The Correctional Investigator may commence an investigation on behalf of (blank).

• A. A correctional officer
• B. a victim
• C. an offender
• D. the institution

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is that the Correctional Investigator’s power to start an investigation is tied to addressing the rights and treatment of people who are in correctional care. The Investigator acts to protect offenders by examining complaints they raise about how correctional services are delivered. When an offender identifies a concern—about conditions, programs, or rights—the Investigator can commence an investigation to determine whether policies or laws were violated and to seek remedies. That’s why the correct focus is on an offender: they are the primary party whose complaints the Investigator is designed to pursue and represent in oversight of the system. The other options don’t fit this role because staff or the institution itself aren’t the typical primary complainants that trigger investigations on behalf of someone, and while victims can be involved in oversight processes, the established authority to begin such investigations is grounded in addressing the concerns of those in custody.