National News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, November 22, 2005 - The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is celebrating Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs) Awareness Week from November 20 to 27, 2005. CSC recognizes the valuable role played by citizens in assisting CSC to accomplish its mission and mandate.

CACs are active participants in the correctional process. Committee members work to develop stronger links between their communities and the correctional system by providing advice and input on correctional matters, and acting as impartial observers in the daily function of CSC facilities and operations. Their work will be highlighted throughout the week.

This year's theme is Watchful Eyes - Demystification of Citizen Involvement in the Correctional Process in support of CACs' objective to discuss their roles and involvement in the correctional process.

"Building safer communities for Canadians is an essential part of our mission," says the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. "CAC members help us to achieve this by providing impartial advice and acting as a liaison between the federal correctional system and the community."

"This week I would like to acknowledge CAC members for their invaluable contributions to the correctional process," states CSC's Commissioner Keith Coulter. "The work they do helps CSC develop community resources to support the safe reintegration of offenders into the community."

"As the CAC matures into a vibrant contributing organization, our visibility within the community and CSC must also evolve," says Sean Taylor, CAC National Chair. "I encourage continued dialogue between organizations, open sharing of successes, and working collaboratively to overcome any obstacles and challenges that might be in place."

All federal penitentiaries and parole districts in Canada involve these citizens in assisting in the delivery of correctional programs and services. There are 106 CACs in Canada, with approximately 600 members. CACs are located across the country in the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Pacific.

During Citizens' Advisory Committees Awareness Week, local and regional CACs will be informing the public about their roles and encouraging community participation.

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For more information about Citizen Advisory Committees, CACs' Awareness Week and the contribution that CACs make to corrections and public safety, please contact:

Sean Taylor
CAC National Executive Chairperson
(306) 374-8004

Ursula Morris
CAC National Executive Member
Pacific Region
(250) 563-5584

Theresa Halfkenny
CAC National Executive Member
Atlantic Region
(902) 661-0664

Maurice Lavallée
CAC National Executive & Vice Chairperson
Quebec Region
(450) 759-8284

Jim Bradfield
CAC National Executive Member
Ontario Region
(905) 725-6626

Dorthe Flauer
CAC National Executive Member
Prairie Region
(780) 464-4942

Christa McGregor
Media Relations
Correctional Service of Canada
(613) 947-4815

Richelle Léonard
Director, Citizen Engagement
Correctional Service of Canada
(613) 995-5272

Citizens' Advisory Committees
BACKGROUNDER

• Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs) provide advice to Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) management on the implementation and development of correctional facilities and programs. They act as impartial observers of daily operations and assist in linking CSC and the community. CAC members are local citizens who strive to make a difference in the criminal justice system by giving their time to the correctional process.
• CACs have been in operation since 1965; there are currently 106 committees composed of close to 600 citizens.
• CAC members are appointed to a term of at least two years, which can be renewed. All new members are required to complete a training program.
• Most offenders in federal penitentiaries are serving sentences of fixed lengths and will eventually return to the community. Successful reintegration of an offender into society requires community acceptance and support. Communities and citizens have a key role to play in the Canadian criminal justice system. The need for an organized group that encourages citizen involvement in the correctional system resulted in the creation of CACs.
• Through their commitment to, and interest in, positively contributing to the correctional process, CACs represent their communities, while assisting CSC achieve its mission of protecting society and building safer communities.

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For more information on CACs please see: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/portals/cac/index_e.shtml