Department of Justice

WCC Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting
What are visiting hours?
What do I need to do in order to visit someone?
How are visits conducted?
What factors affect my visiting privileges?

Personal Items
What personal items can inmates have?

Inmate Money
How can I transfer money to an inmate?
How do inmates transfer out money?

Communicating with an Inmate
What are the procedures for inmate phone calls?
How can I get a message to an inmate?
Can inmates make long distance telephone calls?

Complaint Process
How can an inmate lodge a complaint?

Case-specific Questions
How do I find out case-specific information such as admission dates, release dates, offense type, sentence length, or other specific questions?
What is the difference between the provincial correctional system and the federal correctional system?

Visiting

What are visiting hours?

In order to maintain community and family contacts and to promote healthy relationships, the Whitehorse Correctional Centre will encourage visiting between inmates and their families and friends.

  • Visiting hours for the sentenced inmate population will be held between 1 - 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. Visits for those inmates sentenced to federal sentences will be held at the same time as remand inmates.
  • Visiting hours for remand inmates will be between 7 - 9 p.m. on Saturdays through to Thursdays and statutory holidays, by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the Centre after 5 p.m. during business days. Inmates will be granted a one-hour visit in the two-hour block unless otherwise directed by the Senior Corrections Officer. Visiting for remand serving inmates will be done over glass.

Definitions

"Special Visit" means any visit between an inmate and family members held outside of regularly scheduled visiting times. Special visits must be made by appointment in advance with the Senior Corrections Officer on duty. The Senior Corrections Officer will approve the special visit based on operational requirements taking into consideration where the visitors have come from and the reason for the visit.

"Interview" means a meeting between the inmate and lawyer(s), spiritual advisor, volunteer or professional counsellor, Corrections Inspector and others acting in an official capacity.

"Immediate family" means grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, or any other family relationship established by the inmate and recognized by the Senior Corrections Officer on duty.

How do I arrange to visit an inmate?

  1. Each inmate is required to submit a list of family members or other persons they wish to visit on a regular basis. The family member list may be revised or amended once per month by the inmate. The non-family list may be revised once every six months. This list will include full names, dates of birth and addresses.
  2. Prospective visitors must submit a Visitors Application form. Only this document in its original form will be processed for visiting privileges; no other reproduction or facsimile will be accepted in its place. However, consideration will be given to persons who live in the communities who may only be in Whitehorse on short notice. These visitors may be cleared for open visits subject to a satisfactory clearance by the Superintendent or designate, and only if the visit will contribute to the rehabilitation of the inmate.
  3. Using the information on the Visitors' Application form, each visitor will be screened for security clearance before he/she will be placed on the inmate's visiting list.
  4. To make an appointment to visit a remand inmate, visitors should call the Centre after 5 p.m. on business days. No appointment is necessary to visit regular sentenced inmates. Visitors will be asked to produce proper identification, e.g. driver license, or photo identification that clearly identifies them, if they cannot be identified by staff. Visitors must be on the inmate's approved visiting list before they may visit.
  5. Visitors may be asked to submit to a search as per the Whitehorse Correctional Centre Policy and Procedures. Failure to submit to a search will result in the visit being terminated.
  6. With the exception of relatives, no visitor shall be permitted to visit more than one inmate, or have their name added to more than one inmate's visiting list. Offenders or ex-offenders shall not be allowed to visit an inmate unless the Superintendent has approved them. The only exception would be ex-offenders who are related to the offender, e.g. brother/ sister, mother/ father.

Rules for Visiting

  1. Visits involving private business or professional counsel may be granted during normal office hours or at other pre-arranged times. Inmates have the right to visit with their lawyer, for the purposes of legal counselling at any time during normal office hours, or at a pre-arranged time convenient to the lawyer and the Correctional Centre. Lawyers may have open visits unless directed otherwise by the lawyer or unless the safety and security of the Centre or any individual is in jeopardy.
  2. No visiting will be allowed in the living units, with one exception – the Medical dorm – which requires the approval of the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.
  3. Normally, intermittent inmates will not receive personal visits on weekends except in emergency situations as approved by the Senior Corrections Officer on duty.
  4. Special visits for inmates awaiting transfer to the Federal system will be promoted. It is important that we consider the difficulty for Yukon families to visit inmates once they have been transferred to the Federal system.
  5. The Superintendent or delegate may suspend or cancel visiting privileges of any visitor for the following reasons:
    • Persons with outstanding charges or outstanding warrants shall not be permitted visiting privileges, which may include restrictions, e.g. having a no-contact order, being co-accused in a criminal investigation;
    • Persons who may be under investigation or suspected to be actively involved in drug activity within the Yukon;
    • Persons who are under the influence of an intoxicant, e.g. alcohol, non-prescription drugs;
    • Persons who have been found in possession of contraband while visiting an inmate of the Whitehorse Correctional Centre;
    • Persons who may not have a positive influence on the rehabilitation of the inmate or who may be a concern to the security of the Centre;
    • Excessive or disruptive physical contact between visitor and inmate;
    • Loud or unruly behaviour;
    • Groundless or excessive complaining;
    • Disrespectful or abusive language to any Correctional staff member; and/or
    • Persons who, in any way, offend against the good order and discipline of the Centre.
  6. Any visitor or inmate who is found in possession of drugs or dangerous contraband as a result of a visit shall be dealt with accordingly, and the visitor shall be barred from the Centre for a period of time determined by the Superintendent.
  7. The Superintendent or delegate may refuse or deny entry of visitors to the Centre for, but not limited to, the following reasons:
    • security reasons;
    • presenting under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
    • disruptive conduct;
    • insufficient identification;
    • refusing a search; and/ or
    • the inmate refuses to see the visitor.
  8. Any visitor who has been denied visiting privileges or is barred from entering the Centre shall be provided written reasons for the same. The written notification will identify the period of time that the visitor will be denied access to the Centre and will state that he/she has the right to appeal the decision to the Superintendent.
  9. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (legal proof of age may be requested). Visitors bringing children into the Centre will be expected to exercise such control that ensures they are not creating a disturbance or annoying other visitors.

Personal Items

What personal items can inmates have?

Please call the Centre for advice.

The following list of personal items will be allowed into the Centre:

  • religious items such as a Medicine bag, medals, Rosaries, etc.
  • eye glasses, hearing aids, dentures, contact lenses, a watch and travel alarm clock
  • wedding rings and other rings without a raised profile - smooth finish only
  • musical instruments
  • photographs
  • canteen purchases
  • special clothing
  • books, letters, cards and other correspondence
  • one Walkman or CD player with earphones (non-recording type)
  • up to 10 cassette tapes or CD's. Cassettes must be clear; completely transparent
  • a personal gaming machine and up to two (2) games
  • medical items authorized by the nurse
  • one pair of slippers
  • hobbycraft items (with written authorization) such as beading and leather items, art drawing supplies, art painting supplies, crocheting, macramé and needle work supplies, knitting supplies
  • reading material
  • games such as chess, checkers, cards, etc.
  • toiletries, make up, hair products in reasonable amounts. Items must be sealed, non-aerosol and alcohol free
  • anything else authorized by the Assistant Superintendent in writing.

Personal Clothing

Inmates are issued clothing while at WCC. They are not allowed to have any of their own clothing while in custody, with the following exceptions:

  • inmates may wear their own sweatpants at certain times of the day.
  • inmates may be authorized to wear their own shoes.
  • Work Crew inmates may wear their own cap while outdoors.

Visitors may drop off clothing for an inmate if the inmate needs those clothes for court (e.g. a suit) or if the inmate needs them for warmth (e.g. a parka), or for gym (e.g. sweats or runners).

Inmate Money

How can I transfer money to an inmate?

As part of the Centre's admission procedure, all personal property and money is removed from inmates and secured. A trust account will be opened and maintained for each inmate who has or will receive money while incarcerated at Whitehorse Correctional Centre.

Visitors can drop off money for an inmate at any time. The Control Officer will count the money and issue a receipt, a copy of which will be given to the visitor.

Transferring money out

Inmates wishing to transfer money out from their trust account must complete a "Request for Transfer of Personal Funds" form, which is reviewed by the inmate's Case Manager. The Finance Officer processes approved cash transfers once each week and deducts the money from the inmate's trust account. The money is placed in a sealed envelope with the transfer name, inmate's name and inmate's number recorded on the front.

Inmates must sign a waiver in order to request that cash be mailed out. The Centre is not responsible for any money sent through the mail.

When the cash transfer is picked up, the Control Officer will have the person sign for receiving the money, record the date, and their signature in the transfer book. Transfers not picked up within ten (10) working days will be re-credited back to the inmate's trust account.

Upon release

When an inmate is released, any money remaining in his/her trust account is returned to him/her in a sealed envelope along with a petty cash receipt.

Communicating with an Inmate

Inmate Phone Procedures

Inmates may use the phones in the dormitories, Remand, and the Reception Unit from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m.-11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and evenings prior to statutory holidays.

Telephone calls will be limited to 10 minutes and inmates will be normally permitted one personal phone call each day. Telephone calls to lawyers or for the purpose of securing money to pay fines or secure bail will be permitted in addition to the daily personal call.

Inmates cannot receive incoming telephone calls. Messages will only be taken for inmates if the caller is phoning long distance or in a family emergency. The best way to get a message to an inmate is to drop off a note to the Centre.

The Superintendent is authorized to conduct monitoring of conversations in order to obtain a certain degree of control over an inmate's communication in the interest of the safety and security in the Institution.

Making Long Distance Calls

Inmates pay for long distance phone calls either by reversing the charges (calling collect), charging them to a calling card or charging them to their WCC trust account. Calling cards may be purchased through Canteen.

Because of the programming restrictions placed on inmate phones, some long distance calling cards cannot be used at WCC. Please call the Centre for more information.

Correspondence / Mail

Inmates have the right to correspond with their families and friends, as well with public officials, the courts and their lawyers. WCC encourages inmates to maintain and develop family and community ties through written correspondence. All correspondence shall not be censured or read, excepting where there is a clear and persuading evidence to justify such actions as defined in policies and procedures. Inmate mail may be inspected to intercept cash, cheques, money orders, and contraband.

Inmates can send and receive an unlimited amount of mail, subject to the conditions listed below. Mail can be sent to an inmate c/o Whitehorse Correctional Centre, 25 College Drive, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 5B6.

Inmates are not allowed to correspond with anyone for whom they have a non-contact order issued by the court.

General Correspondence

Incoming general mail will be opened and inspected by a staff member for money, personal property or contraband. Money found will be deposited in the inmate's trust account. Contraband or personal property found will be confiscated and handled in accordance with policy. Incoming general mail is then resealed and delivered to the inmate.

Letters considered unfit for delivery will normally be returned to the sender. The original letter or copy may be retained by the Centre, depending on the circumstances, such as an illegal act, threat to security or life, or the introduction of contraband. In such cases, the sender shall be notified.

The Superintendent may authorize in writing a staff member to read correspondence when he or she believes on reasonable and probable grounds, that the correspondence:

  • contains plans for sending contraband in or out of the Centre;
  • contains plans for a criminal act; or
  • contains information, which, if communicated, would affect the security of the Centre or the safety of any individual.
    In all cases, the reasons for reading shall be recorded and the inmate notified.

Outgoing general mail must be inspected for money, personal property, and / or contraband. Outgoing general mail shall not be read unless there is reasonable grounds to suspect the inclusion of information as listed above. Information found to be contrary to the rules of the Centre will be censored and the inmate notified in writing of why his/her letter is being censored. Outgoing general mail shall be sealed before leaving the Centre and will normally be forwarded to the post office within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt.

Incoming packages from correspondence shall be handled in the same manner as general mail, with the exception of packages received during visiting.

Inmates may subscribe to and/or receive books, magazines, or other printed matter that does not jeopardize the security of the Centre, is legally available on the open market, and adheres to the limitations and licensing requirements of the Copyright Act.

Material that includes the following content shall not be permitted entry into the Centre:

  • detailed information on the fabrication of any weapons or commission of a criminal act;
  • advocates or promotes genocide or hatred of any identifiable group;
  • sexually oriented material involving violence, coercion, compulsion, force, bodily harm or other similar acts;
  • sexually oriented material involving children; or
  • advocates or promotes tattooing.

Privileged Correspondence

Incoming privileged mail shall be forwarded to the addressee unopened. The name and official status of the sender must appear on the envelope.

Privileged correspondence is mail between an inmate and any of the following:

  • lawyers;
  • Director, Community and Correctional Services;
  • Deputy Minister of Justice;
  • Members of Parliament (Federal);
  • Members of Legislative Assembly (Yukon);
  • Federal or Territorial Court Officials;
  • National Parole;
  • Canadian Human Rights Commissioner;
  • Governor General of Canada;
  • Commissioner of Official Languages;
  • Information Commissioner;
  • Privacy Commissioner;
  • Solicitor General of Canada;
  • Deputy Solicitor General of Canada;
  • Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada;
  • Correctional Investigator of Canada;
  • Consular Official;
  • Yukon Ombudsman; and/or
  • Yukon Review Board.

Complaint Process

How can an inmate lodge a complaint?

Any inmate may file a grievance by way of a request form or letter to the appropriate staff member who made the decision or settlement. Any grievance not resolved to the satisfaction of the inmate may be appealed to the next higher level of authority within WCC, then to an impartial Corrections Inspector, and ultimately to the Office of the Ombudsman.

"Corrections Inspector" means the person designated by the Minister of Justice to be a correctional institution inspector who may enter any correctional institution and have access to every part within the facility and every person confined therein to perform the functions defined in the Corrections Act.

Normally, Corrections Inspectors and the Ombudsman will not be involved in reviewing any matter in the Correctional Centre until the available complaint, grievance and/or appeal processes within the Correctional Centre have been exhausted.

Inmates also have the right to have legal assistance, through counsel or counsel substitute, with problems or proceedings relating to their custody, control, management, or legal affairs while undergoing confinement.

Case-specific Questions

How do I find out case-specific information such as admission dates, release dates, offense type, sentence length, or other specific questions?

Details about an offender's case can be made available to individuals in the community if there is a legitimate reason for the request. Any issues regarding the safety or security of an individual would form the basis for the release of information.

Please call the Centre to speak to the designated Case Manager.

What is the difference between the provincial correctional system and the federal correctional system?

When offenders receive a term of incarceration of two years or less, they serve their sentence in a provincial/ territorial correctional centre. Offenders who receive a sentence of two years or more serve their sentence in a federal penitentiary.

WCC is a territorial correctional centre. Offenders who are sentenced in the Yukon to more than two years, generally go to Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford, BC. Matsqui is a clearing house for the federal system where offenders are rated, oriented, and then referred to other BC penitentiaries where they will serve their sentence.

Offenders who receive a term of probation or a conditional sentence also fall under the jurisdiction of the territorial correctional system. All offenders who receive either day or full parole are the responsibility of the federal correctional system.