June 7, 2022 – Smart Justice Special
What’s wrong with this letter?
The letter below comes from CSC Commissioner Anne Kelly to the federally incarcerated in Canada. Smart Justice asks the question: What’s wrong with this letter? If you would like to suggest an answer, and if you would reply to the newsletter, we would be happy to edit the results for brevity and clarity, repetition. We would publish anonymously if so requested.
Hello,
I want to begin by sharing that I have extended the waiver for food, accommodation fees, and telephone until August 31, 2022. These deductions will not come off your pay during this time. I hope you can use these extra funds to further your education or accomplish one of the self-improvement goals you have set for yourself. I would like to hear about how you are putting this money to use, so please write me and tell me how you are using the money to pursue a self-improvement goal.
Earlier this week, the Auditor General of Canada tabled her spring report. The report provides CSC with recommendations on how we can further address the barriers that Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals may face in our correctional system. I have accepted all of the recommendations made by the Auditor General. CSC has put in a place a number of actions. CSC will undertake a validation exercise of the Custody Rating Scale (CRS) for Black men offenders and a revalidation for women and Indigenous offenders, in collaboration with external experts. CSC has also begun an arms-length initiative to develop an Indigenous-informed security classification process, from the ground up, to ensure it is gender-informed and culturally relevant for Indigenous peoples.
We will continue to provide correctional programs focused on addressing each offender’s needs. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on program delivery, we continue to focus on ensuring programs are delivered in a timely way, before you are eligible for parole release. We are also examining additional program delivery options, such as virtual correctional programming.
Last year, the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) People was released. Today, a year later, the Government of Canada released its first annual progress report for the Federal Pathway, reiterating its commitment to end gender-based violence and the systemic racism responsible for the tragedy against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
This week, the Province of British Columbia received an exemption to a section of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, to allow adults to possess small amounts of certain illegal drugs without criminal implications. This exemption, effective in January 2023, is not legalization. It was made to support efforts to address the overdose crisis in the province. It is important to know that this exemption does not apply to CSC institutions. These substances continue to be prohibited and are still considered contraband in our institutions.
Last weekend, May 26 to 29, William Head on Stage celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a walk through of posters, costumes, video clips, and production mementoes. The event, The Prison Theatre Time Machine, took the viewers back through 40 years and 62 William Head on Stage productions. Thank you to all of you who participated in this program over the years and who helped make this happen.
Anne
Anne Kelly
June 3, 2022
“Don’t go through life, grow through life.” —Eric Butterworth