Ethnocultural Services

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) ensures the preservation, promotion and presentation of culture among ethnocultural offenders at institutions and in the community, for the promotion of public safety. Cultural activities can play a major role in the integration and reintegration of offenders into the community, by emphasizing the value of their culture in their social transformation process. Furthermore, these activities help offenders value their culture and make it their own. It also enables them to think critically about the marginalization and stereotypes that they may hold or face.

Since 1994, the CSC policy on ethnocultural offender programs has aimed to ensure that the needs and cultural interests of offenders belonging to ethnocultural minority groups are identified, and that programs and services are developed and maintained to meet those needs.

An ethnocultural offender refers to any offender who has specific needs based on race, language, culture, and/or belief system, and who has a desire to preserve and promote cultural identity and practices. Interventions, services and activities are some of the important basic social and cultural tools that assist in the successful reintegration of ethnocultural offenders into the community.