COMMISSIONER'S DIRECTIVE

CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Policy Bulletin 147

POLICY OBJECTIVE

1. To foster positive relations with the community by engaging citizens in the development of policies and offender programs and to ensure that they are enriched by diverse perspectives.

DEFINITION

2. Operational Unit head includes Institutional Heads, District Directors, Area Directors and Directors of Community Correctional Centres.

AUTHORITIES

3. Paragraphs 4 (c) and 4 (f) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act;
Subsections 7 (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations;
Access to Information Act and Privacy Act.

CROSS-REFERENCES

4. Citizens' Advisory Committees' Resource Manual;
Commissioner's Directive 775 - Volunteers and Volunteer Activities;
Commissioner's Directive 600 - Management of Emergencies;
Treasury Board Travel Directive.

ESTABLISHMENT OF CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEES

5. Each operational unit shall have a Citizens' Advisory Committee attached to it.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

6. Citizens' Advisory Committees:

1. provide advice to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) regarding correctional operations, programs, policies, and plans;
2. act as impartial observers of and provide feedback on the day-to-day activities and operations of the CSC;
3. liaise with staff and offenders and their representatives, other organizations including criminal justice and advocacy groups and the community to address correctional issues; and
4. in performing these roles, local committees should establish clear objectives and undertake activities that will support them. These should be discussed with their local CSC operational unit head and be sensitive to the nature of the operational unit, factors within the community, and the level of volunteer interest. These objectives should be reviewed and updated yearly.

7. The CSC shall consult with Citizens' Advisory Committees (i.e. local, regional or national) on matters regarding correctional operations, programs, policies, and plans.

8. The Regional Deputy Commissioners shall conduct an annual review to determine if:

1. there is a Citizens' Advisory Committee attached to each operational unit in their region;
2. each of the Citizens' Advisory Committees in their region comply with the roles and membership outlined in this Commissioner's Directive; and
3. Citizens' Advisory Committees are being consulted and to what extent.

9. The operational unit head shall refer disagreements concerning the roles and responsibilities of Citizens' Advisory Committees to the Regional Deputy Commissioner after consultation with the Local or Regional Chair and, if ultimately necessary, the Commissioner.

MEMBERSHIP

10. A Citizens' Advisory Committee should normally consist of between five and not more than 15 members.

1. The Committee's membership shall be representative of the community, and shall also correspond to the needs and demographic composition (e.g. ethnic, gender, age, language, etc.) of the operational unit.
2. Current CSC employees, persons under contract to CSC, and offenders are not eligible to serve as members.
3. Membership may be suspended, refused, or cancelled if the potential for a conflict of interest is identified.
4. No more than one former CSC employee may serve as a member on any Citizens' Advisory Committee at any given time.
5. A member shall serve on only one local Citizens' Advisory Committee at any given time.
6. The operational unit head and the Citizens' Advisory Committee Chair are responsible for the recruitment of members.
7. Appointments and re-appointments are normally for a two-year period.
8. A member's appointment shall continue until the member resigns, or it may be terminated if the member acts contrary to the Mission of the Citizens' Advisory Committee or CSC.
9. The Deputy Commissioner shall approve appointments or cancellations on recommendation of the operational unit head in consultation with the respective Citizens' Advisory Committee Chairperson or if not available, the Regional Chairperson. The local union head, if available, may be consulted.
10. A committee composed of Regional Chairs will serve as a national coordinating body for regional and local Citizens' Advisory Committees. No more than one former CSC employee may serve as a member of this National Executive Committee at any given time.

ORIENTATION

11. The operational unit head shall ensure that initial and ongoing orientation are provided to Citizens' Advisory Committee members.

12. The National Headquarters sector responsible for Citizens' Advisory Committees shall provide and maintain orientation and resource manuals in support of the Citizens' Advisory Committees.

ADMINISTRATION

13. CSC shall identify staff members at the national and regional levels to provide support and maintain a strong relationship with Citizens' Advisory Committees. The operational unit head shall ensure the maintenance of the program at the local level.

14. Reimbursement of authorized travel and accommodation expenses for Citizens' Advisory Committee members shall comply with Treasury Board Travel Policy.

ORGANIZATION

15. The National Headquarters sector responsible for Citizens' Advisory Committees in consultation with the National Executive Committee shall initiate and organize regular national meetings and conferences. National conferences require the approval of the Commissioner.

16. Regional Deputy Commissioners shall support the organization and execution of Regional Citizens' Advisory Committee meetings. These meetings require prior approval.

17. Local committee meetings shall be held with the local CSC operational unit head on a regular basis.

18. CSC will support these meetings by providing administrative support and facilities at all levels (local, regional or national).

ANNUAL REPORTS

19. Each local committee shall prepare an annual report to be presented to the operational unit head and the Regional Chair. These reports should be made available to community members upon request.

20. The National Executive Committee shall provide an annual report to the Commissioner of Corrections.

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