SERVICES

Ethnocultural Liaison Services

CSC will reinforce its links with different community organizations to help combat racism and racial discrimination. In addition, a service by ethnoculturally trained workers is provided to compensate for cultural differences in an effort to bridge the ethnocultural gap between offenders and case management personnel. For example, Black Inmates and Friends Assembly (BIFA) delivers the following programs and services: intake assessment; assistance with pre-parole; discharge planning; group counselling (Black heritage); and staff development (conferences, workshops, and seminars). BIFA exposes inmates to the range of community resources and support systems available upon release to assist in successful reintegration into the community. Representatives from ethnocultural communities also play an advisory role in the correctional facilities.

Religious Services

Religion, or spiritual beliefs and practices, often the predominant indicator of one's culture is an important need to respond to. Religious customs vary widely and, in institutional settings particularly, can be difficult to accommodate. To fulfil these requirements CSC considers a number of factors including traditional dress (e.g. turbans), religious diets (e.g. pork free diet), sacred scriptures (e.g. the Quran), different days of worship, and diverse religious and/or spiritual leaders. CSC works closely with the Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy which provides crucial information regarding religions and multi-faith calendars.

Linguistic Services

In a prison environment where rehabilitation and restrictions are day-to-day considerations, language takes on great importance. Ideally, both the service provider and recipient should speak the same language, however, this is not always feasible in correctional systems which have high numbers of diverse minority client groups. CSC policy guarantees minority offenders who have difficulty speaking English or French the right to interpreter services in quasi-judicial proceedings where the loss of liberty or privileges is at stake, such as disciplinary hearings and Parole Board hearings in institutions and the review of parole conditions in the community. CSC keeps a list of staff who can speak different languages and who would be suitable interpreters.

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