News Releases

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, March 11, 2005 – The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) kicked off its conference today entitled “Building Bridges with Ethnocultural Communities”. The conference, which is financed in part by Canadian Heritage, brings together various ethnocultural communities and agencies as well as CSC representatives to foster partnerships and strengthen the involvement of communities in the social reintegration of offenders.

“The community is an essential partner in the successful reintegration of offenders,” said Lucie McClung, Commissioner of the CSC. “It is crucial that communities get involved in the correctional process, it increases the likelihood that offenders stay focused on doing the right things to turn their lives around and thereby contribute to the safety of our communities.”

Canadian society as a whole is growing more and more diverse. This represents a major challenge for CSC. The Service works diligently with community groups and agencies to raise awareness about cultural differences among staff and offenders as well as to provide meaningful links for offenders to their community. Representatives from ethnocultural communities also play an advisory role in the correctional facilities.

“The Advisory Committee welcomes the opportunity to work with the CSC to bridge the gap between correctional staff, inmates and ethnocultural communities,” stated Marge Nainaar, Acting Chair of the National Ethnocultural Advisory Committee. “Together, we aim to replace prejudices concerning incarceration with a supportive environment and safe return of offenders to their communities.”

The conference is taking place at the Best Western Primrose Hotel from March 11 to 13, 2005 and is open to media. Over 30 countries of origin are represented at this conference.

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