POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE (PRC)

The PRC is one of the most active and important committees struck by the Canadian Criminal Justice Association; this body monitors the work of Parliament and emerging trends in Canadian criminal justice policy. The Policy Review Committee meets 9 times per year, with a winter and a summer recess. It is composed of a diverse group of individuals who represent various perspectives in the criminal justice field, and appeals to those interested in policy debates, legislative change, Parliamentary politics, and, generally speaking, the major issues of the day.

Chair: Stacey Hannem
Secretary: Mellington Godoy
Members: John Braithwaite, Ashley Butts, Mihael Cole, Veronica Felizardo, Alexandre E. Flynn, Willie Gibbs, Wayne Hanniman, Kate Hilbig, Irving Kulik, Roland LaHaye, Tamara Morgenthau, Brian Smegal, Lynn Smith, Tim Stuempel, Matthew Yeager.

Members on this committee should be members of the CCJA, but they may be invited guests as well.

To open membership participation across Canada, by correspondence or by conference call, the committee has established 2 types of membership:

REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE :

• These are the voting members of the committee (half + one constitutes a motion passed) and they recommend the strategic directions, briefs, presentations, research etc. for the committee to carry out.
   
• They exude a willingness to monitor an issue, research policy, and even draft testimony on behalf of the CCJA.

Expectations and requirements :

• when possible, they contribute to committee projects, including briefs, events, research, and debate
• they are expected to provide feedback on all correspondence
• they inform and raise awareness within the committee in relation to events, trends, legislative reforms etc., in the field of criminal justice in Canada
• the attendance of at least 60 % of Committee members is required at PRC meetings (teleconferencing is also available)
• members are allowed to send a representative in their place, who may speak on their behalf
• their attendance at House of Commons debates is encouraged
• the Committee is expected to conduct an annual review of the PRC/Corresponding membership and highlight strengths, as well as areas for improvement

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS OF THE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE :

Corresponding members of the Policy Review Committee play an integral role to the overall success and effectiveness of the PRC. Corresponding Members offer diverse perspectives based on a wide array of study, research, work and life experiences. These strengths provide the committee with a significant knowledge base that allows the Committee to assemble and put forth an informed product. Corresponding members :

• receive the agendas and minutes of all meetings
• inform and raise awareness within the committee of events, trends, legislative reforms, etc. in the field of criminal justice in Canada
• may put forth ideas for the committee to discuss/research
• provide feedback on materials that are distributed by the committee via email (or other preferred method);
• are required to provide detailed feedback/input on briefs intended for the House of commons
• attendance at committee meetings is not expected, but is welcome (teleconferencing is also available)
• attendance at House of Commons debates is encouraged

The Policy Review Committee will utilize its access to the Association’s JUSTICE REPORT to express the views of the Committee.

AWARDS COMMITTEE

The Awards Committee represents the various elements of the Criminal Justice System, as well as the regions of Canada, i.e.:

• 2 representatives of the Criminal Justice System
• 1 representative of the Executive Committee
• 2 representatives from the Executive Committee of two affiliates

Duties of the Awards Committee

The Awards Committee shall :

• Receive the nominations for awards
• Verify the eligibility of the persons nominated
• Verify the information received and obtain additional information regarding nominees, as required
• Apply the selection criteria
• Recommend to the President of the Canadian Criminal Justice Association, the nominee(s) to receive Award(s) and the type of Award(s) to be granted

Objectives of the Awards Program :

• Recognize the contribution of individuals to the field of criminal justice;
• Encourage creativity, innovation and continuous improvement in the Criminal Justice System; and
• Maintain high standards of performance by persons working in the Criminal Justice System.

Appearance of the Awards

The Canadian Criminal Justice Association Awards are of:

• High quality and
• Consistent format

Records of the Awards

A permanent record of the recipients of each award is retained in the offices of the Canadian Criminal Justice Association.

Call for Nominations

The Canadian Criminal Justice Association issues a call for nominations in April of each year when a Congress is held. The call for nominations is included in the publications of the Canadian Criminal Justice Association. All nominations are to be forwarded to the Chair of the Awards Committee.

Awards

• The Senator Earl A. Hastings Award
   
• Achievement Award
   
• Public Education Award
   
• Research Award
   
• Crime Prevention Award
   
• Certificate of Appreciation

SOCIAL ISSUES COMMITTEE

This committee replaces three pre-existing committees: the Committee on Crime Prevention, the Committee on Community-Based Corrections, and the Women Issues Committee.

This committee should be very active in including other groups like aboriginal people and ethno-cultural minorities, along with women.

Objectives

• To inform and advise the Board of Directors about issues and concerns of persons affected by the
  criminal justice system, particularly women, aboriginal people, homeless, victims of crime, etc.
   
• To promote the exchange of information and initiatives pertaining to justice matters.
   
• To increase public awareness regarding crime prevention and a more humane and effective Justice system.
   
• To develop and maintain currency in national initiatives concerning community-based corrections, alternatives to incarceration, intermediate sanctions, programs of community service, the role of community residential facilities, intensive supervision, impediments to release, suspensions of early release, and legislative reforms which will further community safety and crime prevention.
   
• To develop a communication and implementation plan relative to social issues in corrections.

Proposed Activities

A series of events which further the goals: conferences, orientation training, partnerships with other agencies in order to:

• Promote Restorative Justice approaches
• Develop initiative project on statutory release and risk.
• Organize national conference on Successes, develop future steps, achieve buy-in from others

PUBLIC AWARENESS & VISIBILITY COMMITTEE

Managing public relations and ensuring the Association’s visibility are of primary importance and constitute a continuous goal. It is incumbent upon the president and the ED to ensure its achievement, but they must be supported by real implication on the part of all our members who have access to a wide network of contacts. This task is an imperative one for our association. The preservation of good relationships with departments, agencies and with the sponsors is a must.

Objectives

• To improve the visibility of CCJA, its communications, and public relations:
• To increase and retain the membership of CCJA
• To develop initiatives, which were incorporated in the Business Plan
• To rejuvenate the provincial affiliates.
   
• To support the activities of the CCJA by raising funds, specifically:
• To address financial shortfalls
• To support new and continuing initiatives

Potential Activities Linked to Fundraising:

• Identify persons to serve on Fundraising Committee
   
• Consult with Board of Directors, Advisory Council and Members of CCJA to identify
  potential fundraising initiatives.
   
• Prepare a marketing package, including identifying CCJA key accomplishments, to provide to potential contributors.
  
• Identify potential project involvement and support from Federal and Provincial governments and private foundations.
   
• Consult with the business community to identify fundraising initiatives.
   
• Identify potential endorsements.

How to do it ?

• Review “Congress-related activities” as potential revenue sources.
   
• Consult with ACA fundraisers to identify potential areas for fundraising.
   
• Review potential foundation funding in support of the CCJA.
   
• Identify potential corporate sponsors.
   
• Continue and encourage the president’s renewal campaign.