4.5 Working with Incarcerated

Prevention Programs

Figure 9.9.1 – WordArt Created by Denise Halsey

When we look at prevention programs and education – we need to look at how it’s implemented.  There are many questions that we need to look at which include: what community is it for, diversity for different cultures, accessibility, universal learning styles, how it is applied, is it effective, language that’s used, the information (knowledge), is it cognitive, affective, psycho-motor, is it current, the many different ways its applied and evaluated.

We’re going to look at different programs that are existing, some are new, some are being realigned for current times.  Preventive Program Competency should always be changing/growing/adjusting as needed.  We will never have absolute Preventive Program Competency, it should always be a work in progress.

The most effective and efficient way to address co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders is to stop them before they start.  When these have already occurred, then it is important  through learning, support and education ways of preventing further challenges around mental health and substance abuse.

Legal Issues

Drug Treatment Court – CAMH(1)

Figure 9.9.2 Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

An intervention model combining drug addiction treatment with supervision of a “problem-solving” court, as an alternative to incarceration for individuals facing charges from non-violent criminal activities related to substance abuse.

This program is meant for individuals facing charges from substance abuse related non-violent criminal activities.  Those who are interested can self-refer (voluntary) through their lawyer and/or duty counsel.  The DTC Crown attorney screens all applicants for eligibility.

Program is a structured outpatient program offering programs such as:  random urine screens, frequent court appears,  thorough assessments, extensive case management services and addressing social determinants of health and social reintegration.  Program lasts minimum 1 year, upon successful completion of the program will receive a non-custodial sentence, rather than incarceration.

The DTC is a partnership between CAMH, the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ministry of the Attorney General and many community agencies.

There are many DTC across Canada.

Gladue Court (Indigenous People’s Court)(2)

Figure 9.9.3 – Hazelton Reserve (BC) Gitanmaxx Band – First Nations by Denise Halsey
A Gladue report is a written document that weaves together your story with information from interviews with family, Elders, and community members. It can also include relevant documentation to support the judge in making an appropriate decision.

Gladue Court is a special court for people charged with a crime and who self-identify as Indigenous, Métis, First Nations, or Inuit. Gladue Court is also called Indigenous Peoples Court.

Gladue Courts deal with all criminal offences. Usually they only handle bail hearings and sentencing hearings. Gladue Courts don’t handle trials or preliminary hearings.

Gladue Courts are Canadian courts that apply Canadian law. They often try to incorporate Indigenous cultural practices and understandings of justice. For example, a Gladue Court might start with a smudging ceremony or have Elders or Knowledge Keepers start with a song or prayer.

Some courthouses have only one day or a few days that Gladue Court is available each week. But every court must apply the Gladue principles even if it’s not a Gladue Court.

Gladue principles

Even if you’re not in a Gladue Court, the Gladue principles apply.

Gladue principles require all courts to take into account:

  • your Indigenous background, and
  • the impact and history of discrimination against Indigenous people by Canada and the criminal justice system, also called systemic discrimination.

This means at sentencing hearings, all alternatives to jail must be considered before a jail sentence is given. Jail is a last resort. And when a jail sentence is given, the court must apply Gladue principles to the length of the sentence.

And in Ontario, at bail hearings, all types of releases must be considered. Detention, or holding an accused without bail, is a last resort.

With your permission, your lawyer will tell the court about your Indigenous identity. Your background information is sometimes called Gladue factors. Your lawyer must also make arguments, called Gladue submissions, based on how the Gladue principles apply to your case.

Courthouses might have different practices in their Gladue Court. Speak to your lawyer, duty counsel, or an Indigenous court worker to find out more.

Participants from eight jurisdictions (Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and Northwest Territories) stated that there was at least one specialized court for Aboriginal accused/offenders in their jurisdiction that satisfies the criteria established by the researchers.

Elizabeth Fry Society

Figure 9.9.4 – Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash

Operates regionally in communities throughout Canada and nationally through the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies. Each regional society is self-governing. Twenty-four affiliate societies exist in cities across Canada. They assist some of the most vulnerable populations – women, girls and children at risk, involved in or affected by the Justice System. The goal is through advocating, education and support to break the cycle of poverty, addiction, mental illness, homelessness and crime.

The Elizabeth Fry Society now helps women with the process of applying for a record suspension. A record suspension will seal the criminal record increasing employment, school and volunteer opportunities.  Once a record suspension is awarded it helps increase self-worth, self-esteem and women generally feel this is a new beginning for them.

Each Province has supports for this:

Alberta

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Ontario

For more information: Elizabeth Fry Society – Canada(4)

John Howard Society

Figure 9.9.5 – Photo by Nicholas Green on Unsplash

Operates regionally in communities throughout Canada and nationally.  Currently there are branches and offices in over 60 communities across Canada, provincial offices in all 10 provinces and the Northwest Territories and a national office in Kingston.

Effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime.

  • works with people who have come into conflict with the law,
  • reviews, evaluates and advocates for changes in the criminal justice process,
  • engages in public education on matters relating to criminal law and its application
  • promotes crime prevention through community and social development activities.
For more information: John Howard Society – Canada(5)

New Initiatives

Incarcerated – Corrections Canada – Education

All Federal and Provincial Institutions offer High School Education.  Each Institution runs their education system.  Some offer college courses.

Grand Valley Institute for Women(6)– is unique when it comes to post-secondary education in Canada.  There are currently about 125 federally-incarcerated post-secondary students in all of Canada and 25 of those are at GVI.  Typically they have 20-25% of the post-secondary students in Canada, even though they only have about 1% of the overall offender population. They offer the most substantial program.  GVI’s offerings should not be seen as “typical” for incarcerated people but more of a “best practices” situation (based  on current funding/technological limitations).

They offer a few print-based correspondent program and University of Ottawa offers correspondence courses through a print/video hybrid model.

“Walls to Bridges (W2B)(7) is an innovative educational program that brings together incarcerated (“Inside”) and non-incarcerated (“Outside”) students to study post-secondary courses in jails and prisons across Canada. The National Hub for the program is based out of the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, in partnership with Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener.

Centennial College(8) for the last 2 years in partnership with Grand Valley Institution for Women has been using an innovative educational program that brings the classroom into GVI by Internet, to work with the incarcerated students to do the Addictions Work Certificate program (5 courses).  Many of the women when discharged have continued with the Addictions Work Continuing Education mainstream and completed the certificate course.    There have been 15+ graduates complete the Certificate.

Amadeusz(9) work with young people who are incarcerated to create positive change in their lives through access to education, community programs and supports, mentorship and exceptional care.  They have 10+ incarcerated students that they work with Centennial College through print-based programs as well when they are no longer incarcerated.  These students are in Vanier, Toronto South and Toronto East facilities.

 

A Canadian’s prisoner’s perspective. By Toronto Star originally published in July 2008 gives the perspective of Greg Simmons on his perspective of being in a Canadian Prison.(10)
Transcript

Food for thought

New Initiatives – Many programs over the last 3 years, during the Covid pandemic have gone through many changes. Some have expanded, some have closed, some have evolved into something new and some new ones were created.   All programs have had to look at meeting the changes and delivery of those services.

Reflect on these changes:

  1. Reflect for a moment on how these changes impacted the community you work with?
  2. What is the value of expanding, evolving or creating changes to agencies?
  3. Can you think of any programs that you know of that have expanded, evolved, changed or closed?
  4. What are some examples?
  5. How could you help others understand the changes?
  6. What training is involved in updating skills as a service provider?

Changing policies require updated prevention messages.  Listen to this 4-minute podcast report for the effort to change tactics from “fear to facts.”

“With The Rise Of Legal Weed, Drug Education Moves From ‘Don’t’ to ‘Delay’” NPR National Radio – Carrie Feibel (Host)(11)

Food for Thought

Providing resources for parents and educators, as well as involving teenagers, is a key component of prevention.  Explore current prevention programs and the video competition to create prevention messages for and by teens

Additional Information

Gaps in the System

Gaps in the System
Figure 9.9.6 – Photo by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash

Food for Thought

Gaps in the System – there are many services that are needed and can’t be found.  Reflect on these questions.  There have many changes over the last 3 years during the Covid pandemic. This has created a lot of changes. Some have expanded, some have closed, some have evolved into something new and some new ones were created.   All programs have had to look at meeting the changes and delivery of those services.

Pieces to be aware of:

  • Accessibility is the practice of making your programs, websites, support, activities usable by as many people as possible. It is not just about people with disabilities, but the practice of making programs accessible to everyone, online, in person, using mobile devices, or those with slow network connections or no network connections
  • Stigma – Refers to the discrediting, devaluing, and shaming of a person because of characteristics or attributes they possess which leads to reluctance to seek help or treatment. – stigma leads to negative social experiences such as isolation, rejection, marginalization, and discrimination. Can affect individuals, families and communities. It can be influenced by cultural and contextual value systems that differ over time and across contexts.
  • language – is it offered in many languages.  Three types of languages are written, oral and nonverbal.
  • culture awareness – able to support cultural awareness – being aware the cultural awareness is the understanding that our own culture differs from one individual and group to the next, and specifically from our target language.  Understanding this enables us to communicate  more effectively, beyond words and grammar, by understanding their culture.

Our awareness of these GAPS can make the difference between communicating and not communicating.

Street Voices(12)

A social enterprise and media platform with an online directory that provides access to free and subsidized services in the Greater Toronto Area.

The organization was initially established as a magazine in 2014 to empower street-involved and at-risk youth. Over the past six years, the magazine has broadened into a digital media platform that publishes journalistic articles, podcasts, and visuals.

In November 2021, Street Voices expanded from a media platform to include a directory that offers a variety of programs and services throughout the GTA. The website also provides aggregated news of the trending stories.

Ultimately, our aim is to empower marginalized voices, no matter who they are. As we continue to increase our reach as a platform, we hope to expand the directory Canada-wide while telling the stories of our communities.

 

Amadeusz(9)

Amadeusz offers a variety of programs and supports with a focus on education, community support, research and case management.

The Amadeusz education program supports young people aged 18 to 35 in working towards their educational goals. The goal of this program is to provide young people who are incarcerated with the opportunity, resources, and support to complete their high school education and to explore, prepare for, and attend post-secondary schooling.

For more information on agencies

  • Amadeusz – supports young people who are incarcerated to create positive change in their lives through education, community programs and supports
  • Oasis – Addiction Recovery and Employment Services
  • Street Voices – is a social enterprise and media platform with an online directory that provides access to free and subsidized services to empower street-involved and at-risk youth
  • Abrar – Trauma and Mental Health Services – dedicated to providing affordable, trauma informed, art based, and culturally sensitive mental support for diverse newcomers and immigrant populations.

Attribution:

Drugs, Health, Addictions & Behaviour – 1st Canadian Edition by Denise Halsey and Sunil Boodhai is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0  

References:

Figure 9.19.3 – Halsey, D (2022, March 30) Painting of Hazelton Reserve (BC) Gitanmaxx Band – First Nations. Painted in 1962 and given to Denise Halsey who lived on the reserve.

  1. CAMH. (n.d.). Drug Treatment Court Services. Retrieved March 20, 2022, from https://www.camh.ca/en/your-care/programs-and-services/drug-treatment-court-services
  2. Government of Canada – Department of Justice. (2017, February 2). Gladue Practices in the Provinces and Territories. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/ccs-ajc/rr12_11/p2.html
  3. Wilfred Laurier. (n.d.). Gladue Principles: Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian Criminal Justice System. Retrieved March 26, 2022, from https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-human-and-social-sciences/centre-for-public-safety-and-well-being/gladue-principles/index.html
  4. CAEFS. (2022b, December 15). Homepage – CAEFS. CAEFS – Just Another WordPress Site. https://caefs.ca/
  5. The John Howard Society of Canada – The John Howard Society of Canada. (2017, April 24). The John Howard Society of Canada. https://johnhoward.ca
  6. /https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/institutions/001002-3006-en.shtml – Grand Valley Institute for Women
  7. Home – Walls to bridges. (2022, March 18). Walls to Bridges. https://wallstobridges.ca/
  8. Centennial College – Centennial College. (n.d.).
  9. Home | Amadeusz. (n.d.). https://amadeusz.ca/home/
  10. Toronto Star. (2017c, July 17). A Canadian prisoner’s perspective [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-daYflbwc8
  11. Feibel, C. (2018, June 3). With The Rise Of Legal Weed, Drug Education Moves From “Don’t” to “Delay.” NPR. https://www.npr.org/transcripts/615403684
  12. Streetvoices. (n.d.). Streetvoices. Retrieved March 3, 2022, from https://www.streetvoices.ca/page/about-us

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Exploring Systems Navigation and Select Population Copyright © by Denise Halsey and Sunil Boodhai is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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