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This chapter introduces us to the federal correctional system in Canada. Most Canadians have limited, if any, exposure to what actually happens inside a correctional institution. Our conceptions of what goes on inside prisons are usually influenced by what we have been exposed to by the media (and it is usually the worst aspects of what goes on inside that we are privy to). The chapter provides a much more realistic picture of prison life in a federal penitentiary. The chapter begins with a historical overview of the first Canadian penitentiaries which provides a starting point to assess the changes in the federal system over time.
Challenges that our modern-day institutions face are presented and suggestions for dealing with inmates, in particular inmates that require additional supports and resources, such as aging prisoners, mothers, and prisoners with mental health problems are examined. Additional challenges around inmate safety and security, effective inmate assessment and programming, and successful reintegration are introduced.
Although prisons are intended to protect society from offenders, they also must treat offenders humanely and provide a safe environment for them while they are institutionalized. This is all supposed to happen under the umbrella of rehabilitation so that inmates can successfully reintegrate back into the community as law-abiding citizens. There is little agreement about how to achieve all of these correctional goals. These is agreement however that effective assessment of individual offender risk and need is essential to success. Although today’s correctional systems are much better than in the past (e.g., correctional personnel are more professional, the facilities are designed and operated differently) and we have a much better understanding of the types of programs that help offenders make a more successful transition into the community, correctional violence, suicide, self-injurious behaviours, and prison misconduct still remain problems.