Let's Talk

Commissioner's Editorial

Addressing Mental Health Needs of Offenders

The key theme of this Let's Talk edition is CSC's work, and our results, in dealing with offenders who have mental health problems. The stark reality is that within only a decade, the increase in this offender population has escalated: a dramatic increase of 71 percent. And what that means for our organization and partners is that 12 percent of federal male offenders, and one in four federal women offenders have mental disorders.

That's why one of CSC's key priorities is to improve our capacity to address this issue. We are taking decisive action to implement a comprehensive mental health strategy that you'll read more about in this publication. You'll also get a closer look at some new tools to screen offenders when they first come into our system, so we can develop correctional plans that better meet their needs.

Having the right CSC people in the right places is another key element to meeting the challenges of offenders with mental health problems, so we are moving to implement a new internal governance structure that is needed to support and continually improve the quality of health services provided to inmates. The new structure will also help ensure that policies are applied consistently and that standardized practices will provide greater integration of physical and mental health services.

There is a direct link between how well we respond to the needs of offenders with mental disorders and keeping Canadian communities safe. Our dedicated and professional staff, as well as our many partners in corrections, make a real difference in helping these individuals, and thus in contributing to the public safety interests of all Canadians.

I hope you enjoy this important issue of Let's Talk, which I know will also help you to see how strongly linked this priority is to our other business priorities of safe transition to the community, staff and offender safety in our institutions, and working to narrow the gap of re-offending between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders. ♦

Keith Coulter
Commissioner
Correctional Service of Canada