QUICK FACTS

CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS

Over the last 20 years, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has prioritized the use of correctional programs to reduce rates of re-offending and increase the safety of our communities. The Service has emerged as a world leader in the development and delivery of programs designed to: 1) make offenders accountable for their behaviour, 2) change criminal attitudes, and 3) reduce the risk that offenders present to Canadians upon release back into society.

Correctional programs work, in part, because they follow strict criteria and management strategies that ensure integrity. The biggest factor for success is found in the team of supportive staff who deliver CSC correctional programs.

Correctional programs significantly reduce recidivism and are cost effective. For every dollar that CSC invests in correctional programs, it saves an average of four dollars in incarceration costs.

CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS IN INSTITUTIONS AND THE COMMUNITY

CSC programs are designed to address the correctional needs of offenders. There is solid evidence that programs based on sound research significantly contribute to the safe reintegration of offenders following release, as they target risk factors related to re-offending.

In addition to correctional programs, CSC also offers other important programs to help improve social and educational skills.

A NEW PHASE IN CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMING: INTEGRATED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAM MODEL (ICPM)

In 2008, CSC launched an ambitious strategy to strengthen its contribution to public safety.

As part of its ongoing Transformation Agenda, CSC has entered a new phase in correctional programming, and has created a stronger, more effective program model for offenders.

CSC developed the Integrated Correctional Program Model (ICPM) to improve program efficiency and effectiveness in contributing to public safety. This commitment to facilitate the management and delivery of correctional programs will help CSC ensure it has the capacity to respond to the current and future needs of an increasing complex and diverse population in the most comprehensive way possible.

The ICPM will increase program effectiveness and enhance offender access to programs by allowing offenders to participate in programs earlier in their sentence and on an ongoing basis. This model will continue addressing the needs and risks of specific offender populations as well as help CSC to ensure that offenders participate in and successfully complete programs in a timely manner.

A pilot of this program is underway in two of CSC’s regions, with initial results from the first pilot being positive.

An evaluation of the pilots will be completed in 2012 to determine outcomes of the model.