Commissioner's update for offenders and their families: August 18, 2023

This has been an extraordinary summer of extreme weather across the country. We continue to hear about:

• heat
• drought
• smoke
• floods, and 
• wildfires

The latest news with Yellowknife and Kelowna being evacuated because of wildfires is heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with those in those areas who have had to leave their homes and are going through this terrifying ordeal. Their safety is of paramount importance and CSC will provide what support we can. If you have family in these areas, please check in with them if you can.

We have recently seen serious incidents involving drugs laced with other toxic substances. These can be extremely dangerous and can lead to tragic consequences. Your health and safety are a priority and we ask that you please be careful. We have a range of health services available to you to help with problematic substance use as well as substance use programming. Speak to your parole officer or health care professional for more information on what’s available at your institution.

I wanted to share a positive project that offenders at Collins Bay Institution Minimum were involved in. Staff took a group to help clean up the property around the Kingston Youth Shelter’s new location. The lot was overgrown with:

• weeds
• bushes, and 
• garbage

which violated city by-laws and was difficult for staff to supervise. In a few hours, they cut down:

• overgrown bushes
• pulled weeds, and 
• collected several bags of garbage

The result was a:

• cleaner
• safer, and
• more welcoming environment

The Kingston Youth Shelter staff was grateful for the help. Thank you to those who were involved. I heard you were:

• respectful
• hard working, and 
• engaged

This is a good example of:

• teamwork
• collaboration, and 
• supporting our community partners

To support transformation within the Structured Intervention Units (SIUs), we recently sent a poster to all institutions that have an SIU. The poster, Structured Intervention Units—Opportunities for Interaction, highlights and reminds inmates of the valuable community interactions and support systems available. Please know that is important that you take advantage of opportunities to interact with others. There are a range of services and community partners available to you. Take advantage of their support.