Commissioner's update for correctional employees: July 29, 2024
This content is a message to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff from CSC's Commissioner.
Our Mission: The Correctional Service of Canada, as part of the criminal justice system and respecting the rule of law, contributes to public safety by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control.
Over the last week, wildfires across the country but especially in Jasper, Alberta have been in the news. Our thoughts are with those who may have family and friends impacted by these events. Please continue to be supportive of each other as many colleagues may be dealing with these challenges or have family members in these impacted areas.
Reading about these events or watching footage in the news can be triggering. There are supports available to help you.
If you wish to speak to someone, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) referral agents are available to listen and help you find appropriate, helpful resources to support you.
Telus Health is also available not only to all employees, but also to eligible family members 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- EAP referral agents (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
- Employee Assistance Program / Telus Health (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
On Friday, Cowansville Institution hosted Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Minister Pascale St-Onge.
They had the opportunity to meet with our hard-working frontline staff and discuss the issues that they are facing everyday. They discussed the drone detection program and the work being done to address drones in our institutions.
Faces of CSC
Albe McClintic is a licensed practical nurse at the Edmonton Institution for Women. As a nurse, Albe listens to inmates and addresses their health concerns so they can feel comfortable and confident throughout their rehabilitation. Watch this video to learn more about the important work she does.
Thank you to everyone at Cowansville for being wonderful hosts to our guests and showing them the great work being done at CSC.
Emancipation Day
Minister LeBlanc Visits Cowansville
Thursday, August 1, is Emancipation Day, in recognition of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. I invite you all to join CSC’s virtual event commemorating the day on Wednesday, July 31, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Celebrate Emancipation Day 2024
While we celebrate the abolition of slavery, it is important to also take the time to reflect on its tragic history and legacy in Canada. I encourage everyone to learn more about the effects of slavery, as well as the tireless efforts of those who worked to bring it to an end.
New “Prisons Inside/Out” Episode: Preventing and Detecting Contraband
The seventh episode of our podcast, “Prisons Inside / Out,” is now available. Listen to the full episode at the link below:
Preventing and reducing the number of drugs, cellphones, and other unauthorized items in correctional institutions is a priority for the Correctional Service of Canada. This episode features two employees who help do just that. Listen to our conversation with Detector Dog Handler, Todd, and Security Intelligence Officer, Christian, to learn more about the work CSC does to help keep our prisons safe.
As a reminder, you can listen to all previous episodes of the “Prisons Inside / Out” podcast on our website here:
Singaporean Delegation
CSC was proud to welcome a delegation visit from the Republic of Singapore from July 18 to 24 in the Pacific Region. The delegation included senior executives from the Singapore Prison Service and the Minister of State for Home Affairs. CSC shared information on technology, health care, and offender population management. The Singapore Prison Service also gave a presentation about their Yellow Ribbon program, which trains inmates and helps them find jobs for when they are released. The delegation toured several institutions in the region.
I would like to thank all staff and management who were involved in the organization and implementation of this successful delegation visit. Your passion, expertise and enthusiasm toward CSC was very much appreciated by the delegates.
Finally, I want to offer my sincere thanks for the hard work all of you do every day.
“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.”