Today on Listen Up – As Canada’s federal government takes steps to
crack down on crime and criminals others point to the need for reform
within our country’s prisons.
Canada’s justice system has been
making headlines. Our federal government has tabled a bill that if
passed, would toughen sentences for crimes involving firearms. Other
bills will eliminate conditional sentences for serious and violent
offences and make it easier to designate criminals as dangerous
offenders. They’re also preparing sweeping changes to the Youth
Criminal Justice Act. In short – they’re calling for more criminals to
be sent to jail and stay there for longer terms.
We’ll speak
with Canada’s Correctional Investigator to get his thoughts on how
these proposed changes could impact Canada’s prisons.
We’ll also
hear from people who work with offenders inside Canada’s prisons, a man
whose family has been touched by violent crime, and two people who have
served sentences in Canada’s federal penitentiaries.
Howard Sapers is Canada’s Correctional Investigator, acting as an
Ombudsman for federal offenders. In the wake of the government’s
proposed toughening of criminal penalties, Mr. Sapers released his
annual report to parliament on the state of this country’s prison
system.
Correctional Investigator Supports Calls for Prison Reforms
OTTAWA, April 27, 2006 – Today, Howard Sapers, Correctional
Investigator, congratulated the Canadian Journal of Criminology and
Criminal Justice (CJCCJ) for publishing a special issue about
prisoners’ human rights and the need for oversight. As
Canada’s prison Ombudsman, Mr. Sapers remains concerned about
fair and humane treatment of federal offenders.
“Through respecting the human rights of offenders, we as a
society convey a strong message that everyone, regardless of their
circumstance, race, social status, gender or religion, is to be treated
with inherent respect and dignity” says Mr. Sapers. “The
best argument for observing human rights standards is not merely that
they are required by international or domestic law, but that they
actually work better than any known alternative – for offenders,
for correctional staff and for society at large. Compliance with human
rights obligations improves, though does not guarantee, the likelihood
of releasing a more responsible citizen in a timely fashion” adds
Mr. Sapers.
The tenth anniversary this month of the release of the landmark report
by Madame Justice Louise Arbour, now UN High Commissioner of Human
Rights, concerning the treatment of offenders at the Prison for Women
in Kingston (Ontario) is an opportune time for a special issue of the
CJCCJ. Despite subsequent calls for correctional reforms, many of
Madame Justice Arbour’s recommendations have not yet been fully
implemented.
A number of articles in this special issue call for reforms previously
made by Mr. Sapers in his past Annual Reports to Parliament. These
include the introduction of independent adjudication for administrative
segregation; the urgency to improve the Correctional Service’s
inmate grievance process to ensure fair and timely resolution of
offender complaints; the necessity to improve access to programming and
services specifically designed to meet the needs of women, Aboriginals,
and offenders with mental health concerns; and the need for Canada to
sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against
Torture to strengthen external oversight mechanisms.
Our Mission is
to challenge, equip, and serve the body of Christ in its ministry to
prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims, and to promote
the advancement of restorative justice. Who we are
Prison Fellowship Canada (PFC) is a prayer-based, Christian ministry
dedicated to meeting the needs of those affected by crime. Through
volunteer chapters and prayer cells across the country, PF volunteers
bring the life-changing gospel to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their
families. Prison Fellowship International
PF Canada is a charter member of Prison Fellowship International,
www.pfi.org. With over 100,000 volunteers in 105 countries, PFI is the
largest international ministry in the criminal justice field. The
president of PFI is Ron Nikkel, a Canadian. Our beginning
In 1980, Prison Fellowship became a charter member of PFI when former
Watergate conspirator and Nixon aide, Chuck Colson, and former Canadian
Cabinet Minister, Paul Hellyer, met to discuss bringing Prison
Fellowship to Canada. In Chuck Colson’s words, ”I was
thrilled when Paul, together with a few close friends, responded to my
challenge to begin the first PF ministry outside the U.S.. What
began with Paul and that small group of friends in Ottawa is today a
movement of hundreds of men and women that stretches across
Canada. From the Yukon to Southern Ontario and from Vancouver
Island to the Maritimes, God is touching the lives of prisoners,
ex-prisoners and their families through this remarkable ministry.”
PROGRAMS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES:
Prison Fellowship has a variety of programs to fit most situations and
to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the institution, individual
or family. In-prison Bible study
PF volunteers using PF materials specially designed to bring the Gospel
to prisoners on a weekly basis. For many, this is the first time
they have considered the Gospel. Chapel services
PF volunteers participate in or lead Sunday Chapel services either in a
chapel setting or a few cells at a time, depending on the security
situation. One-to-one mentoring
Volunteers meet with a prisoner, usually once a week, over an extended
period of time to bring encouragement and fellowship to someone who may
have been forgotten by others on the “outside”. Literacy training
Because the average reading level of an adult Canadian prisoner is
grade 5, literacy skills can make a big difference in a
prisoner’s ability to learn and an ex-prisoners ability to find
employment. Discipleship
Once a prisoner accepts Christ into their life, PF Canada volunteers nurture the new Christian with discipleship and fellowship. Crafts/Leisure activities
Although sometimes not thought of as ministry, spending time doing
crafts or planting flowers is often an opportunity to build rapport and
trust. These activities often lead to an opportunity to share
one’s faith. Pre-release training
Prison Fellowship’s “The Road Home” is a program to
help prisoners prepare for the day when they will return to the
community. The program prepares the prisoner for new or renewed
relationships as well as practical lessons in areas like money
management and life skills based on biblical principles. In-prison seminars
A variety of in-prison seminars are available to the volunteer ranging
in subjects from the “Power of Words” to ”Parenting
from Prison”. In-prison marriage seminars are also available. Music ministry
Music is a powerful motivator and PF volunteers provide simple
guitar accompanied choruses to full concerts as a way of reaching
prisoners. Aftercare Programs
These programs provide training for local churches and individuals
throughout the whole community to support recently released inmates in
re-integrating into society. Pen Pal
Pen Pal is an opportunity to “visit prison in an
envelope”. Ideal for shut-ins or those living far from a
prison, Pen Pal is a safe way to minister to a prisoner. Angel Tree
Angel Tree is an opportunity to break the cycle of crime by ministering
to a prisoner’s child at Christmas. Gifts are purchased and
delivered to the children in the parent’s name. This is an
excellent opportunity to minister not only to the children but also the
child’s caregiver, the Chaplain, the prisoner and the local
church. Books & Bibles
Providing Bibles and other Christian material is a very effective
ministry. PF Canada has special prisoner’s Bibles and other
specially prepared material to minister specifically to prisoners. Visitor transportation
Providing transportation to children and spouses of prisoners who might
not otherwise be able to visit, is a ministry that helps keep a family
together. Office help
Due to the limited number of employees, our national office and field
staff rely heavily on the service of volunteers. Opportunities
range from envelope stuffing to videotaping. If you have a skill
that you would like to offer, or some free time to help out, please
contact the national office. Other opportunities
The opportunities to minister through Prison Fellowship are limited
only by the needs we encounter. Prison Fellowship is a
needs-driven ministry where Chaplains or prisoners express a need and
we try and fill it. By being open to new opportunities,
volunteers are better able to follow God’s leading and everyone
benefits.
ANGEL TREE INTIATIVE – How to Help and Volunteer
(Shopping for Christmas Presents for Children of inmates!)
Please contact the Prison Fellowship national office at:
P.O. Box 19510, RPO Manulife,
Toronto, ON M4W 3T9
or call us at:
1-888-470-2748 or in Toronto at 416-848-4793
Breaking the cycle of crime by sharing the love of Christ with children of inmates.
All too often, the forgotten victims of crime are the little children
of inmates, who are left without a father or mother - through no fault
of their own. We all pay the price for this: the evidence is clear that
children with a parent in prison are more likely to end up in prison
themselves someday. Now you can join Angel Tree, a ministry of Prison
Fellowship Canada, and help break this cycle of crime by sharing the
love of Jesus Christ with the children of inmates.
Prison Fellowship Canada’s Angel Tree ministry includes Angel Tree Christmas and Angel Tree Camping.
Christmas:
In early fall, incarcerated dads and moms can sign up to have Christian
volunteers deliver gifts to their children at Christmas (volunteers
contact the at-home parent or caregiver to make sure that’s
O.K.). The Christmas gifts are presented as being from the mom or dad
in prison--assuring the children that they haven’t been forgotten!
Camping:
Through Angel Tree Camping, prisoners’ children have an
opportunity to attend one of many summer camps that combine fun and
adventurous activities with Bible teaching. Costs are covered by
participating churches and individual donations.
How YOU Can Help
1) Volunteer with Angel Tree
Across Canada, thousands of children of prisoners are waiting for
someone to take an interest in them. The need is tremendous; the chance
to reach young people for the Kingdom of God, even greater.
There are a wide variety of opportunities for Angel Tree volunteers -
from praying for the Angel Tree programme and individual Angel Tree
children and their parents and caregivers, to purchasing gifts and
preparing gift bags, delivering the gifts, and following up with the
family after Christmas.
Camping volunteers can help with driving children to and from camp,
purchasing camp supplies, and also following up with Angel Tree campers.
Whatever time you're able to give, a child near you will thank you for it.
Many churches have also "adopted" Angel Tree ministries in their
communities, giving food baskets, holding clothing drives or special
offerings, or even adding the Angel Tree ministry to their regular
prayer chain.
2) Donate to Angel Tree
Your financial gift to the Angel Tree programme enables us augment the
work of our volunteer sponsors, especially in purchasing gifts for
children in remote parts of this country, where it’s difficult to
find sponsors. Your donations also help us to cover the rising costs of
getting all the materials out to our volunteers.
Prison Fellowship Canada (PFC) is a registered charitable organization
and all gifts are tax deductible. PFC is a member of the Canadian
Council of Christian Charities.
You can send your donation via a cheque, VISA or MasterCard.
Mission Statement
Effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime.
Description
The John Howard Society of Canada is an organization of provincial and
territorial Societies comprised of and governed by people whose goal is
to understand and respond to problems of crime and the criminal justice
system. They are fiscally responsible for the continuance of the work
and service of the National Office.
Methods
In furtherance of its Mission, the Society:
works with people who have come into conflict with the law,
reviews, evaluates and advocates for changes in the criminal justice process,
engages in public education on matters relating to criminal law and its application, and
promotes crime prevention through community and social development activities.
More specifically, the Society engages in the following:
Advocacy, which includes active, planned
and frequent contact with the media, key government policy analysis,
advisors and politicians and committees with respect to the promotion
of the objectives of the John Howard Society of Canada;
Research related to the development and
dissemination of briefs and positions on matters of national importance
which incorporates positions of member societies in the furtherance of
the objectives of the John Howard Society of Canada;
Communication with members societies to
promote a coordinated consultative process which allows the national
society to monitor and respond to the needs of members and facilitate
joint projects between the John Howard Society of Canada and its
members;
Community Education which focusses on the
sharing of information among members and the promotion of the
objectives of the John Howard Society of Canada to the members through
board development activities and broad based community education
initiatives which enhances the role of the John Howard Society
throughout Canada;
Coalition building through a coordinated
process of information sharing and the dissemination of materials with
other like minded national organizations;
Resource development initiatives to
strengthen the ability of the national office to further the objectives
of the John Howard Society of Canada.
It was the great Russian novelist, Fyodor
Dostoyefski that said “the degree of civilization in a society can be
judged by entering its prisons.” As Canada works to find the balance
between protecting vulnerable citizens and correction we’ve heard today
from ex criminals who said don’t forget its more than politics and
punishment needed for crime. Former cons who said they needed the
light of Christ to be part of prison. The agency we featured today –
Prison Fellowship, and its program to help families of prisoners, Angel
Tree offers ways you can bring that reality to Canada’s prisons –
that’s their perspective on the news calling for tougher crackdown on
crime - - please check them out at our website at LU TV.com Share
the show with a friend on line or in podcast ….I’m Lorna D, thanks for
joining us.
REV. DON SCHIEMANN
On
March 3, 2005, RCMP officer Peter Schiemann was gunned down with three
fellow officers, during a stakeout on the property of a suspected
marijuana grow operation, in Mayerthorpe, Alberta. It was the single
greatest loss of life in the RCMP in more than a century. The killer,
James Roszko, was known to police as a violent criminal. At the time of
the shooting, he was due in court the following month.
Constable
Schiemann’s father, Don, is a Lutheran pastor. In the year since his
son’s death, he has joined his voice to those calling for a complete
review of parole and sentencing criteria.
A Word From Those Touched By Angel Tree … from an inmate My
name is Peter Norman (not real name), and I’m doing a life sentence at
a federal prison in Kingston, Ontario. I’ve been in the prison system
since 1992, and I’ve experienced a whole lot of things that will render
me from not making the same mistakes or any other mistakes that will
cause me to come back. Enough about me, and the things that I have experienced on the inside …. I
would like to thank the Angel Tree foundation for putting a joyous
smile on my kids’ faces when it comes to Christmas and summer time. I
am grateful and thankful to all the volunteers that made it possible to
meet the needs of all the unfortunate children whose fathers are in
prison. I would also like to send a special thank you to one of your
volunteers by the name of Magda Shakouri, Angel Tree Coordinator, who
has been an Angel in my children’s lives. I greatly appreciate her
dedication, her devotion, her willingness and her spiritual influence
in my family’s life!! She has made a big impact in their lives as well
as mine. Why? I am locked away from my loved ones and yet someone
else is treating them with utmost respect and kindness without looking
back for anything in return!! Anyhow,
I would also like to send my blessings as well as my thank you to the
founder or the founders of the Angel Tree organization for helping the
prisoners’ children to have a happy and tremendous Christmas, New Year,
and summer by God’s will!! May God continue to bless the Angel Tree
organization as well as the hortical (sincere) volunteer workers who
have given their time to comfort our families!!
- Inmate,
Federal Prison
… from a Prison Administrator On
behalf of the prison chaplain and our staff, I would like to thank you
in advance for helping us to facilitate the Angel Tree Program for the
last year of operation. It is and will continue to be a stressful
year, and your flexibility is greatly appreciated. I have set to work
on the application forms, gathering some of the necessary information.
This has given me a small insight into the enormity of the task that
you and your organization undertake each year. I
have enclosed a letter from the inmate committee which expresses how
much the Angel Tree Program means to them. Many of the women would
have been devastated without this option, so thank you again for
helping to make this happen, and for ensuring that no child will be
without a present at Christmas.
- Volunteer Coordinator,
Provincial Women’s Prison
… from a volunteer I
wanted to take a moment to share what being involved in the Angel Tree
Christmas programme meant to me … One of the prayers I pray is that the
Lord presents me with ministry opportunities to help me keep my sights
on Him rather than the day to day struggles of life… I was given the
opportunity to buy gifts for three children and present them on behalf
of their incarcerated parents. The happiness and joy on the faces of
the beloved children warmed my heart…At the second visit .. a miracle.
One of the family wanted to have all which God had for her and made a
personal commitment to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour… The
experience of giving and the blessing to my life is one I would
encourage any person to experience.
- John,
Angel Tree Volunteer
… from PFC volunteer Angel Tree Coordinator As
the Angel Tree Co-ordinator I am able to share the many testimonies of
the pastors, missionaries and various Christian individuals during our
Christmas Programme. At Christmas time, there is a lot of crying on my
part, reading the requests of the prisoners for their children.
Sometimes it proves overwhelming because it shows that what we take for
granted can mean everything to a prisoner. The more I read the
applications, the gifts requested and the messages the parents want on
the Angel Tree Tag, the heavier the burden for Angel Tree to succeed
becomes. While
speaking to a Pastor in Northern Ontario for last year’s Christmas
regarding one of the applications that he was going to take, he asked
me to give him an idea of what gift to purchase. I read to him “a pair
of warm mitts and a toque” as the first choice and “any piece of warm
clothing” for the second choice. The two of us started to cry on the
phone and prayed for this family. I had so many requests for mitts and
hats that today I have a retired neighbour (Marge) who is knitting
mitts and hats for our this year’s Angel Tree Christmas. As
a volunteer, my husband Ross and I are also part of Angel Tree Camping.
I drove two of the children to a Christian camp and back. Hearing the
two boys sing songs of worship to Jesus on their way home brought tears
to my eyes, as well as their mother’s, and my husband’s. The mother had
said on our way up to Camp Mini-Yo-We in Muskoka, “I have been praying
that they would be touched by Jesus while at the camp.” My husband
looked at me and said, “This is what it is all about” I looked back to
the Mom and said “Jesus answered your prayer!” The two boys and mother
have become part of our lives. I am humbled and in awe by what God does
through Angel Tree and it is to Him that the glory and honour belongs -
not me.
- Magda Shakouri
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On April 30, 2005 Lorna was privileged to receive an honorary Doctorate of Christian Ministries from Canada's largest Christian university, Trinity Western University. Lorna was recognized for the witness and leadership that Listen Up TV has provided in public messaging: "a leader in the voice of evangelical life in Canada."
