News Releases

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, April 9, 2004 - The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is marking National Volunteer Week from April 18 to 24 with celebrations, stories and awards. CSC volunteers number over 10,000 and give their time and effort to a wide variety of correctional programs and projects that directly support public safety.

"The Correctional Service of Canada is truly fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers," said Commissioner Lucie McClung. "We have benefited from a long tradition of partnering with citizens and the voluntary sector working together day after day to contribute to building safe communities. We have a common interest, and a common commitment towards improving the well-being of our communities."

Community support is essential to the safe reintegration of offenders, since most are serving fixed sentences and will eventually return to their communities. Volunteers help released offenders re-adjust to life in the community by acting as role models, providing contact with the community, access to medical services, social and employment services, churches and other community faith and support groups.

To mark National Volunteer Week, the Community Engagement Sector and the National Volunteer Association - an umbrella group for volunteers within CSC - are releasing a handbook for volunteers. This handbook contains background information on CSC, the criminal justice system, offenders' health and management, and the role that volunteers play. The Volunteer Handbook is available by contacting the Correctional Service of Canada's Community Engagement Sector at (613) 996-5005.

National Volunteer Week is being celebrated across the country, by governments, communities and most importantly by Canadians helped by volunteerism. The CSC will mark the week in each of its regions, culminating in the naming of the 2003 Taylor Award winner on April 27^th.

For more information contact:

Michele Pilon-Santilli
Media Relations
(613) 943-2573

Backgrounder: CSC Volunteers

Volunteers are an equally indispensable part of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). Each year, some 10,000 volunteers bridge the gap between offenders in correctional facilities and the community, playing an integral role in achieving the CSC mission of "contributing to the protection of society by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens."

Who are CSC volunteers?

The CSC is committed to achieving a skilled, diverse volunteer base that reflects the cultural diversity of the Canadian population. CSC volunteers come from all walks of life and include homemakers, tradespeople, teachers, accountants, nurses, and retirees. Many are students who wish to acquire experience in the correctional system to complement their studies.

Anyone who is over the age of 18 and is committed to the CSC mission can volunteer with CSC. All volunteers receive some training and their security is always a priority.

What do CSC volunteers do?

Volunteers help provide programs and services, serve as positive role models and contribute in many ways including:

• Education - tutoring, literacy training, computer skills, and vocational skills
• Chaplaincy and Circles of Support - working with chaplains to provide spiritual healing and support for incarcerated offenders and those returning to the community
• Ethno-Cultural Programs - assisting with support groups and acting as translators and interpreters
• Aboriginal Support - spiritual activities such as sweatlodges, healing circles, pow-wows, and drum groups, as well as Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood, cultural nights, native theatre, round dance, and Inuit feast
• Health Care - palliative care, suicide prevention
• Social/Recreational - sports activities, theatre groups, quilting groups, public speaking forums, family social events, and holiday project events
• Support for Release Plans - helping offenders to participate in community activities such as treatment programs or local community development projects like playground construction.

Citizens' Advisory Committees

Many volunteers also participate through membership in over 100 Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs) that exist across the country. Through their involvement in the CACs, more than 500 volunteers advise on CSC's operations and their impact on communities, serve as independent observers and act as liaisons with the community.