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Let's Talk

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Let's Talk

VOL. 31, NO. 1

Organizational Transition

Responding to a More Diverse Inmate Population

BY Alessandria Page, Unit Manager, Cowansville Institution, and Trent Kane, Unit Manager, Edmonton Institution

Photo: Jean-François Racine

Left to right: Mike Velichka; Sheila Liston; Lisa Waddell, Stony Mountain Institution; Michelle Bridgen, Collins Bay Institution; Val Whitton, Beavercreek Institution; Dianne Livesey, Ferndale Institution; Judy Amos, Springhill Institution; Fraser McVie; Don Head; Simon Coakeley; Diane Lacelle; Daniel Cournoyer, Établissement Joliette; Brad Donovan, Atlantic Institution; Morgan Andreassen, Mission Institution; Alessandria Page, Établissement Cowansville; Josée Brunelle, Établissement Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines; Trent Kane, Edmonton Institution
Left to right: Mike Velichka; Sheila Liston; Lisa Waddell, Stony Mountain Institution; Michelle Bridgen, Collins Bay Institution; Val Whitton, Beavercreek Institution; Dianne Livesey, Ferndale Institution; Judy Amos, Springhill Institution; Fraser McVie; Don Head; Simon Coakeley; Diane Lacelle; Daniel Cournoyer, Établissement Joliette; Brad Donovan, Atlantic Institution; Morgan Andreassen, Mission Institution; Alessandria Page, Établissement Cowansville; Josée Brunelle, Établissement Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines; Trent Kane, Edmonton Institution

As part of an effort to change the organizational structure and correctional officer deployment standards in CSC institutions, senior management met with a group representing unit managers and team leaders from across the country on April 28, 2006. This initiative came about in response to the increasingly diverse inmate population, the aim being to improve clinical supervision and interactions with offenders.

Fraser McVie leads the National Headquarters (NHQ) implementation team for both the institutional management structure reorganization and the correctional officer deployment study. It became clear, as the work of the reorganization team progressed, that the current role of the unit manager (UM) would not remain within the organization.

Unit managers from across the country had asked to be heard on the introduction and implementation of changes emerging from the reorganization. Following approval of the reorganization in principle by the Executive Committee in March, the Commissioner asked the Senior Deputy Commissioner to invite a group of unit managers to National Headquarters to discuss their roles and responsibilities.

This initiative was seen as recognizing the importance of the unit manager and team leader role within the organization. In consultation with the regional deputy commissioners, eleven unit managers and one team leader were chosen to represent their peers at the first consultation meeting in Ottawa.

Unit managers were first to receive Fraser McVie’s strategy for implementation. They provided valuable input. It was an important opportunity for unit managers to have a say in the future of CSC. The group also presented the strategy to senior managers based on their concerns, not only for the future of the unit managers and team leaders, but for the organization as a whole. A constructive discussion ensued.

Fraser and his team are making good use of the invaluable front-line experience and knowledge of day-to-day operations. The professionalism of the group has impressed many, including Senior Deputy Commissioner Don Head who wishes to consult on a regular basis with the Unit Manager Consultative Committee. A second meeting is will take place soon. ♦

 

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