In this episode, we explore how education transforms lives within Canada's federal correctional institutions. We’ll hear a teacher talk about his work, and we'll also hear from one of his students who reflects on the positive impacts education had on his life.

Discover how education helps with rehabilitation, but also contributes to safer communities and reduced recidivism.

The Behind the Badge series is back, sharing the stories and voices of frontline staff across the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). In this episode, we hear from Ashley, a Primary Worker at Nova Institution for Women in Truro, NS. Primary Workers like Ashley are essential to women’s corrections, they manage security, support rehabilitation and play a key role in case management.

Tune in as Ashley shares what it’s like working inside a women’s prison, and the importance of dynamic and static security, in her own words.

Since 1964, Canada’s Penitentiary Museum has been preserving the rich and complex history of corrections in our country. Located just across the street from the former Kingston Penitentiary, Canada’s first federal institution, the museum houses artifacts and exhibits that help bring this history to life.

In this episode, Museum Historian Dave guides us through the evolution of federal corrections in Canada; from its beginnings before Confederation to the present day. Along the way, we explore key milestones, shifting philosophies in corrections, and the stories behind the events that have shaped our correctional history.

Indigenous peoples are overrepresented in Canada’s federal correctional system, and many incarcerated individuals have had limited or no prior connection to their Indigenous culture, history, or identity. In part two of our exploration of cultural reconnection in Indigenous corrections, we look at how cultural identity and community support are key to the safe and successful reintegration of Indigenous offenders.

In this episode, we hear from Elder Josephine Buffalo, who shares her perspective on the importance of preserving Indigenous culture and the unique role Elders play in supporting incarcerated individuals. We also hear from Julia, Operations Manager at Buffalo Sage Wellness House, who explains how Section 81 healing lodges provide culturally grounded support through supervised housing, traditional teachings, and reintegration programs for Indigenous offenders.

In this episode, we meet CSC’s hard-working health professionals who take us behind the scenes to give us a glimpse into what it’s like to provide health services to inmates in federal prisons across the country.

CSC is mandated by law to provide essential health care to inmates, which we know in turn contributes to safer prisons for our staff and safer communities for the public. Go behind the scenes with our health professionals who are working hard to make a difference and keep everyone safe every day.

In 2002, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that denying inmates the right to vote was a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In this episode, we will hear from the offender who challenged the law and made voting possible for all federally incarcerated people and from Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff on how voting works in a federal prison.

Public safety is a 24/7 responsibility, especially for the team at Correctional Service Canada’s (CSC) National Monitoring Centre (NMC). As the eyes and ears of CSC, especially during the critical after-hours, the NMC plays a vital role in maintaining public safety, monitoring offenders on various types of releases in the community to keep Canadians safe.

In this episode, we speak with Daniel Kletke, a supervisor at the NMC, to learn how he and his team manage this crucial and dynamic responsibility.

"I've found so many positive things, and even now I'm learning so much more about myself than I did three years ago when I when I met with the offender."

In part two of this episode, we continue Angie's story. This time, we hear from the offender who sat across from her in a face-to-face meeting through the Restorative Opportunities program. Later, Angie returns to reflect on that conversation and share her final thoughts on what the program has meant to her healing journey.

Episode resources:

• Information for victims
• Resources for victims
• Restorative Opportunities Program (victim-offender mediation)
• 20 years of Restorative Opportunities