Correctional Service of Canada

Correctional Service of Canada (CSC; French: Service correctionnel du Canada, SCC) is the federal agency responsible for the administration of sentences of two years or more imposed by Canadian courts. CSC operates correctional institutions at multiple security levels, community correctional centres, and community supervision across Canada. It delivers rehabilitation, education, employment, health, and reintegration services with public safety as the overriding consideration. CSC is part of the Public Safety Canada portfolio and works closely with the Parole Board of Canada.

At a glance — Correctional Service of Canada

Type	Federal agency (Public Safety portfolio)
Mandate	Administer sentences ≥ 2 years • Safe, secure, humane custody • Programs & reintegration • Community supervision
Legal basis	Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) • Regulations • Criminal Code (sentencing) • Canadian Victims Bill of Rights
Facilities	Minimum • Medium • Maximum • Multi-level • Women’s institutions • Healing lodges • Community Correctional Centres
Key partners	Parole Board of Canada • Public Safety Canada • Royal Canadian Mounted Police • Canada Border Services Agency • Provinces/territories • NGOs & Indigenous partners
Official site	csc-scc.gc.ca

Mandate and legal framework

CSC’s purpose is to contribute to the maintenance of a just, peaceful, and safe society by carrying out sentences through the safe and humane custody and supervision of offenders and by assisting in their rehabilitation and reintegration. Authorities derive primarily from the CCRA and its Regulations, complemented by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Criminal Code, and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

Organization and governance

CSC is led by a Commissioner headquartered in Ottawa and is organized into five regions: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie, and Pacific, with area and institutional management structures. National headquarters provides policy, performance measurement, health services governance, security intelligence, and corporate support.

Institutions, security, and intelligence

CSC operates a network of institutions at minimum, medium, and maximum security, as well as multi-level sites and stand-alone women’s institutions. Security operations include perimeter and dynamic security, drug-interdiction, institutional intelligence, and emergency response teams. Community Correctional Centres provide structured accommodation for some individuals on conditional release.

Offender intake, case management, and programs

Following intake, CSC conducts risk/needs assessments and develops a Correctional Plan that guides program placement, security level, and release planning. Evidence-based programs address criminogenic needs such as substance use, violence prevention, sexual offending, and family/relationships. Education, vocational training, and employment initiatives—including CORCAN (industrial and employment programming)—support employability.

Health care and mental health

CSC delivers essential health services within its jurisdiction, including primary care, mental health, public health, and pharmacy services, with referrals to community or provincial facilities as needed. Specialized mental-health services provide screening, assessment, treatment, and transition supports pre- and post-release.

Indigenous and northern corrections

CSC works with Indigenous communities and organizations to deliver culturally informed services. Under sections 81 and 84 of the CCRA, agreements may transfer care and custody to Indigenous communities (e.g., healing lodges) and ensure community involvement in release planning. Elders, Indigenous liaison officers, and Pathways Units support cultural continuity and healing.

Women offenders

Gender-responsive approaches include women’s institutions, structured living environments, mother-child programs (as policy permits), trauma-informed interventions, and community supports tailored to women’s pathways to offending.

Community supervision and conditional release

Upon conditional release (e.g., day parole or full parole) or statutory release, CSC supervises offenders in the community under conditions set by the Parole Board of Canada. Supervision includes case management, urinalysis as authorized, electronic monitoring where piloted/available, and graduated responses to non-compliance, always prioritizing public safety.

Victims services and information

Registered victims may receive notifications, submit statements for PBC hearings, and request certain information consistent with law. CSC collaborates with the PBC to facilitate participation and protect privacy.

Oversight, accountability, and transparency

Independent oversight is provided by the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI), which investigates complaints and systemic issues. Additional accountability comes from the courts, the Auditor General, privacy and human rights bodies, and public reporting (Departmental Plans/Results Reports, evaluations, research summaries).

Research, evaluation, and data

CSC conducts and publishes research on corrections, program effectiveness, Indigenous and women’s corrections, and public safety outcomes. Current population counts, performance indicators, and recidivism metrics are reported in official publications and open data.

External links (official)

Correctional Service of Canada — Home: https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/
Office of the Correctional Investigator — Home: https://www.oci-bec.gc.ca/