Let's Talk

Academic Knowledge and Social Skills

International Literacy Day

BY Djamila Amellal, Communications Officer, Communications and Citizen Engagement

Photos: Bill Rankin

On September 8 of every year the whole world celebrates International Literacy Day. To highlight the value it places on offender education programs, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) organizes a variety of activities in all its regions. At Leclerc and Montée Saint-François institutions in Quebec Region, the Let’s Talk team met with a number of offenders who are attending school and with their supervisors.

In a classroom at the Leclerc Institution school, Alain Sirois (striped tie) and the teaching team scan the editorial content of Messager, the school newspaper, launched on International Literacy Day.

Early in the morning, teachers gathered at Leclerc Institution to celebrate with their students. A number of educational activities were already on the list. “This year the theme of our celebration is ‘corn’,” said Alain Sirois, Head, Education and Employment. “Our activities were chosen based on offenders’ interest and include general knowledge tests, games that test verbal skills, word searches and a thematic dictée. As well, we will officially launch the school newspaper. The graduation ceremony will be held in the afternoon.”

Literacy – A Prerequisite

Research shows that some federal offenders have a lower literacy level than what is required for admittance to secondary school. This issue is a major priority for CSC. Accordingly, the Service is working to provide offenders with education programs that promote literacy and the acquisition of other skills, as well. With this training, it is easier for offenders to participate in the correctional programs designed for them.

Today at Leclerc Institution, a team of nine motivated and committed teachers talk about their work: “We teach French, English, math and computers at the secondary school level. These are the skills that everyone is looking for these days. For those who are able, a college training program is also available. This training can be done outside through the Prêt 2000 program. In Leclerc Institution alone, an average of 10 offenders every year are admitted at college level.”

Warden Serge Gagnon (fourth from left) with teachers and inmates at the MSFI, during the Job and Training Fair, one of the International Literacy Day activities

Social Skills Are Essential

The instructors agree that school gives offenders confidence and teaches them how to interact in a group setting. “We motivate them and give them tools for their toolbox, but it is up to them to use these tools,” says math teacher Stéphane Nadon. And Raymond Maltais, who is responsible for job skills acquisition, adds, “Social behaviour is important because often people are hired for their academic or working skills but fired for a lack of social skills.”

Sirois concludes by saying, “School in prison is essential. It is where the knowledge transfer takes place — teaching students to think, discern, communicate and work as a team.”

In preparation for the afternoon of this symbolic day, the entire team gets ready for the graduation ceremony and a corn boil.

Training, Orientation, Counselling

It is now afternoon. At the other end of the prison complex at Montée Saint-François Institution (MSFI), CSC staff and the offenders are busy preparing for the Job and Training Fair. The morning was very busy with the graduation ceremony and congratulating offenders who had successfully completed their programs.

“For us, the best way to celebrate this day is to hold a Job and Training Fair,” says Brigitte Bouchard, Program Manager at MSFI. “We present all the literacy programs to inform offenders about job opportunities outside and the training that is required for each job opportunity. They also learn about grants available for studying outside (at college) and distance education. This is one more opportunity to raise awareness.”

Behind the tables, which are arranged in a circle, teachers of various subjects are providing explanations and advice, such as how to be successful in an interview and how to bolster a weak point in a resumé. They also provide counselling on training. Some offenders have come to help their teachers by taking part in the games.

A Sense of Accomplishment and Pride

“We have alot to celebrate,” declares Serge Gagnon, Warden of MSFI. “The teachers open doors — and that is a priority here. The employees in charge of programs feel strongly about it and are very involved. Offenders have very little schooling when they arrive. There are currently 210 offenders in the institution, 40 of whom attend school. The waiting list to get in is quite long. The teachers know how to motivate them, and some offenders leave here with a high school diploma. Others even go on to CÉGEP. This year, around five offenders were in the Prêt 2000 program and obtained certificates that are recognized outside. These results show how committed CSC staff is. We are very proud of them.”

As soon as offenders arrive in the CSC institutions, staff begins preparing them for their discharge and successful reintegration into the community. They start with the basics, reading and writing, and go on from there. Sometimes the students go far. ♦