Citizens' Advisory Committees

Working Together
Citizens’ Advisory Committees
to the Correctional Service of Canada

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As part of the criminal justice system, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is the federal agency responsible for the administration of the sentences, the management of correctional facilities and the supervision of offenders serving sentences of two or more years. Because all offenders come from the community, and most will eventually return there, their successful reintegration requires community acceptance and support. This has resulted in an organized means for citizens to become involved in the correctional system. Citizens’ Advisory Committees (CACs).

Since their initial inception in 1965, and subsequent recognition through the Parliamentary Sub-Committee Report on Federal Penitentiaries (1977), these committees have helped to inform communities about the correctional process and to contribute to the overall development of correctional facilities and programs. There are close to 600 citizens who are now active in the Citizens' Advisory Committee program, with more than 100 CACs across Canada. Currently, almost all of the federal institutions and district parole offices have a Citizens' Advisory Committee.

To promote public knowledge and understanding of corrections through communication among offenders, CSC staff and the public;

To contribute to the overall development of correctional facilities and programs;

To foster public participation in the correctional process;

To participate in developing community resources designed to support correctional programs;

To act as impartial observers; and

To positively contribute in the development and implementation of new policies and programs through meaningful consultation.

With a keen interest in positively contributing to the correctional process, Citizens' Advisory Committees provide a means for the community to represent and express itself in the core work of the Correctional Service of Canada.

Through their voluntary participation in the Canadian correctional process, which is guided by their Mission and values, Citizens' Advisory Committees provide:

Advice - CACs provide impartial advice to CSC managers on the operation for correctional facilities and the impact of these facilities on surrounding communities. CAC members fulfill this role by regularly visiting correctional facilities, and meeting regularly with offenders, local union representatives, and with local CSC management and employees. CACs also advise and assist local, regional and national managers of CSC to help with the overall development of correctional facilities and programs, and of the impact of this development on the community.

Impartial Observers - CAC members act as impartial observers of the day-to-day operations of CSC. They help CSC evaluate and monitor the provision of adequate care, supervision and programs for offenders, in accordance with stated values, legislation, and approved regulations and procedures such as CSC's Mission and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA). CACs also act as impartial observers during institutional crises. This helps demonstrate CSC's commitment to openness, integrity and accountability.

Liaison - As a link between communities and CSC, CACs educate the public about CSC, address public concerns and build support for the correctional process. They also give CSC management, both parole and institutional, a community perspective on institutional, operational and policy decisions. CACs educate the local community on correctional objectives and programs; develop and implement means to enhance communication with the local community; and generally contribute and encourage public participation in the correctional process.

Correctional facilities and programs are part of the community. Through ongoing dialogue and consultation with the community, Citizens' Advisory Committees play a vital role in assisting the Correctional Service of Canada become more responsive to all Canadians.

If you would like to become involved or would like more information about Citizens’ Advisory Committees, please contact your nearest office/facility of the Correctional Service of Canada. To learn more about Canada’s federal penitentiaries for men, institutions for women, community correctional centres for offenders on conditional release, and parole offices visit the following Internet site at www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/facilit/facilit_e.shtml

For updated information about federal corrections in Canada, visit CSC’s Internet site at www.csc-scc.gc.ca

For further information on the CAC program, including an application form, visit the following Internet site at
www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/partenair/partne04_e.shtml or use the contacts that are provided.