What are the differences between ETAs and UTAs?
An ETA is a short temporary absence under direct escort. You leave the prison with either a security escort (CSC staff) or a citizen escort (volunteer from the community). A security escort will be made up of one to three members of CSC staff, at least one of whom must be a woman.²²⁹ The number of escorts you have is supposed to depend on your security classification. If you have a medium or maximum security classification, you will need a security escort of at least two CSC employees.²³⁰ CSC employees will determine the level of security you need based on an “objective assessment of risk” including:

• your security classification ,
• your mental and physical health,
• your behaviour,
• the purpose and destination of your ETA,
• your mode of travel,
• travel time, and
• security intelligence information.²³¹

UTAs are usually for somewhat longer periods and you are not required to be accompanied by CSC staff or citizen escorts authorized by the CSC to engage in this task. Usually (with the exception of medical TAs), UTAs must not be for more than five days, or not more than fifteen days if authorized by the Commissioner.²³²

Another major difference between ETAs and UTAs is that you will not be eligible for a UTA if you have a maximum security classification.²³³ You are also not eligible for UTAs if:

• A removal order was issued against you under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and you are not yet eligible for full parole.²³⁴
• You were sentenced to an indeterminate sentence before August 1, 1997
• You are serving a life or indeterminate sentence followed by a definite sentence²³⁵

What criteria need to be met for me to get a TA?
You may be able to obtain a TA if you do not pose an unmanageable risk to society of re-offending, your actions while in prison have not preclude an authorization, and where a structured plan for your absence has been prepared.²³⁶ What constitutes behaviour that may for a temporary absence is often arbitrarily defined and applied, as there is no set specification of such behaviour.

Who makes the decision?
The Commissioner or the warden will still have the authority to grant a TA if you do not meet any of these criteria,²³⁷ whereas in some circumstances, it is the NPB that makes the decision to grant TAs.