Commissioner's update for offenders and their families:
November 14, 2023

This past Sunday, November 12, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities celebrated Diwali. Diwali is a time of joy, unity, and reflection. It is an opportunity to appreciate the light within oneself and the positivity that we can spread to those around us. It is often referred to as the Festival of Lights, signifying the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

If you aren’t familiar with Diwali, I encourage you to have conversations with one another and learn more about this religious festival and its rich cultural traditions. To all of you who are celebrating, I wish you a Happy Diwali!

The week of November 12–18 is Nurse Practitioner’s Week. CSC’s nurse practitioners are valuable members of the Health Services team. They play a crucial role in providing high-quality care in institutions and across our healthcare system. This week, thank nurse practitioners for their expertise, compassion, and commitment to improving health.

Last week, I mentioned the ChIRP reading program. Reading can be an enjoyable and interesting way to broaden your view of the world, learn new things, and meet new people. I encourage you to visit the library in your institution. Libraries are a great resource for information, education, and recreational reading.

Some institutions also provide book clubs, including ethnocultural book clubs, with the support of volunteers and community organizations such as Book Clubs for Inmates. These are important initiatives that focus on improving literacy and academic skills to support your successful reintegration into the community. Ask staff for more information about these opportunities.