Statement - Correctional Service of Canada responds to Correctional Investigator's Annual Report Français
OTTAWA, Oct. 30, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Anne Kelly, the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada, made the following statement on the release of the 2017-2018 Annual Report of the Correctional Investigator.
"I welcome this year's Annual Report from the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI).
As with every report from the OCI, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has completed a comprehensive review of its recommendations. Our response to the OCI's report provides more information and context about the issues that have been raised, where we are in terms of making improvements, and the further changes we have committed to make.
The issues identified by the OCI in its annual report are important. Though our approaches may differ in some areas, given that we must also manage the operational realities that come with making any changes, we believe we are making progress towards our shared goals and desired outcomes. For example, there has been a steady decline in the incarcerated offender population and a continuous increase in the number of offenders being safely and successfully managed in the community. In 2017-18, we also saw the highest number of day paroles since 2012-13, including those for Indigenous offenders and women offenders. Offenders are also being released earlier in their sentences and women offenders especially have seen a significant decrease in terms of median percentage of sentence served before release.
I would also like to take this opportunity to emphasize that we are continuing to integrate the lessons learned from the Saskatchewan Penitentiary riot into our daily operations to ensure that similar situations can be prevented in the future. The riot's impact on staff, offenders and others has not been forgotten, and we are using the results of the subsequent investigation to address the factors that resulted in this tragic incident.
The recommendations in this year's Annual Report build on priorities outlined in my mandate letter and help establish key commitments to advance our mission. We operate in an ever-evolving environment, and through self-reflection and openness, we will continue growing and advancing our mission of making a difference for our staff, offenders in our custody, victims and, as a result, contributing to greater public safety.
We recognize the important role the OCI plays in working with us to improve the federal correctional system and the opportunities for dialogue and collaboration that come out of its critical oversight function. We will continue to work cooperatively with the OCI, in a spirit of transparency, respect and collaboration and towards our shared goals of effective care and custody, successful reintegration, and serving Canadians."
Related Links:
- Response of the Correctional Service of Canada to the 45th Annual Report of the Correctional Investigator 2017-2018
- Statement by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on the Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator 2017-2018
- Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator 2017-2018
Follow the Correctional Service of Canada (@CSC_SCC_en) on Twitter and Facebook (www.facebook.com/CorrectionalServices).
For more information, please visit the website www.csc-scc.gc.ca.
SOURCE Correctional Services of Canada
Media Relations, Correctional Service Canada, (613) 992-7711, [email protected]
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