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Integrated Forensic Program

Secure Treatment Unit - Admissions

The Secure Treatment Unit (STU) of the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre/Brockville Jail is a 100-bed Schedule 1 Facility within a correctional complex for male offenders identified with a serious mental illness (SMI) serving provincial sentences in Ontario.

The Referral Process
Offenders are not automatically admitted to the STU on initial classification.  Instead, a formal referral to the STU is required.

The Classification staff of the referring institution is required to submit a referral package that includes a referral form to the Deputy Superintendent of Treatment at the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional & Treatment Centre.  The package includes:

  • A pre-sentence report (if available);
  • Updated LSI-OR (electronic versions only);
  • Other documents supporting the placement in the STU.

Clinical consultation is not required, but is encouraged.  The STU Admissions & Discharge Committee will conduct an assessment to determine the offender's suitability for the Unit. 

The Committee will then provide timely responses to referrals and the Deputy Superintendent of Treatment will advise the referring institution in writing (transmitted by fax) of the decision.  If approved, the referring institution advises the offender and contacts the respective Regional Transfer Office to coordinate transportation to the STU.

Admission Criteria
To be admitted to the STU, an offender must meet the following criteria:

  • Suspected of having a major mental illness that requires assessment and treatment;
  • Considered 'needy' and 'vulnerable' and unable to function in a correctional institution (offenders who are typically accommodated in segregation, protective custody or special needs units and require a single room in a more therapeutic environment);
  • Have a history of psychiatric issues and suicide ideation/attempts;
  • Be diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and require assessment and treatment;
  • Current or past offences that are sexual in nature, but not suitable for classification placement at the Ontario Correctional Institute (that is, cannot function in a dormitory setting, the sentence is too short, or there is a history of serious institutional misconduct or behavior problems).

STU residents receive a comprehensive psychiatric, medical, psychological and risk assessment, which will determine their treatment needs and outline an individual treatment plan. 

The Focus of the STU
The STU aims to:

  1. provide appropriate comprehensive specialized psychiatric assessment and treatment services with the objective of improving reintegration into the community upon release;
  2. reduce re-offending rates and/or further admissions to mental health facilities; and
  3. aid in the development of mental health treatment 'best practices' through research and academia to advance improvements and services for the special needs offender.

Partnerships in Forensic Medicine
The Forensic Corporate Division of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group (ROHCG) contracted with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) to provide mental health services, while MCSCS is responsible for safety and security of the residents and operates in accordance with the Ministry of Correctional Services Act. 

This interaction results in a collaborative partnership, which incorporates expertise and strengths from corrections and health within a safe and secure environment.