The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has been providing information to victims of crime since the 1980s, and more formally since 1992 under The Corrections and Conditional Release Act. However, it has only been with the creation of the National Victim Services Program (NVSP) in 2007 that the organization has enhanced the services it provides to registered victims of federal offenders across Canada.

“Public awareness of victims’ issues has increased steadily over the past few years as victim advocacy groups have persevered in their engagement with governments and elected officials,” says David Molzahn, Director of the NVSP. “At CSC, we are committed to ensuring that victims of crime have an effective voice in the federal correctional and justice systems.”

The NVSP was created to offer dedicated service to victims by providing full-time staff across Canada (Five Regional Victim Services Managers and 24 Regional Victims Service Officers), a strengthened management structure, stronger partnerships with governmental and non-governmental agencies, an extensive evaluation structure, and a monitoring process of current and future trends.

“Our work is essential because we are here to support victims, not only by providing them with up-to-date information about an offender’s sentence, but also by listening to them and taking the time to explain the complexity of our criminal justice system,” says Julie Charest, Regional Victim Services Officer, Quebec Region. “With our help, victims have a better view of the situation and can participate in the correctional process if they wish.”

Since the implementation of the program in 2007, approximately 1,900 additional victims have registered with CSC to receive notification about the offender who harmed them. This includes information about offender escorted temporary absences, changes in institutional location, and travel permits.

CSC also encourages victims to provide a victim impact statement which can be used in the decision-making processes surrounding an offender’s parole eligibility, risk, and security level.

As it moves forward, the NVSP will be undertaking several new initiatives, including reaching out to Aboriginal victims and victims who are family members of the offender. Staff will also work more closely with criminal justice partners, such as the National Parole Board which also provides information to registered victims, in order to enhance its services and avoid the duplication of information and material.

“We have come a long way in how we serve victims at CSC. We will continue to make efforts to reach out to victims of federal offenders and consult with victim advocacy groups, partners and Canadians to ensure that CSC provides the best possible service to registered victims,” says Molzahn.