Corrections and Conditional Release Act

Marginal note:Temporary absences may be authorized

• 17 (1) Where, in the opinion of the institutional head,

  • (a) an inmate will not, by reoffending, present an undue risk to society during an absence authorized under this section,

  • (b) it is desirable for the inmate to be absent from penitentiary, escorted by a staff member or other person authorized by the institutional head, for medical, administrative, community service, family contact, personal development for rehabilitative purposes, or compassionate reasons, including parental responsibilities,

  • (c) the inmate’s behaviour while under sentence does not preclude authorizing the absence, and

  • (d) a structured plan for the absence has been prepared,

  the absence may, subject to section 746.1 of the Criminal Code, subsection 140.3(2) of the National Defence Act and subsection 15(2) of the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, be authorized by the institutional head

  • (e) for an unlimited period for medical reasons, or

  • (f) for reasons other than medical,

    • (i) for a period not exceeding five days, or

    • (ii) with the Commissioner’s approval, for a period exceeding five days but not exceeding fifteen days.

• Marginal note:Conditions

  (2) The institutional head may impose, in relation to a temporary absence, any conditions that the institutional head considers reasonable and necessary in order to protect society.

• Marginal note:Cancellation

  (3) The institutional head may cancel a temporary absence either before or after its commencement.

• Marginal note:Reasons to be given

  (4) The institutional head shall give the inmate written reasons for the authorizing, refusal or cancellation of a temporary absence.

• Marginal note:Travel time

  (5) In addition to the period authorized for the purposes of a temporary absence, an inmate may be granted the time necessary to travel to and from the place where the absence is authorized to be spent.

• Marginal note:Delegation to provincial hospital

  (6) Where, pursuant to an agreement under paragraph 16(1)(a), an inmate has been admitted to a hospital operated by a provincial government in which the liberty of patients is normally subject to restrictions, the institutional head may confer on the person in charge of the hospital, for such period and subject to such conditions as the institutional head specifies, any of the institutional head’s powers under this section in relation to that inmate.