1.1 Background
In 1982 CSC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy in the Correctional Service of Canada (IFC) which outlines the relationship and joint responsibility of CSC Chaplaincy and the IFC to provide religious and spiritual care to the people residing and working in federal correctional facilities.
1.2 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy and the Correctional Service of Canada (2000), referred to hereafter as the MOU, describes and governs the relationship between CSC and Canada’s faith communities. It can be accessed at http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/prgrm/chap/mou-eng.shtml.
This MOU contains a number of clauses relating to CSC’s access to information and leadership from Canada’s faith communities in order to fulfil its legal mandate.
1.3 Role & Goal
The role of the IFC is to:
encourage committed religious leaders to participate in providing chaplaincy services within CSC institutions and in the community setting;
participate in evaluating proposals for service provision;
advise on the terms of contracts for chaplaincy services;
share in the evaluation chaplaincy services; and
act as a general consulting body to the Director General Chaplaincy.
An important goal of the IFC is to stimulate involvement by churches and other faith communities in correctional ministry by promoting education and awareness of the needs of inmates, ex-inmates, victims, staff, and families. The IFC also meets with senior CSC managers to encourage them to maintain a high standard of spiritual care services in their institutions and in the community.