For Immediate Release
OTTAWA, December 11, 2012 - Today, Mr. Howard Sapers, Correctional Investigator of Canada, is pleased to announce that M. Jean-Claude Bernheim, Lecturer at Laval University, has been presented with the 2012 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award.
In presenting the award, Mr. Sapers acknowledged M. Bernheim's distinguished career as a leading criminologist and advocate for fair and humane treatment of prisoners. "Jean-Claude has made a tremendous and exemplary contribution to the advancement of human rights and corrections in Québec, Canada and around the world," said Mr. Sapers. "He is a distinguished and deserving recipient of the values and service that this award represents."
A Criminologist by training, M. Bernheim has devoted his career to the advancement of human rights for prisoners on both the Canadian and world stage. M. Bernheim has published extensively on the treatment of prisoners in Canada - with a special focus on criminal justice issues affecting his home province of Quebec. Affiliated with several prominent human rights organizations and universities across Canada, he is a well-recognized social justice advocate and scholar.
The award will be presented at Laval University in Quebec City in collaboration with the School of Social Work, the faculty of Social Sciences and l'Association des services de rehabilitation sociale du Québec. The School of Social Work is pleased of this timely recognition as it has just launched a new program in Criminology.
The Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award was established in honour of Mr. Ed McIsaac, long-time Executive Director of the Office of the Correctional Investigator and strong promoter and defender of human rights in federal corrections.
Upon his retirement, Mr. McIsaac was presented with a sculpture by Ms. Audrey Greyeyes, a Cree artist from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, entitled Medicine Man. The sculpture symbolizes wisdom, clarity of thought, and leadership. M. Bernheim will receive a reproduction of the Medicine Man Sculpture. This is the fourth time that the Ed McIsaac Award has been presented since it was first established in December 2008.
As the ombudsman for federally sentenced offenders, the Office of the Correctional Investigator serves Canadians and contributes to safe, lawful and humane corrections through independent oversight of the Correctional Service of Canada by providing accessible, impartial and timely investigation of individual and systemic concerns. Details on nomination procedures for the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award are available on the Office's website at www.oci-bec.gc.ca .
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For more information contact:
Ivan Zinger, J.D. Ph.D.
Executive Director and General Counsel
Office of the Correctional Investigator
Tel: (613) 990-2690
Ivan.Zinger@oci-bec.gc.ca
Date modified
2023-03-15
