The Government of Saskatchewan must offer more guidance in terms of the mental health supports provided to correctional workers, according to the provincial auditor.

In the report released Tuesday, Provincial Auditor Tara Clemett wrote that although the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety has effective processes, clear guidance and proper analysis are needed in certain areas.

In the report released Tuesday, Provincial Auditor Tara Clemett wrote that although the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety has effective processes, certain areas are in need of clear guidance and proper analysis.

As of February 2025, the ministry employed about 1,400 correctional workers at its five-adult secure-custody facilities, including officers and managers who work shifts to operate the facilities 24/7.

At those facilities, which house adult inmates sentenced for a term of less than two years and inmates on remand, workers are exposed to high stress environments that include gang violence, aggressive behaviour, mental illness and possible infectious diseases.

The audit, which took place over an 18-month period ending June 30, 2025, assessed the ministry’s processes to support the mental health of correctional workers.

Over the course of the audit, ministry staff responsible for providing mental health supports were interviewed and a sample of incident files were tested. The audit also used an independent consultant with expertise in the subject to help identify good practices.

The audit found the ministry had appropriate resources available for correctional workers who may need mental health support. Thirteen injury reports filed by correctional workers were tested, with the audit finding that the ministry offered mental health resources where appropriate.

However, the findings from the audit determined the ministry needs to:

• Provide clear guidance on when it deploys its Critical Incident Stress Management Teams (CISM) teams to support workers experiencing mental health issues
• Consistently track, analyze, and report on CISM usage to assess effectiveness
• Establish clear expectations and plans for contacting workers on mental health leaves to better support the improvement of their mental health and returning to work
• Analyze performance measures, targets, and metal health injury data to assess effectiveness of mental health supports, and take action when needed
• Enhance staff surveys used to evaluate mental health supports, such as getting written comments from correctional workers

According to the report, correctional officers accumulated an average of 114 sick leave hours in 2024-25 compared to 104 hours in 2023-24.

In a 2024 survey, 35 per cent of correctional workers who participated agreed that there was adequate awareness and knowledge of psychological health issues.