COVID-19 update for correctional employees: April 1, 2022

This content is a message to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff from CSC's Commissioner.

We continue to see public health measures being lifted in many of our communities across the country but we are not out of the woods just yet. You may have heard on the news that we are now in a sixth wave. Public health experts continue to monitor wastewater as it serves as an early indicator of COVID-19 infections in our communities. You can find information on active cases of COVID-19 in our institutions on our website.

• Testing of inmates in federal correctional institutions for COVID-19

Please keep up the good work in adhering to our health and safety measures and staying home when feeling ill. We know that masks are an effective layer of protection and we will continue wearing them for the time being in all of our workplaces.

We have started opening up institutions to visits and other activities, as it is safe to do so. The status of visits in each institution is publicly available on our website.

• Visiting status of federal correctional institutions

Citizen Advisory Committees

Many citizens volunteer their time and energy to:

• observe,
• liaise, and
• advise

within our institutions and parole offices through Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC). As independent and impartial advisors, CACs help us build trust and accountability with the public and provide reassurance to offenders that the public cares. The heart and soul of CACs are in the local committees, and they would not be able to meet their mandate without the support of dedicated CSC staff and officials. 

Today, on April 1, the national chairperson of the Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC) will transfer from Atlantic Region to Quebec Region, as the position rotates every two years from one region to the next. A special thank you to Peggy Joiner, outgoing chairperson, for her dedication and commitment to CACs. Peggy has been involved with CACs in the Atlantic Region for over 20 years. She also served on our COVID-19 advisory committee as we made decisions related to the Integrated Risk Management Framework. We are pleased to welcome Ingrid Schmidt, from Quebec, as our incoming chairperson. We look forward to continuing the important work of CACs under Ingrid’s leadership. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all CAC members for their ongoing commitment and hard work. I encourage you all to read their 2020-2021 activities report for more information. 

• CAC Annual Report for 2020–2021

CORCAN celebrates 30^th anniversary as a Special Operating Agency

On this day, 30 years ago, CORCAN became a Special Operating Agency (SOA) within CSC. Although it existed many years before, April 1, 1992 marked an important milestone that allowed CORCAN to provide industry-relevant and real world training to offenders. As a SOA, CORCAN contributes to offenders gaining valuable skills, including:

• technical,
• transferable, and
• essentials skills,

which help them find and maintain employment in the community. CORCAN’s work contributes greatly to offenders’ safe and successful reintegration into the community. I am very proud of the work CORCAN staff do and the countless partnerships that they have built over the years and look forward to many more successes in the future!

Thank you to all of the staff who continue to work with offenders through CORCAN. 

April is Sikh Heritage Month

Did you know that Canada has the second largest Sikh population in the world? And that in 2019, Canada became the first country to officially recognize April as Sikh Heritage Month? Sikh Canadians continue to make significant:

• social,
• economic,
• political, and
• cultural contributions

to communities across the country, which is helping to build a more inclusive Canada. Take the opportunity this month to learn more about and to celebrate Sikh history and culture. 

Ramadan begins saturday

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts on the evening of Saturday, April 2, and will end on Sunday, May 1, at sundown. During Ramadan, Muslims fast, abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours as a means of celebrating and reflecting on their faith. Ramadan is a time not only of religious observance but a time of joy, spent with family, and charitable giving to those in need. ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ to all of you who are observing Ramadan this April.

Thank you for your ongoing hard work, dedication and commitment.