Let's Talk

Pacific Region

Gisèle Coté
25 Years of Exemplary Service

By Diane Mousouliotis, Assistant Warden, Management, Mission Institution

In a recent ceremony, Gisèle Coté was awarded the Exemplary Service Medal for her years of fine work for the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).

Gisèle began her employment at CSC in 1979 as one of the first 10 female correctional officers to work in a male penitentiary in Canada. It was a pilot project at Mission Institution designed to assess the feasibility of employing women in this role. The project was successful and led to the employment of many more female correctional officers across the country.

Gisèle worked at Mission, Matsqui, Bowden, Kwikwixwelhp and Ferndale institutions, as well as assignments at Pacific Regional Headquarters and with Fraser Valley Institution when it was preparing to take federally incarcerated women.

Congratulations, Gisèle!