Commissioner's Speeches Archives

SHEPODY HEALING CENTRE

Remarks by:

Lucie McClung
Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada

Shepody Healing Centre
September 4, 2002
Dorchester, New Brunswick


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Mr. LeBlanc, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased to be here with you for the unveiling of the new name and symbol for the Shepody Healing Centre, the Correctional Service of Canada's Regional Treatment Centre in the Atlantic Region.

I would like to thank you for attending this important event. I say important, because the Centre is a testimony of our commitment to the "humane" and "safe" control of offenders in our work to transform them into law-abiding citizens.

Indeed, if we want to achieve our mandate to contribute to safe communities by helping offenders succeed in their reintegration, we must address their special needs, including physical and mental needs. As the majority of offenders are serving sentences of fixed length that will lead to their eventual release, we must do our utmost to provide them with the appropriate treatment they require to safely return to society.

Up to 19 percent of the inmate population across Canada suffers from mental disorders that require specialized interventions. Offenders with mental disorders often experience difficulty in adjusting to regular prison life. While in custody, they have a higher risk of self-injury or for causing injury to others.

Furthermore, they may have a need for greater assistance with the reintegration process, particularly to secure specialized support services, from counselling to housing. For the purpose of public safety, we must ensure continuity between the institution and the community.

While all CSC facilities provide physical and mental health care services, regional treatment centres are specifically designed for individuals who require intense mental or psychiatric care.

The Shepody Healing Centre is one of five regional treatment centres operated by CSC. Its mission is to assist individuals to obtain an optimum level of mental health services and to contribute to their safe reintegration, through holistic, client-centered programs and services.

As part of its mandate, the Centre provides in-patient, out-patient, emergency, as well as consultative services to other facilities within the Atlantic Region. Through the services of specialized staff, the Centre provides care and treatment for acutely-ill individuals, and makes every effort to facilitate the rehabilitation of those who have persistent mental health disorders.

Of course, the Shepody Healing Centre does not work in isolation. Partnerships are essential for the Correctional Service of Canada as we know that, alone, we cannot address serious social problems.

That is why the Shepody Healing Centre has established professional relationships, in several communities of the Atlantic Region, with correctional facilities, parole offices, community organizations and key federal and provincial government departments. The Centre is also working in partnership with non-profit agencies and services, such as halfway houses, hostels, mental health and social services, addictions, post-secondary education institutions, John Howard Society, Elizabeth Fry Society, Salvation Army, community chaplains, Aboriginal representatives, and self-help groups.

Through these partnerships, the Centre demonstrates that, today, excellence can only be achieved through the optimum use of internal and external resources.

In closing, your presence here demonstrates your support for our efforts to build safe communities. And I would like to thank you for your interest and support.