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ARCHIVED - Archiving Content ARCHIVÉE - Contenu archivé Archived Content Contenu archivé Information identified as archived is provided for L’information dont il est indiqué qu’elle est archivée reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It est fournie à des fins de référence, de recherche is not subject to the Government of Canada Web ou de tenue de documents. Elle n’est pas Standards and has not been altered or updated assujettie aux normes Web du gouvernement du since it was archived. Please contact us to request Canada et elle n’a pas été modifiée ou mise à jour a format other than those available. depuis son archivage. Pour obtenir cette information dans un autre format, veuillez communiquer avec nous. This document is archival in nature and is intended Le présent document a une valeur archivistique et for those who wish to consult archival documents fait partie des documents d’archives rendus made available from the collection of Public Safety disponibles par Sécurité publique Canada à ceux Canada. qui souhaitent consulter ces documents issus de sa collection. Some of these documents are available in only one official language. Translation, to be provided Certains de ces documents ne sont disponibles by Public Safety Canada, is available upon que dans une langue officielle. Sécurité publique request. Canada fournira une traduction sur demande. Citizens Vital Link to Understanding Penal System The first national conference of Citizens' to do a good job. They also asked for Advisory Committees (cAC's), held last more information on operations, April, was hailed as a step toward better policies, and programs originating in recognition of community participation Ottawa. Many delegates said they were in the corrections system of Canada. unaware of recent decisions in the Delegates from across the country met correctional system, which hampered in Ottawa's Park Lane Hotel to ex- them communicating effectively with change information and consider a the community. directive for operation of the commit- Gwen McMahon, CAC member for tees. Joyceville Institution, Ontario, stated Opening the session, Commissioner access to prisons by the community of Corrections, Donald R. Yeomans, could inform the public of activities told his audience, "We need you very inside the prisons, helping to dispell badly," as he explained today's trend in fears and misunderstandings which corrections is to open the system to the have accumulated during the history of public. "We need community support Canadian Corrections. In this way, for our programs, and the community McMahon said, CAC's would serve to should know the problems we are faced make local citizens more aware of the with. A good corrections system needs operation of an institution, acting as Vol. 3 No. 3 June 30, 1978 citizen assistance and understanding. Problems outlined in the Report to Let's Talk is a tabloid for staff of the Canadian Penitentiary and National Parliament by the Sub-Committee on Parole Services, published by Public Affairs Branch, 340 Laurier Avenue the Penitentiary System in Canada West, Ottawa KlA 0P9. Editor Mona C. Ricks illustrates the requirement for involve- ment of non-professional people." Recommendation 49 in the Report to Your contributions are tvelcomed — send them to your Regional Public Parliament states cAC's should be in all Affairs Administrator, and in Ottawa to the editor of Let's Talk penal institutions; noting correctional agencies have traditionally operated in requirement for exchange of informa- Commissioner Communications, re- isolation, apart from other service agen- tion between cAC's, and an understand- sponsible for relaying penitentiary and cies. According to the Report the ing between CAC's and corrections.'' He parole policies and intentions to staff general public has never been well told delegates, "We want to help you and the public. informed about corrections, causing help us." Deputy Commissioner Braithwaite apathy and hostility toward the opera- Delegates reacted by stating the later commented that Recommendation tion of the criminal justice system. The Commissioner's recognition of CAC's in 25 of the Parliamentary Report on Report contends Citizens' Advisory corrections was an important first step to penitentiaries calls for the Penitentiary Committees, working with corrections Gwen McMahon, CAC member, increasing effectiveness. After a lengthy Service to be more open and accounta- administrators, can help to dispell public Joyceville Institution, Ontario, com- discussion the directive on CAC opera- ble to the public, and places high value fears and misunderstanding, gaining the mented, "When you're involved in tions was accepted. and priority on the involvement of support of the community in penal corrections you become specialized and Penitentiary and parole staff supplied citizens in developing policies, re- reform. The Report reads, "CAC's, if almost mesmerized by directives, answers to questions on programs and sources, and programs on behalf of the properly structured, can provide a real memos, and regulations. Citizens' Ad- objectives of the two agencies. William offender. He added, "If one needs a service to the Canadian Penitentiary visory Committees can provide a fresh Outerbridge, chairman National Parole reason for Citizens' Advisory Commit- Service in terms of informing the public outlook, one that can solve problems Board, outlined the administrative struc- tees, that is sufficient. If one needs a about the realities of prison life and simply and quickly." ture of the National Parole Board within feeling of support to do one's job, the informing the Service itself as to its the Ministry of the Solicitor General. involvement of citizens and their under- shortcomings." concerned citizens who can communi- Millard Beane of the Canadian Peniten- standing is essential." During the conference delegates dis- cate with staff, inmates, and the com- tiary Service explained the Living Unit -aumi cussed a Commissioner's directive on munity. Regular meetings with institu- Program, which assists staff and inmates Citizens' Advisory Committees, which tion directors, staff, and inmate commit- to understand each other in their daily outlines policies for their formation. The tees were also stressed as essential to contact. First Female directive states the Canadian Peniten- good communication of policy and Other staff explained their work: Dr. tiary and National Parole Services are procedures between institutions and Douglas Griffin, CPS, described the CX's in public institutions and, as such, ac- CAC's. A minimum of five meetings a Occupational Development Division countable to the community. It also year were called for. which strives to set work ethics, upgrade Prairies agrees the Services have a responsibility Conference participants also pointed educational standards in corrections, The first female correctional officers to to provide opportunities for community out CAC's could be useful in keeping among other programs for inmate be- be employed in a male penitentiary participation, encouraging open com- directors aware of problems, needs, and nefit. Edgar Bernard discussed the graduated last May from the Staff munication, and involvement with citi- desires of the community on the affairs Social Development Division's work in College in Edmonton, Alberta. They will zens in the affairs of the two Services. of institutions in their locality. This could physical education, recreation, hobby- work at the new Regional Psychiatric Through this involvement the direc- be achieved by proposals for specific craft, social and cultural activities, the life Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, tive suggests a potential exists, not only projects which would enhance the skills program, and community partici- and are the first female cx's in the for increased public awareness, but a image of the penitentiary in the local pation programs. Louis Zeitoun, direc- Prairie region. substantial contribution to humanizing community, and help narrow the com- tor Community Resources Develop- The eight female recruits who com- prisons. The directive endorses Re- munication gap between institutions ment, explained two programs affecting pleted the nine week Cx induction commendation 49 of the Parliamentary and local citizens. women offenders and native offenders, course were unanimous in praising the Report on Canada's penal system, Commissioner Yeomans expressed and Carol Anne Searle outlined a calibre of their training. which declares all institutions should the value of CAC involvement in correc- program for sexual offenders and lifers. Vaughn Alward, Director of the Staff have a Citizens' Advisory Committee. tions by saying, "National headquarters Brian Geraghty, director general Inmate College, attributed much of the success CAC members said they want greater in Ottawa formally recognizes the con- Employment, provided a report on the of the class to the fact that all recruits, access to institutions and non-classified tribution which Citizens' Advisory activities and projects of the industrial whether male or female, were treated files on policies and programs if they are Committees are making; there is a section of the Canadian Penitentiary the same. Service. Kevin George, self-defence instructor, Delegates requested more published insisted no special privileges were information on penitentiary and parole granted to the female recruits in the activities. They specifically asked to be self-defence exercises. Men and women included on all mailing