National News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victoria, April 28, 2006 — Today, the 2005 Taylor Award will be presented to Ms. Jackie Maxfield during a ceremony at Ambrosia Catering and Event Centre in Victoria, British Columbia. This award is presented annually to an outstanding volunteer with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) who has shown admirable dedication in the service of volunteerism to corrections.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Maxfield for her many contributions to the public safety of Canadians," stated CSC Commissioner Keith Coulter. "Approaching her volunteer work from the heart, Ms. Maxfield offers a constant source of support, caring and friendship for staff and offenders alike, enhancing her community. We are truly thankful for the support and dedication of Canadians like Jackie Maxfield."

Ms. Maxfield has been volunteering with CSC for close to 30 years. To many people in Victoria, she is the face of volunteering. She is respected in the community by other volunteers, CSC staff, and offenders. Jackie Maxfield personifies dependability, cooperation and respect. Her compassion, generosity and professionalism have impacted so many throughout the Service.

In 2001, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), in conjunction with the National Volunteer Association, created and presented the Taylor Award to Dr. Charles and Mrs. Charlotte Taylor to mark their lifetime of giving to offenders. The annual selection process is based on criteria highlighting the values set out by Dr. Charles and Mrs. Charlotte Taylor.

For further information, please contact:

Dennis Finlay
Regional Communications Manager
Correctional Service of Canada
Pacific Region
(604) 855-1318

BACKGROUNDER

The Correctional Service of Canada 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 (NVA) and CSC determine the recipient for the award. Established in November 2001 by the Solicitor General, the 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. 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 training and their safety 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.

- 30 -