Adding another name to the list of amazing Sikh firsts in Canada, Sawinder (Sav) Singh Bains is the first turbaned Sikh, appointed by the Correctional Service of Canada, as the institutional head of a federal prison in Canada. He was appointed as the Warden of Fraser Valley Institution in Abbotsford.
A glimpse into his life
With a Bachelor's degree from Simon Fraser University, Bains began his career with CSC in 2002 as a Correctional Officer. It was by chance that Bains got into Corrections. He did not realize that he was about to embark on a career in corrections that would eventually lead to him becoming the First Turbaned Sikh warden at the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), a highly respected executive, and a celebrated member of the Sikh community in British Columbia.
Bains says, "I wasn't expecting this to happen." He says that he was just attending the local job fair with his wife and it was his stepping stone to success.
A Change of Command Ceremony took place on December 20, 2016, at Fraser Valley Institution in which Don Head handed over the responsibility of Fraser Valley Institution to Bains. Attendees included the Regional Management Committee, the Deputy Commissioner for Women, and various Senior Executives. It is a formal, symbolic transition of authority, responsibility, and accountability of command from one leader to another.
It was an exciting moment in his career, one he looks forward to working in for years to come. "I still have a lot of time left in corrections, but today I'm happy to be a warden and to learn every day."
CSC: Correctional Service of Canada
Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is the federal government agency responsible for administering sentences imposed by the courts for two years or more. It is the responsibility of the CSC to manage institutions of various security levels and supervise offenders under conditional release in the community.
Public safety relies heavily on the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). On a typical day, the CSC manages approximately 15,000 offenders in 43 institutions and approximately 8,500 offenders in the community under its supervision. A strong, vibrant, and diverse team of professionals is being developed by the CSC. The CSC is widely recognized as an international leader In the field of correctional justice.
The Pacific Region of the Correctional Service of Canada operates 8 federal institutions, including one facility for women offenders, a Community Correctional Centre, and five parole areas in British Columbia including the Yukon Territory.
His Career: An overview
Throughout his career, Bains has worked in a variety of positions, starting at Matsqui Institution as a correctional officer. After that, he held management positions at various institutions in the west and regional and national headquarters in Ottawa. He also completed CSC’s Executive Leadership Development Program, after which he was successful in an executive competitive process. Sav serves as the warden of Fraser Valley Institution in Abbottsford, British Columbia.
After all these years, what keeps Sawinder Singh Bains here?
According to Sawinder Singh Bains, "I am deeply committed to corrections' work." He says that he is contributing to public safety by preparing offenders to be reintegrated into the community. He firmly believes that it is important work, and work that he passionately enjoys educating the public about.
Since joining CSC, Bains has kept in touch with the communities where he has worked. He enjoys discussing what CSC does, how it does it, and why it does it. In most parts of the country, there are many misconceptions about corrections and how CSC works. The responsibility of addressing misconceptions and providing information to those interested is ongoing for Bains.
It is important to maintain a dialogue with our communities, he says. “As a result, we need to clarify confusion and address the curiosity that exists," says Bains.
Bains says that the BC communities where he works and resides are particularly interested in learning about CSC. In the current scenario, where an increasing number of Indo-Canadian youth are becoming involved in criminal activity and incarceration through gang affiliation, Bains has taken up an active role in speaking at various forums. Through his actions and presence in the community, particularly with local youth at risk, he has demonstrated other options for young people. He believes that by staying connected with the community and serving as an example for the at-risk youth, he can encourage them to focus on achieving their career goals and making a difference instead of turning to a life of crime.
Sawinder (Sav) Singh Bains is driven by a sense of purpose. He doesn’t take his duty lightly and takes pride in performing the responsibility he is given to the best of his ability. Empathetic and grounded, Bains abides by the Sikh principle, ‘Mann Niva Matt Uchi’ which means -Lower your ego- maintain high morals -and you will be able to conquer the world.