A collage of photos of the residents of St. Michael’s Long Term Care Home using their tablets.  Some are holding signs that say “thank you”.

Edmonton Institution group helps connect local seniors

A group of correctional officers from Edmonton Institution (EI) established a workplace fundraising committee in response to the needs of families whose loved ones perished or were injured in the line of duty as correctional officers. Even though this cause was the drive behind their initial efforts, the EI Relief Fund has contributed to a variety of charitable organizations and causes since its inception. The EI Relief Fund fundraises through a variety of ways including receiving donations, activities such as BBQs and 50/50 draws.
Pictured with Star Blankets, from left to right: Christina Jocko, Janice Durham, Shirley Buffalo Calf, Charlene Wilson and Carly Shaver.

OOHL residents donate handmade Star Blankets to grieving families

In recent weeks, residents at Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge (OOHL) made 25 quilted baby blankets to give back to the community. The Star Blankets will be donated to parents who have, unfortunately, lost their newborns during either the birthing process or post-natal.  The OOHL residents were compelled to make this offering as they themselves are mothers, Aunties, Kokums (grandmothers) and they understand the importance of children amongst Indigenous culture.

Working together to support the families of incarcerated individuals

Research from the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) shows that there is a connection between positive family relationships and lower rates of recidivism.This is at the heart of the Canadian Families and Corrections Network (CFCN), which focuses on families who have someone that they care about inside.
Shed being pulled on the back of a trailer.

Construction Course Helps Two Communities

In the fall of 2019, CORCAN instructor Mark Charleson delivered a construction course to eight residents at Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. The course taught residents basic construction skills, such as planning, gathering materials, measuring, cutting and building. The residents divided into two groups to put into practice what they had learned. Each group was tasked with building a shed.
Front profile of the house at its original position.

CORCAN and OOHL Build Relationships with Nekaneet First Nation

On November 30, 2020, the keys to a new home were handed over to the Nekaneet First Nation. It was the first house built by residents of the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge (OOHL) for female offenders, outside Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.
Two CSC employees in uniform hoisting a flag up a flag pole.

Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village raises Sts’ailes community flag

On September 28, 2020—a picturesque, crisp autumn day— Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village in Harrison Mills, British Columbia, witnessed an historic ceremonial raising of the flags. 
Stack of items that were made for donation, including: mittens, hats, scarves, socks, headbands and leg warmers

A success story from GVI!

During the pandemic, Grand Valley Institution for Women’s social programs department and offender population have been working diligently knitting and crocheting the following items from yarn generously donated from a community member.
Dr. Emerson Douyon

The Legacy of Dr. Emerson Douyon

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is increasingly aware of the needs of ethnocultural offenders, thanks in large part to the pioneering work of Dr.
Mountain Institution

Giving back - Lifer’s Group donation to Emma’s Acres

On May 21, 2019, the Mountain Institution Lifer’s Group donated a bench grinder and cheque to a few special volunteers for their efforts and work through Emma’s Acres/LINC. Emma’s Acres is an agricultural social enterprise managed by the Long-Term Inmates Now in the Community, better known as LINC, which was founded in 1992 by Glen and Sherry Flett in Mission, BC. 
Writing for Personal Growth

Writing for Personal Growth

In order to encourage Donnacona Institution students to write beyond the scholastic context, I invited them to participate in the Ma plus belle histoire writing contest for adult students in Quebec.
Lookout Garden at Mission Institution

Lookout Garden at Mission Institution

It was a long, hot summer. Usually this type of statement in a correctional facility is an indicator that things are not going well and trouble is brewing, but at Mission Minimum, it was a sign that good deeds were on the horizon.
The positive impacts of CORCAN work experiences on reintegration

The positive impacts of CORCAN work experiences on reintegration

A new CORCAN project began in the Quebec Region in the summer of 2018 to support offenders on conditional release with their social and occupational reintegration. This initiative allows them to work as installers on a transitional basis to develop and apply technical and job-related skills prior to entering the job market.