Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada Announces his Retirement After 40 Years of Service

Today, the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada issued the following statement to employees:

“Last year, I advised the Clerk of the Privy Council that I would be retiring from the federal public service prior to the end of 2017-18 fiscal year. On Monday, October 30, 2017, I officially submitted my letter of intent to retire effective February 3, 2018.  I started my Federal Public Service career as a Correctional Officer at the medium security William Head Institution, in the Canadian Penitentiary Service, which was part of the Department of the Solicitor General, on February 1, 1978.  My career has taken me across our great country and around the world and I have had the opportunity to see and hear how other jurisdictions continue to view CSC as a world leader in corrections. 

Over the course of my 40 years in correctional services, I have worked with tens of thousands of dedicated women and men from coast to coast to coast, who have given their best to assist those that have come into conflict with the law and to ultimately contribute the best way they can to the overall public safety of Canadians. I will miss your spirit, energy, commitment and dedication. 

It has been a privilege and an honour to not only work with such a professional group of individuals but also to have had the opportunity to lead the Correctional Service of Canada for the last 10 years as the Commissioner. Your ongoing commitment to "Changing Lives, Protecting Canadians" has made me proud to be a part of CSC.

As I get ready to transition to the next phase of my life, and to dedicate my time and energy to my wife, I offer you these three simple pieces of advice: take care of those we have a legal responsibility for; take care of each other; and take care of yourselves. We are, and will always be, a people centred organization. 

Over the course of the coming months the Privy Council Office will initiate a selection process to determine who to recommend to the Prime Minister as the next Commissioner of Corrections for the Correctional Service of Canada. Until that time I will continue to fulfil my duties and obligations and ensure we are advancing our agenda in accordance with our plans and priorities.     

I wish all staff the very best in the coming years and thank them for their service, dedication, commitment and professionalism.” 

Don Head
Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Biography

• Mr. Head began his federal public service career as a correctional officer in 1978 in the Pacific Region.

• In 1995, he joined the Yukon Justice Department as Superintendent of the Whitehorse Correctional Centre.

• In 1998, he moved to the Saskatchewan Provincial Department of Corrections and Public Safety.

• In 2002, Mr. Head rejoined CSC as the Senior Deputy Commissioner. He was appointed Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada in 2008.

• Mr. Head has received numerous commendations and awards throughout his career including the Governor General's Corrections Exemplary Service Medal and Bar, and the Public Service Award of Excellence for Diversity and Employment Equity.