3.8 Trauma Informed for Incarcerated

When we look at Trauma Informed for Incarcerated we need to be aware that this is the only initiative designed to challenge the culture of the justice system and the prison service.  The goal/aim of this is about improving the support for prisoners and staff.  There are many layers of standard practices (searches, seclusion, restraint) that create trauma or re-traumatize many.

Trauma-informed care in prisons does require looking at many changes such as organizational policies and practices and they pose a serious threat to an individual and can re-traumatize or trigger traumatic memories.

We’ve all got a big story “Experiences of a trauma informed intervention in prison”

Drug Treatment Court – CAMH

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)

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 3.8.4 – 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.

John Howard Society

Figure 3.8.5 – 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.

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 – 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) 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 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 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 Prisoner’s Perspective

Gaps in the System

Figure 3.8.6 – Photo by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash

Street Voices

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

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.