7(1)(e)

How the Public Access Counselor has treated 7(1)(e)

Section 7(1)(e) addresses records that relate to or affect the security of correctional institutions and detention facilities. In these matters it was invoked for jail surveillance and booking-area video and for portions of a mental health center policy that the public body described as sensitive security information.

The Public Access Counselor upheld withholding of jail video where review showed release would reveal camera coverage, blind spots, layout details, or otherwise compromise facility security. In one matter involving a death in custody, footage was withheld in part on this basis alongside another exemption. By contrast, the Counselor found improper the redaction of parts of the requested mental health center policy, concluding the exemption did not support those withholdings.

At a glance: 4 documents(0 binding opinions, 4 determination letters). Most often cited alongside: 7(1)(d)(iv) (Would disclose a confidential source or informant) (1).

Recurring issues

• Whether release of jail surveillance footage would reveal camera coverage, blind spots, or layout details that compromise jail security. (Jail surveillance video footage, Jail surveillance footage from a dayroom area, Surveillance footage of a jail booking area)
• Whether video of a jail booking area is covered because it would disclose security details about the facility. (Surveillance footage of a jail booking area)
• Whether portions of a mental health center policy contain sensitive security information justifying redaction. (Internal policies and incident reporting procedures for a mental health center)
• Whether a public body may provide only part of the requested video or policies while withholding other portions under this exemption. (Internal policies and incident reporting procedures for a mental health center, Jail surveillance video footage)

Practical points

• A public body withholding jail video under this exemption should be prepared to show how release would expose blind spots, layout, or other security details.
• A requester seeking jail surveillance or booking footage may still receive non-exempt portions where the public body releases video in part.
• Redactions to facility policies under this exemption were not sustained where the security connection was not established.

Summary drafted from the linked decisions and checked against them; read the decisions themselves before relying on it. Not legal advice.