Ministry of Justice
Investigation and Standards Office
Balancing Rights and Fairness
The Investigation and Standards Office (ISO) undertakes investigations at the request of the minister or the director of ISO on matters involving the administration of the Correction Act. The office, established in 1974, is an independent body of the Ministry of Justice.
ISO is the only provincial, independent public body dedicated to these types of investigations in Canada.
Responsibilities
ISO is responsible for:
- investigating complaints made by inmates, probationers or prisoners;
- reviewing inmate disciplinary appeals;
- inspecting facilities and processes used by court services;
- participating in critical incident reviews conducted by corrections branch or as determined by the director; and
- making recommendations based on findings.
Our mandate does not include:
- conducting criminal investigations;
- investigating complaints regarding police;
- investigating complaints about federal corrections;
- investigating human rights or canadian charter of rights issues;
- authority to review National Parole Board decisions; or
- making recommendations on personnel disciplinary matters.
How We Operate
The director of ISO leads a team of inspectors and reports to the deputy ministers of Ministry of Justice.
The team consists of a director, deputy director, six inspectors and three administration staff. The main office is in Victoria, with a satellite office in Vancouver.
Inspectors support complaints resolution, disciplinary review and critical incident reviews for the corrections and court services branches. Inmate disciplinary reviews and critical incident reviews are priority issues. ISO has established internal service standards to ensure timely intervention.
Information for Inmates and Prisoners
- Speak with the correctional officer in your unit. Most complaints are resolved by speaking with this person.
- If you are unable to resolve your concern with the correctional officer in your unit, ask any staff member for a complaint form.
- Give your completed complaint form to a staff member, who will deliver it to the right person. You may keep a copy of your complaint.
- If you do not receive a response within seven days or you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you may phone toll free or write to:
Investigation and Standards Office
PO Box 9279
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9J7
Contact Us
Phone: 250 387-5948
Fax: 250 356-9875
Mailing Address:
Investigation and Standards Office
PO Box 9279
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9J7
Service B.C. Contact Centre:
In Victoria: 387-6121
In Vancouver: 604 660-2421
Elsewhere in B.C.: 1 800 663-7867
Outside B.C.: 604 660-2421
