Commissioner's update for correctional employees: October 7, 2024

October 6 to 12 is Mental Illness Awareness Week. This week provides us with an opportunity to address misconceptions about mental illness and improve our understanding of mental health. October 10 is also World Mental Health Day.

Over the past year we have taken many steps to better support the mental health of our employees, including the appointment of CSC’s Ombuds for Workplace Well-being. We have been working to make more options available to better support you and your mental health and put discussions around this at the forefront.

Please consult the resources available to you on the Hub

I encourage you to take time to engage in open and honest conversations about mental health. Together, we can remove the stigma around it.

Employee Assistance Program

This week also marks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Critical Incident Stress Management Program (CISM) Day. We are celebrating EAP Week as well.

I want to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our 862 EAP-CISM trained volunteers. Every day, our volunteers dedicate their time to help staff across the country with challenges. Your strength, compassion and understanding have not gone unnoticed.

Even when facing your own personal challenges, you respond with empathy and great care. We are grateful for all the work you do to help staff in need.

I would like to remind everyone that our EAP referral agents are here to listen, support and help you find resources. Our CISM peers are here in cases of critical incidents and psychological trauma. Once again, thank you.

Women’s History Month

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This year’s theme for Women’s History Month is Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present, and Future.

This theme highlights the significant contributions women have made to the workforce throughout history, and the critical role they continue to play in driving economic innovation and progress.

I would like to share some fun facts about women in corrections. Each week, we’ll embark on a journey through time and dive into the history that forged women’s corrections at CSC.

Let’s go back in time to 1885. Did you know that incarcerated women were historically imprisoned alongside (although separated from) men? This practice officially ended in 1913 when a separate building for women was constructed inside the walls of Kingston Penitentiary. In 1934, the Prison for Women was officially opened. Another big change came in 1990 when the Creating Choices report was released, introducing groundbreaking philosophies and principles that had an immediate impact on our work with federally incarcerated women. To this day it continues to guide our work.

Read the Creating Choices report.

International Ombuds Day

Thursday, we will be celebrating International Ombuds Day. This is a time to highlight the creation of the Office of the Ombuds for Workplace Well-being at CSC in January 2023.

I encourage you to take part in the activities organized by the Office of the Ombuds’ team and to complete the quiz to test your knowledge. Details on the Hub.

Last week, an invitation for virtual information sessions was sent to you. It is an opportunity to discover the services and resources that are available to you.

Tsow Tun Le Lum Grand Re-Opening

I am pleased to highlight the successful grand re-opening of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum treatment center at its new facility in Duncan, B.C. CSC staff were on hand to help celebrate the reopening on September 13, 2024, and it marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide holistic and culturally relevant support for individuals facing addiction and trauma. Tsow-Tun Le Lum, which means “Helping House” in the Hul’q’umi’num’ language, is a fully accredited, registered, non-profit treatment society offering supports for people, not only in addictions, but also for survivors of trauma.

My thanks to each of you for the work you do every day – your service and dedication are valued and appreciated.