How To Work With Canadian Inmates Is

How To Work With Canadian Inmates

Is There Any Differences…? Time is just TIME…Right? Wrong!

Correctional Systems American Canadian 1. Misdemeanor Offences 2. Felony Offences 1. Summary Offences 2. Indictable Offences 3. State Sentences 4. Federal Offences 3. Provincial Sentences a. Two Years Less a Day 4. Federal Sentences a. Two Years to Life

Correctional Systems American • Professes Capitol Punishment • Some States Carry the Death Penalty • Life Sentence 1. After serving a life sentence a convicted person goes free. (Contd. ) Canadian • Does Not Endorse Capitol Punishment • No Province can Carry Out Death Penalty • Life Sentence 1. Any person convicted of a life sentence actually reports to a Parole Officer for Life even if or after he/she gets out of prison.

Correctional Services of Canada • Indeterminate Sentences: – Lifers or Life Sentence holders – Report before the National Parole Board (NPB) three years before their Parole eligibility date i. e. Life twenty-five years can only report after serving twenty-two years and every second year thereafter if unsuccessful

• Determinate Sentences: – Prisoners only complete two-third sentence – This is called Statutory Release – Conditions placed on them by the NPB 1. Could stay at a Half-Way House 2. May have to take programs and/or both 3. But must report to a Parole Officer until 4. End of the sentence or on the Warrant Expiry Date (WED)

DID YOU KNOW • Canada’s incarceration rate by comparison per 100, 000 general population: Denmark Finland France Germany Switzerland Canada England United States 64 70 85 95 68 116 139 702

Correctional Systems (Contd. ) • United States has more Prisoners than Canada v. More Women, More Men & More Young People • Crimes are more violent in The United States • More Time spent in prison in the United States • Both Correctional Systems are inundated with GANGS • More Deaths Occur in United States Prisons!

BASIC FACTS ABOUT THE c. s. c. (Correctional Services of Canada)

DID YOU KNOW… • There were approximately 2. 8 million crimes reported to police in 2003 • During 2002 -03 only 4, 281 offenders were sentenced to Federal jurisdiction

Total Expenditures: 2003 -04 • $1. 5 Billion • $976 M – Salaries • $110 M – Capital Exp. • $435 M – Operating • Represents 1% of total spending by CSC & NPB (Fed Gov)

Average Annual Cost: Inmate • Women - $150, 867 (multilevel security) • Men: • $110, 223 (Maximum) • $71, 640 (Medium) • $74, 431 (Minimum) **Women are fewer in number** • $19, 755 (Stat /Parolee)

Employment by CSC • 14, 906 indeterminate • 15, 900 Total

Federal Correctional Facilities Levels Atlantic Quebec Ontario Prairies Pacific Totals MAX 1 3 2 1 1 8 MED 2 5 5 3* 3 18 MIN 1 3 4 6 3 17 MULTI 2 2 1 4 2 11 Community 4 6 3 3 1 17 10 19 15 17 10 71 Totals

Penitentiaries (of various levels) including treatment centers & annexes Community Correctional Centers Parole Offices Addictions Research Center Regional Headquarters & Staff Colleges Correctional Management Learning Ctr National Headquarters CSC partners with community-based, non-government organizations that run community-based residential facilities 54 17 71 1 5 1 1 200

Offender Populations: 2003 -04 Admissions • Men: 7, 308 (of which 1, 317 were aboriginal) • Women: 386 (of which 106 were aboriginal)

How Many Inmates: April 11, 2004 Levels Max Med Min Net yet classified Total Men Women 1, 737 (14%) of which 367 (17%) aboriginal 7, 359 (61%) of which 1, 387 (64%) aboriginal 2, 226 (18%) of which 318 (15%) aboriginal 712 (6%) of which 111 (5%) aboriginal 12, 034 (100%) which 2, 193 (18%) aboriginal 39 (9%) of which 13 (12%) aboriginal 170 (45%) of which 58 (54%) aboriginal 140 (37%) of which 27 (25%) aboriginal 33 (9%) of which 10 (9%) aboriginal 379 (100%) which 108 (28%) aboriginal

So How Do You Minister…? • • • Prayerfully Respectfully Sincerely Gratefully Humbly And with LOVE

“No Greater Love has No man, than he gives his life for a friend…”

How…? • Prison Ministry in Canada is not as charismatic as in the United States • It is more Mellow • Not really designed for “Rallies” etc. . • But FIRST need to establish a good relationship with the Chaplain: …you “serve at the pleasure” of the Chaplain • …and sound relationship with the inmates

Be Genuine in Approach • • Seek their Well Being at all times Anchor it in the Good News of Jesus Christ One step and One inmate at a time As the relationship develops the inmates will: ü Ask questions about your faith ü Why you believe what you do? ü How you pray the way you do? Yes, THEY WILL SEE AND NOTE THE DIFFERENCES!

Be Patient… • • Remember, all you have to do is show up The Holy Spirit will do the rest …In His own timing The meeting is between them and God You are an instrument of His Peace Therefore, make yourself right with God Follow His leading and in all wisdom

Be Prayerful… • • Pray before you enter the prison Pray before you start your service Pray during your service Finish your service with prayer Remember to pray for the inmates present Pray for the inmates not present Pray for the guards and the staff Pray for the institution/prison – those in charge

Be Vigilant… • Changes will come • It must come through YOU first! • Then you will see the miracles ahead • Why…? • God is Faithful!

Miracles can and still happen…! God never sleeps nor slumbers…He blesses and continues to bless us, despite ourselves!

As Stewarts… • Of God greatest commodity …humankind! • We must Lead as we have been Led. • By the Master Shepherd, Jesus!

“Come Follow Me!”

Contact Information • • Pastor Oliver Johnson, Correctional Chaplain Edmonton Institution P. O. Box 2290 21611 Meridian Street Edmonton, AB, T 5 J 3 H 7 Phone no: (780) 472 -4918 Fax no: (780) 495 -6304 • Email: johnsonoo@csc-scc. gc. ca ojohnbil@xplornet. com