Sapers served as the Correctional Investigator of Canada from 2004 – 2016, bringing attention to issues in the correctional system, including the over-representation of Indigenous offenders, inadequate conditions for women offenders, and the effects of legislation.
Recently, Sapers completed two years as the Independent Advisor on Correctional Reform for Ontario, where he investigated the overuse of segregation and institutional violence.
“Having Howard speak is very timely,” said Laurel Whitney, NIC instructor of Humanities and Social Sciences. “Many of our criminology students are planning careers in corrections and they need to know about the challenges the system is facing.”
His presentation, Does Prison Oversight Matter? will touch on some of his most recent recommendations for change and on what lies ahead for the future of Canadian Corrections.
“There is increasing public awareness of the complexity and challenges of the current corrections system,” said Whitney. “Prisons are getting expensive to run and they don't have a good track record. We need to explore more community-based corrections alternatives. Howard has a great deal of knowledge and experience to share with us and I am pleased that we are able to provide this opportunity for the broader community to join us in hearing from him.”
The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session. The event is free, and all are welcome to attend.
