Roles and activities of citizen advisory committees

Citizen advisory committees (CACs) believe in public safety, the right of all citizens to be involved in the correctional process, and the ability of offenders to become law-abiding citizens. CACs have three main roles, to:

• Observe: CACs are impartial observers of Correctional Service Canada's (CSC's) day-to-day operations. They help assess if offenders are getting adequate care, supervision, and services. They also ensure that CSC is operating under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.
  • Corrections and Conditional Release Act
• Liaise: CACs listen to public concerns and offer CSC a community point of view on the impact of its policies, programs and services. They also help raise awareness on federal corrections and promote the important work that CSC undertakes to encourage citizens to get involved.
• Advise: CACs give advice to CSC on its policies, programs and services, and on how it runs correctional facilities. Members visit facilities regularly to meet with offenders, and CSC officials and staff.

Here are some other examples of CAC activities:

• joining the warden in an inspection of an institution
• observing an internal disciplinary hearing
• meeting with other community groups interested in the correctional process
• observe crises in a facility
• connecting employers with offenders looking for work
• speaking at universities, service clubs, and other public events

Join a citizen advisory committee

Think about joining a citizen advisory committee (CAC)! It is one of many ways you can volunteer with Correctional Service Canada (CSC) and help keep communities safe.

Contact your regional coordinator for more information on how to become a member of citizen advisory committees.