Commissioner's update for correctional employees: August 12, 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.
We continue to think of our colleagues who are affected by the extreme weather across the country, particularly the wildfires, flooding, and landslides in British Columbia. Please continue to keep your colleagues in your thoughts as they may have family or friends impacted by these events.
New National Ceremonial Guard Commander
I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Alan MacDonald as CSC's third National Ceremonial Guard Commander. Alan, a correctional officer (CX2) at Collins Bay Institution, was highly recommended for the position. He has been a member of the Guard of Honour since 2004. A ceremonial handover of command will take place the morning of the Canadian Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Service in Ottawa on September 29, 2024.
I would like to thank Trent Kane for his leadership and dedication to CSC’s ceremonial unit over the past four years. Please join me in wishing congratulations to Alan.
CSC’s Ceremonial Unit along with members of the executive cadre and the New York State Corrections’ Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Band.
Revised CD 566-15 – Closed Circuit Television Systems
Revised Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 566-15 – Closed Circuit Television Systems is now in effect. Revisions and clarifications were made to the policy as part of the regular three-year review process, as well as to address recommendations from Board of Investigation reports. This policy affects all CSC employees responsible for supervising inmates within institutions, including Community Correctional Centres.
You can find more details about the changes here in the related Policy Bulletin:
- Policy Bulletin 715 (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
- Commissioner's Directive (CD) 566-15: Closed Circuit Television Systems (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
Our Impressive Detector Dog Program
Recently, we featured a Prison’s Inside/Out podcast and a Let’s Talk article about CSC’s Detector Dog Program. This important program, which started in 2001 to assist searches for drugs, contraband, and firearms, has now grown to search for electronic devices, such as cell phones, USB sticks, SD cards, and other items used to store information. The dogs are responsible for approximately 29% of drug seizures.
Detector dog handler Todd and his dog Java explore a warehouse at Archambault Institution.
The nearly 90 detector dog teams are at many institutions. They are considered a nonintrusive search tool and can quickly search a cell, room, or an area, faster than a person can.
I encourage you to find out more about the impressive work your colleagues and their K9s are doing
- Read the Detector Dogs: Every day is bring your dog to work day
- Listen to Episode 7: Preventing and detecting contraband
We also recently updated the web site with a new page: Detector Dog Program - Canada.ca
Faces of CSC
Tony Walby is the information Technology Technical Advisor for the Application Configuration and Accessibility Team at National Headquarters in Ottawa. Tony is a Paralympian. He competed in two paralympic Games as a member of the visually impaired judo team.
Read more about Tony's work and his martial arts successes in Faces of CSC: Tony Walby
National Acadian Day
On August 15, the Acadian people celebrate National Acadian Day. In the 1600s, French pioneers settled in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick naming the country Acadia. They have celebrated their rich culture, heritage, and history since 1881.
In 2003, the Government of Canada passed the National Acadian Day Act. This gives people across the country an opportunity to celebrate Acadians’ cultural, linguistic, and artistic contributions to Canadian communities.
I realize that throughout the summer many of you cover your colleagues on vacation. Your hard work does not go unnoticed and is much appreciated.
Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.
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