National News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, January 17, 2003 — Citizens in communities across Canada are playing an important role in Canada's federal corrections. To recognize this role, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has declared the week of January 20-26, 2003 to be Citizens' Advisory Committees' Awareness Week.

Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs) have been part of the correctional process for over 25 years. These committees of volunteers work to provide stronger links between their communities and the correctional system by providing advice and input on correctional matters, and by acting as impartial observers in the daily function of CSC facilities and operations.

"I am pleased to see the number of Citizens' Advisory Committees is continuing to grow across the country," said Wayne Easter, Solicitor General of Canada. "Canadians are interested in playing a part in our justice system, and that only serves to strengthen and improve our system and the safety of our communities."

All federal penitentiaries and parole districts in Canada receive the input of citizens to assist them in the delivery of correctional interventions. During CAC Awareness Week, local and regional CACs will be informing the public about their community roles, and encouraging participation.

"CSC has benefited from a long tradition of working with Citizens' Advisory Committees and these individuals warrant recognition," said CSC Commissioner Lucie McClung. "They give their time and energy to improve the well-being of their communities through active involvement in the correctional system."

"As independent observers, CACs makeup part of the system of checks and balances that help keep the CSC focussed on its primary goal of public safety," said Charles Emmrys, National CAC Chairperson. "During CAC Awareness Week we have an opportunity to explain our role and purpose and to encourage others to get involved."

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For more information on CACs, CAC Awareness Week, and the contribution CACs make to corrections and public safety please contact:

Dr. Charles N. LeBlanc Emmrys
National Executive Chairperson
(902) 667-3879

Steven Hinkley
National Executive Member
Atlantic Region
(506) 658-2244

Maurice Lavallée
National Executive Member
Quebec Region
(450) 759-8284

Dick Hudson
National Executive Member
Ontario Region
(613) 226-6969

Sean Taylor
National Executive Member (Vice Chair)
Prairie Region
(306) 374-8004

Barbara Teichman
National Executive Member
Pacific Region
(250) 474-7121

Michèle Pilon-Santilli
Correctional Service of Canada, Ottawa
(613) 943-2573

 

BACKGROUNDER

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• Since their inception in 1965, and subsequent recognition through the Parliamentary Sub-Committee Report on Federal Penitentiaries (1977), Citizens' Advisory Committees have helped inform communities about the correctional process and have contributed to the overall development of correctional programs.

• Most offenders in Canadian penitentiaries are serving a sentence of fixed length and will eventually return to the community. Successful reintegration of an offender into society requires community acceptance and support. Communities and their citizens, therefore, have a key role to play in the Canadian criminal justice system. An organized means for citizens to become involved in the correctional system has resulted in the creation of Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs).

• Through voluntary participation and guided by their Mission and values, Citizens' Advisory Committees provide advice to Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Managers in the implementation and development of correctional facilities and programs, act as impartial observers on daily operations, and support the CSC and the public as a liaison between groups to build understanding and support for the correctional process.

• There are currently more than 80 committees composed of approximately 500 citizen volunteers active in the Citizens' Advisory Committee program. All federal penitentiaries and parole districts have an associated CAC.

• CAC members are local citizens who volunteer their time with the goal of making a difference in the criminal justice system and in their community. CAC members are recruited in the community in a joint effort between CACs and CSC through public education events and advertising in local media. Following the submission of an application, potential CAC members must complete an orientation and recommendation process prior to being appointed. CAC members are appointed for a minimum two-year term, which may be renewed.

• With a keen interest in positively contributing to the correctional process, Citizens' Advisory Committees provide a means for the community to represent and express itself in the core work of the Correctional Service of Canada.

For more information on CACs please see the CAC web-page on CSC's web-site at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/portals/cac/index_e.shtml