Ombudsperson’s Report: Alone

The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) is committed to sharing with British Columbians the actions taken in response to recommendations provided by its oversight bodies, including the Office of the Ombudsperson.

Alone: The Prolonged and Repeated Isolation of Youth in Custody, June 15, 2021

In June 2021, the Office of the Ombudsperson released Alone: The Prolonged and Repeated Isolation of Youth in Custody, which reported on the use of separate confinement in Youth Custody Services. This report provides 26 recommendations that include amendments to legislation, regulations, and policy on separate confinement. The ministry committed to meeting the spirit and intent of the recommendations

The ministry welcomes and appreciates this report as it offers valuable insights on strengthening legislation, policy, and practice on the use of separate confinement. MCFD has updated the Ombudsperson on the key actions taken to implement the recommendations during the first year since the release of the report.

Ministry response

The ministry has taken the following steps in response to this report:

• Enhanced transparency and accountability in the use of separate confinement by heightening oversight and monitoring through the appointment of independent reviewers, tasked with ensuring compliance with regulation and policy.
• Embedded trauma-informed approaches into all aspects of policy and practice. 
• Created safe spaces that provide temporary support within each custody living unit at Burnaby Youth Custody Services for youth who need immediate emotional and physical support.
• Introduced Body Scanner technology in December 2021 as an additional and less invasive approach to contraband interdiction strategy.
• Introduced and implemented a Youth Custody Services Inspection Framework beginning in March 2022 with corresponding inspection schedules for youth custody centres.
• Published data on the use of separate confinement on the BC Government Data Catalogue.
• Updated existing service agreements between Youth Custody Services and Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services to include:
  • coordinated assessments, treatment, and supports for young people, and
  • the provision of integrated mental health supports and services that include access to psychiatry, psychology, psychiatric nursing, and psychiatric social work.

Note: Youth Justice Service Framework

The development of a Youth Justice Service Framework is the first step in a multi-phased effort to transform youth justice services in BC. Phase One engagements (2021-2022) canvassed approximately 340 justice and social sector participants.

Phase Two, currently underway, will focus on gathering input from youth with lived experience, Indigenous communities, and partners to better understand youth justice services – inclusive of gaps and opportunities – and develop solutions that work to meet the needs of youth, victims, families and communities.