Mateo was moved from his living unit to segregation as a result of a fight he was involved in at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre (SPSC). Correctional officers packed and recorded the items in Mateo’s cell before moving them to storage in segregation. However, when Mateo was released from segregation, he discovered that many of his items were missing. Mateo complained to SPSC but was told that his missing items had not been recorded when his cell was packed. As such, SPSC said it would not compensate him for belongings he said were missing because there was no evidence they were in his cell when it was packed and recorded.

Frustrated, Mateo reached out to us for assistance.

We investigated Mateo’s concerns and reviewed SPSC’s procedure. Based on our review, it appeared SPSC had complied with the procedure as it was written at the time. However, the procedure did not address concerns identified by our investigation of Mateo’s complaint.

In response, SPSC updated its procedure on its own initiative. First, it directed its staff to ensure cell items are only stored in one storage area throughout the duration of an inmate’s stay in segregation. Second, it directed its staff to ensure an inmate verifies their item record as soon as possible after being moved. We later requested SPSC direct its staff to check an inmate’s bedding for items, a possible factor in Mateo’s case, which it agreed to do.

Given SPSC’s previous procedure had not addressed concerns identified by our investigation, we asked SPSC to reassess whether it would compensate Mateo for his missing items. SPSC agreed and ultimately reimbursed him $84.