Commissioner's update for offenders and their families: August 25, 2023

Environmental emergencies like smoke and wildfires continue to impact Canadians from coast to coast. CSC is monitoring this closely to ensure the safety of all employees and inmates. We are aware that some of you may have family and friends in an impacted area and encourage you to reach out to them.

CSC supports recovery in our institutions through our partnership with Narcotics Anonymous (NA). If you are looking for help to overcome substance abuse and drug addiction, or simply want to learn more about NA, please speak to your social programs officer or your case management team. They are here to guide you on how to access these important community supports.

This week marks the anniversary of an iconic CSC building. In 1871, construction started on a warden’s house across the street from the Kingston Penitentiary. Inmate work teams built the entire house, undertaking tasks that ranged from:

• digging the cellar
• cutting blocks from a nearby limestone quarry
• plastering the walls, and 
• finishing the interior

of the stately, three-story house. We don’t know the names of the men who worked on the house; however, one carved his name into the back of a door frame he built.

The warden and his six children moved in on August 28, 1873 - 150 years ago. Eight wardens lived in the house known as Cedarhedge. Today, it is home to Canada’s Penitentiary Museum, featuring hundreds of artifacts from CSC institutions. The house itself is an interesting piece of CSC history, worthy of a 150th birthday celebration.

Starting in September, the weekly messages will be shared on Mondays. The next weekly letter from the Commissioner will be after Labour Day on Tuesday, Sept. 5.