News Releases

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, January 19, 2004 — The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has declared the week of January 18-24, 2004 to be Citizens' Advisory Committees' Awareness Week, recognizing the valuable role played by citizens in assisting CSC to accomplish its Mission and Mandate.

Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs) have been part of the correctional process for over 25 years. Committee members work to develop stronger links between their communities and the correctional system. They provide advice and input on correctional matters and act as impartial observers in the daily function of CSC facilities and operations.

"Canada's communities are the base of strength for our nation," said the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. "The Government of Canada appreciates the work of CACs and their members, who help us to secure the society that we all expect."

"The membership in Citizens' Advisory Committees continues to grow across the country," said Lucie McClung, Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada. "More than ever, Canadians are interested in playing a part in our justice system and that can only serve to strengthen and improve the safety of our communities."

All federal penitentiaries and parole districts in Canada receive the input of these citizens to assist them in the delivery of correctional programs and services. During Citizens' Advisory Committees' Awareness Week, local and regional CACs will be informing the public about their roles and encouraging community participation. There are currently more than 90 CACs with over 500 members, who have taken the time to become involved in these Committees from all across Canada.

For more information about Citizens' Advisory Committees, CAC Awareness Week, and the contribution that CACs make to corrections and public safety, please contact:

Citizens' Advisory Committees to the Correctional Service of Canada

BACKGROUNDER

• Since 1965, Citizens' Advisory Committees have contributed to the overall development of correctional programs and have helped to inform communities about the correctional process. Their members are volunteers from communities across Canada.

• Most offenders in Canadian penitentiaries are serving sentences of fixed lengths and will eventually return to the community. Successful reintegration of an offender into society requires community acceptance and support. Communities and their citizens have a key role to play in the Canadian criminal justice system. The need for an organized means that would allow citizen involvement in the correctional system resulted in the creation of Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs).

• Citizens' Advisory Committees provide advice to Correctional Service of Canada's (CSC) managers in the implementation and development of correctional facilities and programs. In addition, CAC members act as impartial observers on daily operations and assist in linking CSC and the public in order to build understanding and support for the correctional process.

• There are currently more than 90 committees composed of over 500 citizens, who voluntarily and actively participate in Citizens' Advisory Committees across Canada. All federal penitentiaries and parole districts have an associated CAC.

• CAC members are local citizens who strive to make a difference in the criminal justice system and in their communities through public education events and advertising in local media. Following the submission of an application, potential CAC members are required to complete an orientation. A recommendation process is undertaken prior to their being appointed. CAC members are appointed to a term of at least two years, which can be renewed.

• Through their commitment to and interest in positively contribute to the correctional process, Citizens' Advisory Committees are a means for the communities to represent and express themselves, while also assisting CSC in its Mission of protecting society and building safer communities.

For more information on CACs please see the CAC web-page on CSC's web-site at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/partenair/partne04_e.shtml