Media Room

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, , September 7, 2004 - International Literacy Day is being celebrated worldwide on September 8. The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is hosting a number of activities to commemorate the day and to highlight the importance of its accredited education programs.

Staff and offenders in CSC institutions across the country are participating in a variety of activities such as reading and writing competitions and tests, to promote literacy and measure the achievement and progress of participating offenders.

"Basic literacy skills are essential to offenders so they are able to fully participate in correctional programs and be able to function well in society upon release," said acting Commissioner of Corrections Don Head. "For the Correctional Service, this means we must continue to make literacy training a priority for offenders in order to provide them with the skills needed to contribute fully to Canadian society".

Approximately 55% of inmates entering CSC institutions test at lower than Grade 10 literacy levels and approximately 80% do not have a High School Diploma. Research has established that education is an important way to help offenders successfully prepare for their safe return to the community. The inability to read and write may not be a specific cause of criminal behaviour, but it can make daily life difficult and correctional programming less productive. It also limits employment options upon an offender's release.

CSC's education programs promote literacy and other basic essential skills to help offenders obtain their High School Diploma or upgrade their employment skills. Education is a central part of the correctional plans of many offenders with the goal set at obtaining Grade 12 or High School completion. Courses are available in various formats, including day and evening classroom courses, tutoring and correspondence.

Research by CSC in the early 1990s and in 1997-98 shows that offenders who completed Adult Basic Education - Grade 10 had a 21.3% reduction in re-admissions to the federal correctional system.

CSC provides accredited educational programs for offenders and it also partners with community organizations in giving back to the community initiatives with respect to literacy programs.

- 30 -

For further information, please contact the following: