Correctional Programs

Program Evaluation

Over the past few years the Correctional Service of Canada has developed and implemented a broad range of intervention programs in an effort to fully address offenders' treatment needs. The Service's strategy in developing the current menu of national programs has been to draw heavily on state-of-the-art theory that is supported by empirical findings. Indeed, each national program has been developed following a thorough review of the existing scientific literature. Presently, the major program areas include: cognitive skills, anger management, violent behaviour, substance abuse, sex offending, family violence, and education.

The evaluation of the effectiveness of these programs in assisting offenders to successfully modify their behaviour is a key aspect of each program area. For instance, each national program includes a built-in evaluation component and methodology that facilitates both quantitative and qualitative information to review and monitor the status of programs currently in operation. In addition, the evaluation component is intended to assist program managers in ultimately evaluating the effectiveness of the program in contributing to offenders' successful reintegration. Results from evaluation studies are used to revise and improve programs as part of the Reintegration Programs Division's overall program evaluation cycle.

Program Accreditation

For the last several years, CSC has been actively involved in a review process to ensure that its programs are designed to maximize effectiveness and that they embrace the latest treatment techniques and delivery standards for each specific program area (e.g., sex offender treatment, violence prevention, etc.).

Programs are presented to review panels that consist of internationally-recognized experts in the field who assess the program in relation to specific criteria. Those programs that are rated as fulfilling the required criteria are then recommended by the panel to the Commissioner for accreditation. In turn, the quality of the delivery of accredited programs in the field (institutions and community) is then assessed through a process of site accreditation. The Performance Assurance Sector is primarily responsible for coordinating the overall accreditation process, however, the Reintegration Programs Division assists in the process of identifying suitable programs for review. In addition, the Reintegration Programs Division provides team leaders to lead the site review process.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Development of program evaluation methodologies
• Management of the Service's overall program evaluation cycle
• Conduct of quantitative and qualitative evaluation studies
• Development and maintenance of electronic databases and assessment technologies for program-related information and data
• Provision and interpretation of the results of evaluation studies
• Identification and dissemination of material representing the most recent theory, practice, and research in assessment and treatment techniques for offender clinical populations
• Coordination and distribution of evaluation studies and related information for the Reintegration Programs Division
• Liaison with Performance Assurance Sector (Accreditation Branch) regarding program accreditation and site accreditation issues
• Coordination and maintenance of program standards (both specific and generic)