Public Safety committee  That's correct.

Public Safety committee  No. The minister's position reflects the reality of our position as well. Normally, if sentences are longer, that will probably enable us to act more quickly and give us the time to work on the social reintegration of inmates returning to the community. We think the existing fa

Public Safety committee  I am very impressed. You're very familiar with the things that are happening in the penitentiaries. Obviously, as the minister mentioned, we have serious challenges with respect to gangs, substance abuse issues, and organized crime. In some parts of the country it's more seriou

Public Safety committee  We have decided that within the strategic review. I believe a presentation was done to cabinet, and this measure was identified as a strategic move to enhance our capacity to do it--

Public Safety committee  In terms of the link you make to mental health, obviously, when we occupy an offender, it is always better for the offender to do his time peacefully and then prepare himself and concentrate on the criminogenic...and the needs that have been identified in the correctional plan to

Public Safety committee  Only two people.

Public Safety committee  Good morning, everyone. My name is Marc-Arthur Hyppolite. I am the Senior Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Service of Canada. I studied criminology, sociology, and psychology at the University of Ottawa. I also went to the Collège de Maisonneuve in Montreal. I am here to rep

Public Safety committee  Mr. Chair, we are aware of the recommendation of the correctional investigator with respect to giving line authority to the deputy commissioner for aboriginal women. This question has been examined on several occasions and it is our view that the functional role played by the dep

Public Safety committee  Yes.

Public Safety committee  Mr. Chair, in its 2008 budget Correctional Service Canada received $29.1 million to improve mental health. We have a comprehensive mental health strategy for the institutions, and we also have a community mental health strategy. When aboriginal women arrive at the intake asses

Public Safety committee  A holiday village: the Correctional Service disagrees with that kind of assessment.

Public Safety committee  As you know, the institutions are built in a way that reflects Canadian values. The principles of our mission are very clear on that point. The concepts of rehabilitation and treatment of offenders are very clear in a country as civilized as ours.

Public Safety committee  In terms of recognizing that mental health issues are serious challenges for the Correctional Service of Canada, we agree with Mr. Saper on this. Where we disagree is where he says that no progress has been made. Since 2002 the Correctional Service of Canada has been working ve

Public Safety committee  I would recognize we probably have some challenges in some areas, but I am not aware of any specific offender who's been diagnosed for mental health issues whose needs have not been attended to. Where we do not have, on site, a professional--for example, if someone quits--we have

Public Safety committee  Let me be very specific with respect to the community mental health services that are provided. I can tell you specifically, approximately 50 new positions were created in support of the community mental health services--30 in the community at 16 separate parole offices. In addit