Let's Talk

Commissioner’s Editorial

Meeting the Challenges

It gives me great pleasure to introduce this edition of Let’s Talk. Having been appointed as Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada on September 8, 2005, I want you to know that I consider it a great honour to join an organization that plays such a critical role in keeping Canadian communities safe. In the coming months, a key focal point for me will be to help ensure we all work together – at national, regional and local levels – as a single dynamic team to deliver the best possible results.

This edition of Let’s Talk addresses some of the issues we face in dealing with an ever increasing diversity of offender needs – from increasing numbers of offenders with mental health needs, to ethno-cultural diversity, to the challenges presented by organized crime. In all parts of our complex organization, we must ensure our programs and policies effectively address the needs of various offender populations while respecting the rule of law, actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens and exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control.

So, I would encourage you to read this issue of Let’s Talk and do your part in helping work together, as a team, to meet challenges in this area.

Canada is internationally recognized as having one of the best correctional systems in the world. That success is the result of the professionalism of CSC staff, volunteers, and stakeholders. I look forward to working with you in the coming months and years as we continue this proud tradition.♦

Keith Coulter
Commissioner
Correctional Service of Canada