Ottawa, December 5, 2023 – Today, Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator of Canada, is very pleased to announce that Susan Haines is the 2023 recipient of the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award.
In presenting the award, Dr. Zinger acknowledged Ms. Haines’s extraordinary career dedicated to social justice, human rights advocacy and community-based corrections. “Susan is a remarkable social justice advocate, a visionary leader and true difference-maker. She has dedicated her life and career to upholding the dignity and rights of justice-involved people. For the past 17 years, Susan has served as the Executive Director of the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice (NAACJ), a network of member organizations that contributes to a just, fair, equitable and effective justice system. She is the glue that brings multiple organizations and volunteers together to serve as agents of change and reform in the criminal justice sector.”
Susan’s community involvement and volunteer experience is extensive. Presently, she serves as a volunteer with the Millhaven Lifers Liaison Group, which provides hope, encouragement, solidarity and information for life-sentenced prisoners in the federal correctional system. Susan is active as an Official Supporter of Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA), which supports the reintegration of individuals who have been incarcerated for sexual offences in their effort to develop a meaningful and safe life in the community. Susan volunteered with the Criminalization and Punishment Education Project from 2013 to 2018 helping to raise awareness of the detrimental impacts of punishment and promote alternatives to incarceration. She was on the planning committee for the International Conference on Penal Abolition in 2015 where she took leadership in coordinating the conference. Susan was a chairing group member of the Smart Justice Network, which focuses on the complex intersections among justice, corrections, poverty, education, health, and mental health. Among other accolades, Susan has been recognized for her efforts in organizing the Exceptional People’s Olympiad (EPO) at Collins Bay Institution and for her significant and distinguished service with the St. Leonard’s Society of Canada (SLSC).
The Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award was established in honour of Mr. Ed McIsaac, who served as Executive Director of the Office of the Correctional Investigator for 18 years. Each recipient of the award receives a reproduction of a sculpture by Ms. Audrey Greyeyes, a Cree artist from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, entitled Medicine Man. The award symbolizes wisdom, clarity of thought and leadership. This year’s ceremony coincides with the Office’s 50th Anniversary. With a number of past recipients in attendance, a special gathering was held to honor Susan. Presented annually since 2009, there have been 14 other recipients of the award.
Details on nomination procedures for the Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award are available on the Office’s website at https://oci-bec.gc.ca/en/content/ed-mcisaac-human-rights-corrections-award-nomination-procedures
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Monette Maillet
Executive Director and General Counsel
Monette.Maillet@oci-bec.gc.ca
613-791-0170
