Ethnocultural advisory committees

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has a National Ethnocultural Advisory Committee (NEAC) as well as regional ethnocultural advisory committees (REAC). They advise the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) on the delivery of programs and services that contribute to ethnocultural offender reintegration and enhance public safety.

CSC policy states that the organization must identify and meet the specific needs and cultural interests of ethnocultural offenders. CSC must provide effective services and interventions that will help ethnocultural offenders reintegrate successfully and enhance public safety. This includes making sure that NEAC and REAC are in place and supported.

Celebrating 20 years of NEAC presents the NEAC's contribution since 2001.

NEAC is composed of the chair and vice-chair of each REAC.

NEAC members work at the national level and provide advice to the commissioner.

REACs are composed of influential members of the community who come from ethnocultural backgrounds or have experience working in the area of multiculturalism. They provide advice to the regional deputy commissioner in their region.

Contact your Regional Project Officer, Citizen Engagement and Ethnocultural Services if you're interested in being part of an ethnocultural advisory committee in your region:

An ethnocultural offender is any offender who:

• has specific needs based on:
  • race
  • ethnicity
  • culture, or
  • language, and
• wants to preserve their cultural identity and practices

Ethnocultural advisory committees:

• advise CSC about programs, services and interventions designed to meet the needs of ethnocultural offenders
• share their expertise with CSC staff, volunteers and the community and help them learn about the needs and cultural interests of ethnocultural offenders
• support projects that help close gaps in services and interventions for ethnocultural offenders
• build and maintain relationships with ethnocultural communities and with community organizations that help ethnocultural offenders to reintegrate safely
• help CSC to raise awareness and train staff on issues related to ethnocultural services, like employment equity and discrimination in the workplace

Ethnocultural advisory committees:

• work with CSC to maintain strong policies that enhance the interventions and services offered to ethnocultural offenders
• work with CSC staff to create pilot projects that help offenders get jobs
• donate children's items collected from ethnic minority communities for use by children visiting family members in federal institutions
• work with local employers to create employment opportunities for ethnocultural offenders
• help publish and distribute information for:
  • ethnocultural offenders
  • their families, and
  • communities

Ethnocultural and social development services

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