In 2000, the Research Branch of the Correctional Service of Canada began the development of an Institutional Threat-Risk Assessment (ITRA) system, facilitating a systematic assessment of the stability and vulnerability of operational units. This prototype system was known as the Climate Indicators and Profiling System (CIPS). CIPS was seen as a threat-risk assessment tool that could assist operational managers through raising awareness of the social climate of their operational environment. CIPS was intended to have multiple domains (offenders, staff, and incidents). The CIPS prototype application consisted of two main components: climate indicators and population profiles. The CIPS application was developed using standard corporate-supported Internet software and programming tools, to facilitate the eventual integration of CIPS onto the corporate desktop. The prototype was distributed to maximum-security test sites in 2003 with field trials commencing shortly after. Field trials were extended to run through until March 2004. The results of the preliminary trial with the prototype CIPS application was to be reviewed in March 2004 followed by a recommended plan for further steps to be taken.