National News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Moncton, NB - The 2004 Taylor Award will be presented this evening to Siegfried Janzen during a ceremony to be held at Westmorland Institution. This award is presented annually by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), in conjunction with the National Volunteer Association, to an outstanding volunteer with the CSC who has shown admirable dedication in the service of volunteerism to corrections.

"Mr. Janzen plays an important role in the reintegration of inmates," stated CSC Commissioner Lucie McClung. "Not only is he dedicated in assisting inmates in their personal evolution, but he has built and developed significant ties between the Correctional Service of Canada and his community. The Service is very fortunate to have Mr. Janzen and others like him who are committed to public safety."

Mr. Janzen has been volunteering with CSC since 1982. He is very well respected by his community, other volunteers, CSC staff and offenders. He displays a wonderful combination of an intelligent mind and a caring and gentle attitude. Siegfried Janzen has impacted many lives over the years. He has been instrumental in coaching and persuading offenders to follow their case plans and to appear before the National Parole Board with honesty and integrity. Mr. Janzen has also provided valuable assistance to CSC employees in the successful reintegration of offenders into the community. He brings with him a spirit of peace and mediation and the confidence that a successful resolution can be found.

"Without Siegfried Janzen in our institution and community, many lives might not have been so positively impacted," added Mike Corbett, Warden Westmorland Institution. "Siegfried has helped many inmates find the honesty needed to accept responsibility for their past criminal activities and the courage to make amends to the individuals and communities they have victimized, thereby preparing for successful reintegration".

Mr. Janzen is wholeheartedly committed to CSC's mission and continues to exemplify the values set out by the late Dr. Charles Taylor. He has had the opportunity to work with Dr. Taylor and honours what he and his wife have accomplished in their efforts of compassion and humanity.

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For further information, please contact:
Maurice Leblanc
Assistant Warden, Management Services,
Westmorland Institution
(506) 379-4503

 

The Taylor Award & Volunteers
The Taylor Award, established in November 2001 to mark the International Year of Volunteers, is given annually to an outstanding volunteer with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) who has shown admirable dedication in the service of volunteerism to corrections.

The award is named after Dr. Charles Taylor and his wife Charlotte, of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, the first recipients of the award. They were recognized for a lifetime of faith-based counselling and work with offenders in institutions and communities and for Dr. Taylor's contribution to the development of prison ministry education.

The National Volunteer Association and CSC determine the recipient for the award. Established in November 2001 by the Solicitor General, the National Volunteer Association (NVA) serves as a national voice for the thousands of volunteers working with CSC.

Acknowledging the many contributions that volunteers make, the NVA provides a strong platform for communications between CSC and volunteers as well as amongst volunteers. The NVA also promotes volunteers within penitentiaries and their communities.

To mark the occasion, the award recipient receives an attractive glass statue, depicting five Inukshuks in a circle. Inukshuks (an Inuit word meaning "in the image of man") are stone figures built to resemble humans, originally built as landmarks to aid in navigation and to assist in caribou hunting. The Inukshuk has been adopted today as a symbol to remind Canadians of our dependence on each other and the value of strong relationships.

CSC Volunteers
Volunteers are an equally indispensable part of CSC. Each year, thousands of individuals volunteer to bridge the gap between offenders in correctional facilities and the community, playing an integral role in achieving the CSC mission of "contributing to the protection of society by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens."

Who are CSC volunteers?
CSC is committed to achieving a skilled, diverse volunteer base that reflects the cultural diversity of the Canadian population. CSC volunteers come from all walks of life and include homemakers, trades people, teachers, accountants, nurses, fathers and mothers. Many are students who wish to acquire experience in the correctional system to complement their studies.

Anyone who is over the age of 18 and is committed to the CSC mission can volunteer with CSC. All volunteers receive some training and their security is always a priority.

What do CSC volunteers do?
Volunteers help complement programs and services, serve as positive role models and contribute in many ways including:

• Education - tutoring, literacy training, computer skills and vocational skills;
• Chaplaincy and Circles of Support - working with chaplains to provide spiritual healing and support for incarcerated offenders and those returning to the community;
• Ethno-Cultural Programs - assisting with support groups and acting as translators and interpreters;
• Aboriginal Support - spiritual activities such as sweatlodges, healing circles, pow-wows, and drum groups, as well as Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood, cultural nights, native theatre, round dance and Inuit feast;
• Health Care - palliative care, suicide prevention;
• Social/Recreational - sports activities, theatre groups, quilting groups, public speaking forums, family social events and holiday project events; and
• Support for Release Plans - helping offenders to participate in community activities such as treatment programs or local community development projects like playground construction.

Citizens' Advisory Committees
Many individuals also participate through membership in over 100 Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs) that exist across the country. Through their involvement in the CACs, more than 600 of the members advise on CSC's operations and their impact on communities, serve as independent observers and act as liaisons with the community.