Office of the Correctional Investigator

Summary

The Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) is Canada's federal ombudsman for inmates serving sentences in federal penitentiaries, established under Part III (ss. 158–196) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (SC 1992, c. 20). The Correctional Investigator is appointed by the Governor in Council for terms of up to five years, renewable, removable for cause. Under s. 172, the Investigator may compel production of any CSC document relevant to an investigation; under s. 173, persons may be examined on oath. The Investigator has no formal discipline authority over CSC staff and refers matters requiring criminal or disciplinary action to the Minister or competent authority. Annual reports are tabled in Parliament through the Minister of Public Safety within 30 sitting days. No prepublication review by CSC is required, though subjects of adverse comments must receive an opportunity to respond (s. 195).