Canadian Experience of Building a Correctional Constituency (From American Correctional Association - Proceedings, August 16-20, 1981, P 49-56, 1982, Julie N Tucker, ed. - See NCJ-85341)

• NCJ Number: 85346
• Author(s): D R Yeomans
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: American Correctional Association; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-85341

Annotation

The Correctional Service of Canada has taken steps to ensure that correctional goals and objectives are achieved through the shared responsibility and cooperative action of correctional staff, the community, and the offender.

Abstract

A correctional constituency is a body of supporters who compose a necessary part or element of the correctional and criminal justice process. The Correctional Service of Canada has identified the following key target groups that influence or are affected by policies and operations of the Service: political groups, private sector groups and individuals, correctional staff, the media and the general public, and offenders. To assist in the decisionmaking and implementation of new policies and programs, the Service has established a network of advisory bodies for the purposes of sharing information, improving understanding and acceptance of the roles and activities of the Service, and promoting positive relationships and effective communication channels with all key groups that influence or are affected by the policies and operations of the Correctional Service. Further, ad hoc consultation committees are frequently used to assist in specific policy and program areas. Citizen involvement has been promoted through citizens' advisory committees that (1) advise and work with wardens on the development of inmate programs and methods to inform the local community of Service activities, (2) promote communication between the public and the Service, (3) assist in developing community resources beneficial to corrections operations and encouraging community participation, and (4) serve as advisors to the Service on grievance procedures for offenders.