Today, Anne Kelly, the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), issued the following statement:
"I welcome the Office of the Correctional Investigator's (OCI) 52nd Annual Report. Building on our response to last year's OCI report, this year's response outlines several key actions, and initiatives CSC is undertaking to strengthen the provision of mental health services delivered to federally sentenced offenders.
First and foremost, I want to sincerely thank our employees, volunteers and stakeholders who work tirelessly each day to support offenders, including through the provision of effective health services. Their dedication plays a vital role in the safe and successful rehabilitation of offenders - and ultimately to keeping Canadians safe.
CSC manages approximately 15,000 incarcerated offenders across 43 correctional institutions nationwide. This population is highly diverse and complex with a broad spectrum of health and intervention needs. At intake, 36% of inmates are diagnosed with a mental illness and 60% present with a substance use disorder. As the incarcerated population ages - 25% are now over the age of 50 - there is a growing demand for specialized care, including support for dementia and other age-related conditions.
CSC delivers health care directly to federal inmates through a team of registered health care professionals, who provide clinically independent, culturally responsive, and person-centred care. Mental heath care is a critical component of rehabilitation and must be integrated with other supports, such as correctional programs and interventions to effectively address the complex needs. Of note, approximately 95% of inmates with some or higher mental health need received treatment, and approximately 94% of inmates have an identified physician or nurse practitioner who serves as their designated point of contact. This approach ensures continuity of care and supports better health outcomes within the correctional environment.
Our integrated mental health service delivery model provides a continuum of care from admission to sentence expiration. This includes Regional Treatment Centres (RTC), which offer psychiatric in-patient and intermediate mental health services to inmates with an identified level of mental health need.
In May 2024, CSC's Health Services Sector launched a review of RTCs to standardize policies and programs across the country. This review includes a focus on the unique health needs of women and Indigenous individuals.
In response to the OCI's recommendations, CSC is reviewing the environments of health facilities to better support rehabilitation and recovery. A key initiative in this area is the development of the Health Services Action Plan for the Built Environment (HSAPBE), which will guide long-term planning for CSC's health infrastructure.
Another important initiative is the implementation of a Patient Advocacy Service (PAS), supported by an advisory committee launched in Spring 2025. This committee is comprised of both internal and external stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, who will provide guidance to further support CSC in meeting the needs of those in our care.
CSC also completed a review of Intermediate Mental Health Care (IMHC), led by our national senior psychiatrist, in collaboration with external experts. The review focused on improving mental health outcomes, functioning, and quality of life for inmates with mental illnesses. Continued enhancements to the IMHC model will be implemented to further strengthen supports and outcomes.
As the inmate population continues to grow in complexity and diversity, CSC remains committed to improving its service delivery model to meet evolving needs. This OCI report offers valuable insights and recommendations that help guide this work. I am proud of the progress we have made and remain committed to advancing initiatives outlined in our response.
Finally, I would like to extend my personal thanks to Dr. Ivan Zinger for his decades of service and dedication to corrections, including over 20 years served with the Office of the Correctional Investigator. His contributions to offender rehabilitation and public safety, both nationally and internationally, have been significant. I wish him all the best in his upcoming retirement in February 2026 and look forward to working with the incoming Correctional Investigator."
