Commissioner's update for offenders and their families:
January 22, 2024

Wednesday, January 24, highlights the sixth International Day of Education. This day celebrates the importance of education for all. Continuing or building on your education can lead to better employment opportunities upon your release and help you succeed in the community. I encourage you to engage with your Parole Officer to learn more about the CSC education programs available to you. I encourage everyone to take ownership of their learning and education – it will open doors for you and broaden your perspective.

Family Literacy Day, on January 27, is a time to reflect on the importance of building connections through reading. In most institutions, the Canadian Families and Corrections Network offers you letter writing kits to stay connected with your loved ones. The network and the Children of Inmates Reading Program (ChIRP), run by Book Club for Inmates, also gives you the opportunity to record yourself reading a book to your child. The recording can then be sent to your family. The families who participate have great things to say about the program.

If you want to learn more about these initiatives, you can ask staff for more information on how you can get access. Your family can also contact the Canadian Families and Corrections Network to request child-friendly kits and more resources on strengthening a child-parenting bond during your incarceration.

January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is a time where Canadians and people around the globe come together to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. It is a day to reflect on the devastating impacts of discrimination against the Jewish community. Let us reaffirm our commitment to stand against anti-Semitism, racism, and any form of discrimination.

CSC’s Volunteer Appreciation Gallery is closing next week. The gallery will be featured on CSC’s website in April 2024 during National Volunteer Week. I encourage you to get creative and submit your art or poetry. This is a great way to express your gratitude to the community supports that have been important to you during your rehabilitation journey. Your contributions are a powerful way to say thanks and showcase your talent and creativity.

You can talk to your social program officer or other staff for more information. A reminder that the deadline for submissions is January 31, 2024. I look forward to seeing your contributions.