December 22, 2003

Inmates donate to Light the Way - Sam McNeish - Amherst Daily News
SPRINGHILL - Misconceptions abound when people judge inmates and sometimes staff at the Springhill Institution.

The Correctional Service of Canada works hard to uphold their mandate and find meaningful ways to help those inmates and staff give back to the community.

Just recently the inmates made a donation to the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre's Light the Way campaign. This was part of the CSC's Giving Back to the Community Week that was held at all institutions across the county Dec. 8-12.

The week highlighted many of the ways CSC staff and offenders give back to Canadian communities. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate how, with the assistance of CSC staff, offenders can contribute positively to society. During this season of giving many initiatives focus on bringing cheer to children, elderly and less fortunate people in the community who could use help, as well as food and clothing drives.

"We must encourage and help offenders to turn their lives around, so that when they return to the community, they are able to contribute in positive ways," Wayne Easter, the Federal Solicitor General said.

"An important part of the process is to foster a sense of responsibility, by giving them opportunities to help other people and the community at large," he added. CSC provides innovative opportunities for both incarcerated offenders and offenders on supervised conditional release in the community to contribute thousands of hours of voluntary labour for many worthwhile causes.

Activities vary from supplying a volunteer workforce for projects that benefit the community to building and repairing hundreds of toys for less fortunate families at Christmas time, as well as speaking to youth about the consequences of engaging in unlawful behavior and the benefits of living a crime-free life.

"CSC in committed to serving Canadians," says Lucie McClung, Commissioner of CSC. "We are fortunate to have dedicated staff who through their actions assist offenders in giving back to the communities." Sean Taylor, National Chairperson of the Citizens' correctional system are often overlooked and this week provides an opportunity to highlight some of them. These projects provide the community insight into the efforts of CSC staff and offenders to affect positive change."

"All offenders come from the community, and most will return there," says City of Calgary Alderman John Schmal and immediate past President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. "Providing them with real skills for real jobs contributes significantly to the protection of society in the long run." Mr. Schmal is also a member of the advisory board of prominent citizens appointed by the Solicitor General of Canada to provide advice to CORCAN - CSC's employment and employability skills program for offenders.

"A supportive community helps offenders become responsible citizens," says Commissioner McClung. "Communities across Canada have given us the opportunity to contribute to society in a meaningful wa - and for that we thank them."

NOTE - With files from Debbie Eason, Communications Officer for Springhill Institution.