Peggy Joiner: Championing change and empowerment in Canadian corrections 

July 12, 2024

“CSC (Correctional Service Canada) has many programs that help people both inside and outside its facilities,” she says. “No one can change unless they want to—but if they do, CSC needs to be there for them with the tools that work.”

Peggy’s career in corrections began in 1980 when she graduated from the University of Ottawa with a master’s degree in criminology and went on to work for CSC as a project officer, a probation officer for the Alberta government and the manager of a youth facility in Nova Scotia. Her involvement with CACs spans over two decades, beginning in the early 2000s when she first joined as a committee member.

By acting as a bridge between CSC and the community, CAC members like Peggy help educate the public, address concerns and build support-all as a volunteer.

As impartial observers of CSC's day-to-day operations, they get insight into the care, supervision, and services provided to offenders, while being able to give advice on policies and programs.

The idea of CACs, as a way for citizens to be involved in the correctional process, first took hold in the 1960s in small towns that had institutions nearby. Today, CACs have become an integral part of the federal correctional system. Every institution and parole office in Canada is required to have a CAC to observe, liaise, and advise with CSC.

Typical advisory member duties might include engaging with offenders, CSC staff, or the community. Members can even observe an internal disciplinary hearing, for example, or connect employers with offenders looking for work.

“Our function is to be the eyes and ears of the public and bring community perspectives on what’s working and also what’s not working so well. While CSC is under no obligation to heed our advice, we can make important changes,” says Peggy. She notes previous successes, such as assisting in streamlining the process for inmates to receive mail during COVID-19, or in supporting efforts to have correctional officers from male-centered institutions receive training on working in female-centered corrections.

She also emphasizes the importance of CSC staff in the reintegration process, as well as offenders and the public. “They are all equal partners in successful reintegration,” she says.

Over the years, Peggy has worked at all three levels of the CAC governance structure, serving on the Nova Institution CAC for 15 years, as the Atlantic Regional CAC Chair from 2014 to 2020 and as the National Chair from 2020 to 2022. Currently, she is leading efforts to restart the Nova Scotia Community CAC that covers Jamieson Community Correctional Centre and the local parole offices.

“Peggy leaves a cloud of enthusiasm over all she touches,” says Donna Gardiner, Chair of the CAC in Newfoundland. “She was my go-to person over the years; I trusted her knowledge and comments. There is no other CAC volunteer I can think of more worthy of this recognition than Peggy Joiner.”

Throughout her tenure, Peggy spearheaded initiatives to strengthen collaboration between CAC and CSC. She played a pivotal role in modernizing the CAC Constitution, revitalizing committees with dwindling membership and ensuring existing members had the necessary resources to fulfill their mandate effectively. Her leadership culminated in the development of a strategic plan for CAC from 2020 to 2025, laying the groundwork for future initiatives while prioritizing inclusivity and equity.

In addition to her role with CAC, Peggy is also a faculty member at the Nova Scotia Community College School of Health and Social Services. With more than 25 years of experience teaching in the criminal justice program, she imparts invaluable knowledge on soft skills, ethics, and criminal behavior to aspiring professionals.

“Seeing my students succeeding and coming back to teach is one of my proudest moments,” she says. “Now three out of four regular teachers in the program are graduates themselves.”

Beyond her professional endeavors, Peggy has always been deeply committed to empowering vulnerable and traditionally marginalized communities within the justice system. Her advocacy extends to addressing systemic issues such as overrepresentation of women, Indigenous peoples, and Black individuals in correctional facilities.

“Peggy is first and foremost an educator. Her knowledge about the prison system in Canada is profound, and as a result she has been a wonderful resource to new members of the CAC,” says Brian Matthews, Chair of the Nova Institution for Women CAC.

“We have all learned from her inmate-focused approach. She is always accessible to answer questions we might have, even after moving on to the leadership of another CAC.”

Ultimately, Peggy works to bring hope to individuals impacted by the justice system and inspires future generations to strive for a more equitable and compassionate society.