September 6, 2018 | Local, Security
A mandate letter for Canada's new corrections commissioner calls for more engagement with community groups to help prevent re-offending — something prisoner advocacy organizations say the prison system has not been very good at doing.
The letter, issued to Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) commissioner Anne Kelly in mid-August but only made public Wednesday, also calls on her to reduce the use of segregation, especially for inmates suffering from mental illness.
Two major lawsuits launched since 2015 have challenged how the prison system uses segregation to keep inmates in line, or to prevent them from harming themselves or others.
The letter says prisons should explore new, supervised use of computers so inmates are more prepared to enter the workforce once they are released.
And it calls on the commissioner to do more to address the needs of Indigenous offenders, including increasing the use of community-run healing lodges.
The government said the letter marks the first time a CSC commissioner has received a public mandate.
The letter to Kelly from Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says the prison system can not take a one-size-fits-all approach to incarceration.
“Different groups of offenders — including black Canadians, women, young adults, LGBTQ2 people and aging offenders — have different needs and experiences, which require tailored approaches,” Goodale said in a statement to Kelly, dated Aug. 17.
“In particular, more work needs to be done to address the needs of Indigenous Peoples, who are overrepresented in federal custody.”
Jennifer Metcalfe, executive director of Vancouver-based Prisoners' Legal Services, applauded the mandate, but said she is frustrated the government has appealed recent court decisions denouncing the use of segregation.
“If the government was really committed to making concrete changes that would have a positive impact on peoples' health and mental health, they shouldn't be fighting these issues in the courts,” she said.
Her legal services clinic has filed a human rights complaint on behalf of prisoners with mental disabilities that calls for significant changes to Canada's prison system.
“We would like to be at the table to help (CSC) come up with alternatives to solitary confinement that would better treat people with mental disabilities,” said Metcalfe.
She said more money needs to be invested in mental health care services for offenders, rather than warehousing people where they can develop bad behaviours including self injury.
Goodale said the CSC commissioner has four critical responsibilities: ensuring offenders can live law-abiding lives when they are released, providing a safe workplace for prison employees, showing victims of crime compassion and keeping them informed, and ensuring offenders are treated safely and humanely.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the appointment of Kelly as CSC commissioner in late July.
The Canadian Press
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SkyAlyne, a partnership between Canadian aviation and defence companies CAE and KF Aerospace, has officially unveiled its expanded team of strategic subcontractors to pursue the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. SkyAlyne is a qualified supplier for the FAcT program. Canadian-based companies ATCO Frontec, Bluedrop Training and Simulation, Canadian Base Operators, Canadian Helicopters, and SERCO Canada will add considerable expertise, experience and Canadian content to SkyAlyne's bid. PAL Aerospace is a notable new addition to the SkyAlyne team, bringing unparalleled Canadian experience in airborne surveillance and intelligence operations, sensor operator training, mission systems development and aircraft modification capabilities. The SkyAlyne team collectively employs more than 14,000 Canadians and operates in every region of Canada — from coast to coast to coast. “We are pleased to officially announce our pan-Canadian team of experienced partners,” said SkyAlyne board chair Tracy Medve. “Our goal is to work with the Royal Canadian Air Force to continue providing a world-class aircrew training program built by Canadians for Canadians. These partnerships will strengthen SkyAlyne's position and help us move towards our objective to retain this crucial military capability in Canada.” As the only Canadian-founded and Canadian-based qualified supplier competing for the FAcT program, SkyAlyne has unique experience and expertise in military pilot and aircrew training specifically for the RCAF. SkyAlyne's parent companies – CAE and KF Aerospace – currently deliver all phases of pilot training for the Royal Canadian Air Force through the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program based in Moose Jaw, Sask./Cold Lake, Alta., and the Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) program based in Southport, Man., respectively. The subcontractors announced as part of the SkyAlyne team have extensive experience working with the RCAF. Most also currently support the existing training programs managed by CAE and KF Aerospace. “This agreement further ensures that the FAcT program benefits from the very latest Canadian expertise and innovation in aircrew training,” said SkyAlyne president France Hébert. “If selected, SkyAlyne will train the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force airwomen and airmen while helping grow Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses as well as local and Indigenous communities. The selection of the SkyAlyne team would be a win-win for the Royal Canadian Air Force and for the Canadian aerospace industry.” https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/skyalyne-announces-pan-canadian-team-of-experts-for-fact-program