation and reintegration as determined in accordance with the regulations made under clause 60 (1) (d.1). 2000, c. 40, s. 8.

29.  Repealed: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 32.

Ministry employees, conflicts of interest, etc.

Employees not to be interested in contracts

30.  (1)  No person employed in the Ministry or by a contractor shall, without the approval of the Minister, either in the person’s own name or in the name of or in connection with or as the agent of any other person, provide, furnish or supply any materials, goods or provisions for the use of a correctional institution or community resource centre, or have an interest, directly or indirectly, in furnishing, supplying or transporting the same or in any contract relating thereto. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 30 (1); 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 33 (1).

Employees not to trade, etc., with persons in custody

(2)  No person employed in the Ministry shall, without the approval of the Minister, buy from or sell to any inmate, parolee or probationer anything whatsoever or take or receive to the person’s own use or for the use of any other person, any fee or gratuity from any inmate in a correctional institution or from any visitor thereto or any parolee or probationer or from any other person in respect of an inmate, parolee or probationer. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 30 (2).

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, subsection (2) is amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, subsection 33 (2) by striking out “No person employed in the Ministry” at the beginning and substituting “No person employed in the Ministry or by a contractor”. See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 33 (2), 72 (2).

Offence

(3)  Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $5,000. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 30 (3).

PART III
ONTARIO PAROLE AND EARNED RELEASE BOARD

Meaning of “Board”, Part III

31.  In this Part,

“Board” means the Ontario Parole and Earned Release Board continued by section 32. 2000, c. 40, s. 10.

Ontario Parole and Earned Release Board

32.  (1)  The Board of Parole is continued as a board known in English as the Ontario Parole and Earned Release Board and in French as Commission ontarienne des libérations conditionnelles et des mises en liberté méritées. 2000, c. 40, s. 10.

Composition

(2)  The Board shall be composed of such full-time and part-time members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as the Lieutenant Governor in Council may consider necessary. 2000, c. 40, s. 10.

Provincial parole board

(3)  For the purposes of any Act of the Parliament of Canada, the Board is the provincial parole board for Ontario. 2000, c. 40, s. 10.

Board chair and quorum

33.  (1)  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may designate one of the members of the Board to be the chair thereof. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 33 (1).

Same

(2)  Two members of the Board constitute a quorum, but if the Board fails to reach a decision on any matter, question or thing that was examined or heard by only two members, the Board shall re-examine or rehear the matter, question or thing. 1996, c. 1, Sched. P, s. 1.

Remuneration of part-time members

34.  The members of the Board who are part-time members shall serve without salary but may be paid such expenses and allowances for attendance at Board meetings and for other attendances in connection with the business of the Board as may be determined by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 34.

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the Act is amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, section 34 by adding the following section:

Exclusive jurisdiction of Board

34.1  (1)  The Board has exclusive jurisdiction to examine, hear and determine all matters and questions relating to the release of inmates on parole and any matter or thing in respect of which any power, authority or discretion is conferred upon the Board by or under this Act or which is conferred upon a provincial parole board by the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Canada). 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 34.

Remission

(2)  The Board has exclusive jurisdiction in the prescribed circumstances to determine whether an inmate has earned remission under subsection 6 (1) of the Prisons and Reformatories Act (Canada) or section 28 of this Act. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 34.

Decisions final

(3)  Any action or decision of the Board on a matter, question or thing for which it has exclusive jurisdiction is final and conclusive and is not open to question or review in any court and no proceedings by or before the Board shall be restrained by injunction, prohibition or other process or proceeding in any court or be removable by application for judicial review or otherwise into any court. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 34.

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 34, 72 (2).

Granting of parole

35.  Subject to the regulations, the Board may order the release from custody on parole of any inmate convicted of an offence under any Act of the Legislature, any Act of the Parliament of Canada or against a municipal by-law upon such conditions as the Board may determine. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 35.

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 35 is amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, section 35 by adding the following subsection:

Application for parole

(2)  Upon an application by an inmate for parole, the Board shall,

(a) grant parole upon the conditions that it considers appropriate; or

(b) deny parole. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 35.

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 35, 72 (2).

Remission

35.1  In the prescribed circumstances, determinations of whether an inmate has earned remission under subsection 6 (1) of the Prisons and Reformatories Act (Canada) or section 28 of this Act may be made by the Board. 2000, c. 40, s. 11.

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 35.1 is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, section 36. See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 36, 72 (2).

Jurisdiction

36.  The Board has exclusive jurisdiction to examine into, hear and determine all matters and questions arising under this Part and as to any matter or thing in respect of which any power, authority or discretion is conferred upon the Board, and the action or decision of the Board thereon is final and conclusive and is not open to question or review in any court and no proceedings by or before the Board shall be restrained by injunction, prohibition or other process or proceeding in any court or be removable by application for judicial review or otherwise into any court. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 36.

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 36 is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, section 37 and the following substituted:

Revocation of parole before release

36.  (1)  Where parole has been granted but the inmate has not yet been released from custody on parole, the Board may revoke its grant of parole if,

(a) it obtains new information that is relevant to its decision to grant parole; or

(b) the inmate requests that the grant be revoked. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 37.

New hearing

(2)  Where the Board has revoked a grant of parole under clause (1) (a), the Board shall hold a new hearing to determine whether to grant parole or not, unless the inmate waives his or her right to the hearing. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 37.

Powers

(3)  After the hearing under subsection (2), the Board may,

(a) grant parole upon the conditions that it considers appropriate; or

(b) deny parole. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 37.

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 37, 72 (2).

Victims

36.1  Victims within the meaning of the Victims’ Bill of Rights, 1995 and other victims of offences may participate in proceedings of the Board in accordance with the regulations. 2002, c. 12, s. 1.

Parole term to include remission

37.  Where parole is granted, the term of parole shall include any portion of remission standing to the credit of the parolee when he or she is released. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 37.

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 37 is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, section 38 and the following substituted:

Remission

37.  Where parole is granted under section 35 or 36, the term of parole shall include any portion of remission standing to the credit of the parolee when he or she is released and shall end upon the expiration of his or her sentence as set out in his or her warrant of committal. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 38.

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 38, 72 (2).

Information re parolees

38.  When required by the Board, it is the duty of every person having information relevant to the suitability of an inmate to be paroled to submit such information to the Board in writing. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 38; 1997, c. 39, s. 9.

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 38 is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, section 39 and the following substituted:

Duty to submit information to Board

38.  When required by the Board, it is the duty of every person having information relevant to the suitability of an inmate to be paroled or released on a temporary absence to submit such information to the Board or to a person employed in the administration of this Act and authorized by the Ministry for the purpose. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 39.

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 39, 72 (2).

Failure to observe parole conditions

39.  (1)  A member of the Board, or such other person as is designated by the Board for the purpose, who believes on reasonable and probable grounds that a parolee has failed to observe any of the conditions of his or her parole, may authorize the arrest and return to a correctional institution of the parolee by a warrant in writing signed by the member or person. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 39 (1).

Review

(2)  Where a parolee has been returned to a correctional institution under subsection (1), the Board shall review the parole as soon as possible thereafter, and shall decide either to revoke the parole or to release the parolee and allow him or her to continue on parole. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 39 (2).

Calculation of term if parole revoked

(3)  Where parole is revoked under subsection (2), the parolee shall, despite the fact that parole was granted before the 20th day of June, 1978, serve the portion of his or her term of imprisonment, including any remission, that remained unexpired at the time parole was granted, less,

(a) the period of time spent on parole after the 20th day of June, 1978;

(b) the period of time during which parole was suspended and the parolee was in custody; and

(c) any remission earned after the 20th day of June, 1978 applicable to the period during which the parole was suspended and the parolee was in custody. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 39 (3).

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, section 39 is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2002, chapter 18, Schedule N, section 40 and the following substituted:

Suspension of parole after release

39.  (1)  A member of the Board or a person designated for the purpose by the chair of the Board may, by warrant, in circumstances described in subsection (2),

(a) suspend a parolee’s parole;

(b) authorize the apprehension of the parolee; and

(c) authorize the recommittal of the parolee to custody until the suspension is cancelled, the parole is revoked or the sentence expires according to law. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 40.

Circumstances

(2)  Subsection (1) applies if,

(a) the parolee breaches a condition of his or her parole; or

(b) the member of the Board or designated person referred to in subsection (1) is satisfied that it is necessary and reasonable to suspend the parole in order to,

(i) prevent a breach of a condition of parole, or

(ii) protect any person from danger or any property from damage. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 40.

Review hearing

(3)  The Board shall hold a hearing to review the granting and suspension of the inmate’s parole as soon as possible after a parolee has been recommitted to custody under subsection (1). 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 40.

Revocation or reinstatement of parole

(4)  The Board shall consider the reasons for suspending the parole and the submissions, if any, of the inmate and shall, after a hearing under subsection (3),

(a) lift the suspension of the parole and allow the inmate to be released and continue his or her parole upon the conditions that it considers appropriate; or

(b) revoke the parole. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 40.

Calculation of term if parole revoked

(5)  Where parole is revoked by the Board after a hearing under subsection (3), the parolee shall, even if his or her parole had been granted before the coming into force of section 40 of Schedule N to the Government Efficiency Act, 2002, serve the remaining portion of his or her term of imprisonment, including any remission that was to his or her credit at the time parole was granted, less,

(a) the period of time spent on parole;

(b) the period of time during which parole was suspended and the parolee was in custody; and

(c) any remission credited to the parolee applicable to the period during which the parolee is in custody after his or her parole was suspended. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 40.

Same

(6)  Despite subsection (5), the Board may recredit an inmate whose parole is revoked through no fault of the inmate with all or part of the remission which the inmate would have been eligible to earn, if parole had not been granted, up to the time the parole was suspended and the parolee was in custody. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 40.

See: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 40, 72 (2).

Annual report

40.  The Board shall in each year make a report in writing to the Lieutenant Governor in Council of the history and proceedings of the Board during the twelve-month period ending on the 31st day of March of such year. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 40.

Act not to affect executive power to reprieve, pardon, etc.

41.  Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting or impairing or as intending or purporting to affect or impair the powers of the Governor General of Canada or the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to grant a reprieve, pardon or commutation of sentence in any case. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 41.

PART IV
ADULT PROBATION

Meaning of “court”, Part IV

42.  In this Part,

“court” means a court of criminal jurisdiction. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 42.

Appointment of probation officers

43.  (1)  Such probation officers as are considered necessary for the purposes of this Act shall be appointed under Part III of the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 43 (1); 2006, c. 35, Sched. C, s. 71 (3).

Jurisdiction

(2)  Every probation officer appointed in accordance with subsection (1) is a probation officer in and for the Province of Ontario and shall perform his or her duties in such part of Ontario as is assigned from time to time by the Minister. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 43 (2).

Same

(3)  Every probation officer appointed in accordance with subsection (1) is a probation officer for the purposes of,

(a) this Act, the Provincial Offences Act, the Child and Family Services Act and any other Act of the Legislature; and

(b) the Criminal Code (Canada), the Young Offenders Act (Canada) and the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada). 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 41; 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, s. 12 (15).

Duties of probation officer

44.  (1)  It is the duty of a probation officer,

(a) to procure and report to a court such information pertaining to a person found to have committed an offence as the court may require for the purpose of making a disposition of the case;

(b) to make recommendations in the report referred to in clause (a) as to the disposition of the case upon being requested by the court;

(c) to comply with any direction made to the probation officer by a court in a probation order. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 44 (1).

Variation of direction

(2)  Where a probation officer is of the opinion that compliance with a direction issued by a court is inconvenient or impossible, the probation officer may apply to the court for a variation of its direction, and the court, upon consideration of the reasons for the application, may vary its direction to the probation officer as it considers appropriate in the circumstances. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 44 (2).

Duties assigned by Minister

(3)  In addition to the duties of a probation officer referred to in subsection (1), a probation officer shall perform such other duties as are assigned by the Minister. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 44 (3).

PART V
YOUNG PERSONS

Meaning of “Board”, Part V

45.  In this Part,

“Board” means the Custody Review Board continued by subsection 51 (1). R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 45.

Appointments by Minister

46.  (1)  The Minister may appoint any person as,

(a) a provincial director, to perform any or all of the duties and functions of a provincial director,

(i) under the Young Offenders Act (Canada),

(ii) under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada), and

(iii) under this Act or the regulations; and

(b) a youth worker, to perform any or all of the duties and functions of a youth worker,

(i) under the Young Offenders Act (Canada),

(ii) under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada), and

(iii) under this Act or the regulations. 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, s. 12 (16).

Limitations, etc., on appointments

(2)  The Minister may set out in an appointment made under subsection (1) any conditions or limitations to which it is subject. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 46 (2).

Temporary detention and secure custody programs

Secure and open temporary detention programs

47.  (1)  The Minister may establish,

(a) secure temporary detention programs, in which restrictions are continuously imposed on the liberty of young persons by physical barriers, close staff supervision or limited access to the community; and

(b) open temporary detention programs, in which restrictions that are less stringent than in a secure temporary detention program are imposed on the liberty of young persons,

in places of temporary detention. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 47 (1).

(2)  Repealed: 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, s. 12 (17).

Officers and other Ministry employees

Bailiffs

48.  (1)  Section 19 (provincial bailiffs) applies with necessary modifications to the transfer of young persons in accordance with this Act, the Young Offenders Act (Canada) and the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada). R.S.O. 1990, c. M.22, s. 48 (1); 2006, c. 19, Sched.&nb