CORCAN Products and services

CORCAN is legislated to provide offenders with a work environment that strives to mimic private sector standards with respect to productivity and quality while recognizing institutional setting and training imperatives. It is reflected in the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations. This results in a realistic work experience, which is deemed to be a more effective rehabilitative experience.

CORCAN has 103 shops in 36 of the 53 federal institutions, many of which were ISO-Certified (International Organization for Standardization). As of December 19, 2024, CORCAN has chosen not to continue ISO 9001 certification. We continue to maintain our established Quality Management System which includes internal audits. CORCAN is committed to an innovative approach based on ongoing improvements within the organisation. By adopting Kaizen principles CORCAN expects to see improvements from this new system, such as: 

• enhanced employee engagement
• improved overall quality
• reduction of waste (such as; time, material, costs) and
• increased creativity.

CORCAN has 5 main business lines as well as some Indigenous crafted products:

• Manufacturing
• Textiles
• Services
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Indigenous products

Manufacturing

Most of CORCAN's manufacturing shops successfully generate high volumes of quality-manufactured goods while providing offenders with meaningful employment opportunities and training. They have the capabilities to design and fabricate a wide range of custom products, and the computer numerical control (CNC) machining allows for precision-cut and shaping with accuracy for any project. The use of commercial powder coat paint lines allow for high quality finishing and surface treatments to enhance the appearance durability of the metal products. They manufacture a wide range of standard products, such as:

• workstations and systems furniture (for example cubicle paneling systems)
• ergonomic office seating and accessories (for example electrical sit-stand desks)
• dormitory furniture (for example, beds, headboards)
• reception furniture
• metal shelving, and other metal storage solutions (for example under desk pedestals)
• metal or melamine lockers with choice of electronic or manual locks
• custom wood and metal products (for example tech/IT tables, targets, custom prototypes, and epoxy pour wooden coffee and end tables)
• upholstered furniture (for example sofas and tub chairs)

CORCAN can also provide custom solutions to suit the specialized needs or preferences of our clients. The National Engineering and Technical Support Center (NETSC) uses the latest AutoCAD and related design software to react quickly to any requirement, providing drawings and three dimensional renditions for clients. CORCAN also provides clients with floor plan layouts and other design, drawing, or architectural services. For more information on additional internal services such as the NETSC and National Warehouse and Distribution Centre, visit the About CORCAN page.

Textiles

CORCAN's textile operations use private sector standards and methods. They produce a wide range of high quality textile products in well-equipped, quality shops. CORCAN provides offenders with opportunities to develop skills in all aspects of tailoring and garment creation. Offenders also learn skills covering a range of complexity, through the production of various items like:

Most textile products are flame resistant (FR) rated.

In addition to these standard products, CORCAN's textile operations can custom design and deliver products that meet specific client needs.

Services

CORCAN's services line covers a wide variety of on-the-job training activities including:

• laundry services
• decommissioning and recycling of automotive parts
• refurbishing military vehicles
• eyewear
• electronics assembly and testing
• printing (including forms and file folders)
• warehousing
• laser engraving
• vinyl signage
• silk-screened clothing
• tote bags

Printing

CORCAN's printing shop prides itself in the quality and care provided with its printing service, and is able to provide many government departments with any forms or folders needed. Examples of larger projects the print shop prides itself on are RCMP and CBSA targets. Other items such as correctional forms, confidential, protected, secret, and top secret file folders, notebooks and notepads, are also offered. Reach out to your regional sales representative for more information.

Construction

CORCAN construction is the all-in-one solution! Whether it’s constructing homes, commercial buildings, modular construction, or providing comprehensive general construction services, CORCAN brings custom designs to life. The CORCAN team works closely with clients every step of the way, ensuring a seamless, collaborative experience from concept to completion.

CORCAN's Community Industry (CI) program empowers intermediate-level participants with hands-on experience in general construction. Projects can be uniquely designed, giving CORCAN's expert instructors the opportunity to guide participants step by step through the process. This personalized approach not only ensures projects exceed standard codes but also equips participants with the skills to master real-world construction techniques.

Construction projects and techniques utilized include:

Agriculture

In 2018, the Government of Canada announced the reopening of the penitentiary farms at Joyceville Institution and Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ontario. This was a new beginning for the penitentiary farm program. It incorporates a variety of agriculture activities that represent a broad scope of the Canadian agriculture sector. The program offers meaningful opportunities that support offenders in their rehabilitation and reintegration.

Offenders may participate in a variety of activities at the two sites, or via micro-incubators or initiatives at other locations including:

• maintenance, building and renovating the necessary infrastructure
• livestock operations, including calving along with raising and managing the required complement of dairy animals 
• soil management, crop production, and other land-based initiatives
• research activities with partners such as McGill University and Agriculture Canada for various agricultural initiatives in an effort to improve industry practices
• agricultural equipment training and use, as well as required maintenance and repair
• environmental activities, including green zone and forestry maintenance
• apprenticeship training opportunities as a sponsor site under the Skilled Trades of Ontario
• horticulture
• honeybee keeping
• maple syrup production
• apple orchard maintenance

Indigenous crafted products

The sewing and leather program was established in 2008. Its goal is to teach low-cost hands-on business practices that can help set up a source of income that can be completed by offenders from their homes upon release. This program focuses on participants who are Indigenous or follow an Indigenous way of life. The shop has grown quite a lot since its creation in 2008, and teaches many different skills from had sewing to using leather tools and textile equipment.

Offenders may participate in a variety of activities, learning and practicing traditional techniques and art from their culture. The products that emerge can be:

To read more about the Warkworth product shop, you can find a CORCAN story about them on the Correctional Service Let's Talk page.

For any inquiries into purchasing some specialty products from this program, please send an email to:

GEN-CORCAN-SALES@csc-scc.gc.ca