Commissioner Head has taken it upon himself to spend time with frontline employees at CSC by working shifts with them. He has done this at various institutions across the country, hoping to gain more insight into what it’s like to work as a Correctional Officer these days, as well as the challenges faced by employees while doing their work. On the morning of February 11th, the Commissioner arrived at Regional Headquarters in the Prairie Region ready to work another shift, only this time it was with Victim Services Officers (VSO).
Over the course of the day, the Commissioner shadowed the officers and experienced every aspect of their work. He was briefed on the notification process and participated in phone calls with victims and/or their representatives, was shown in detail how victim registration and interview checklists are completed, received an overview of the Correctional Plan Summary project, and was introduced to the many tools and resources that VSOs use in their daily work.
The experience was an eye-opening one for the Commissioner. At the end of the day he sat down with the group to talk. He told them how impressed he was with the work they do, and the fact that he noticed how their days can change on a whim and take them in an entirely different direction. This opportunity to shadow the officers, he said, made him realize just how appreciated the VSOs are by the clients they serve. Overall, the Commissioner was grateful for the experience and thanked the staff in the room for the exceptional work they do.
The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (CVBR) has created clear statutory rights at the federal level for victims of crime for the first time in Canadian history. CSC is dedicated to providing ongoing support to victims of crime, ensuring all victims are treated with fairness, compassion, and respect.