2011
“From Custody to Community – a more realistic and helpful approach”
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
“From Custody to Community – A more
realistic and helpful approach”
Areas visited: Finland and Canada
Report by David Martin, Winston Churchill Fellow, 2011
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Contents
Acknowledgements
Page 3
Introduction
Pages 4 – 8
Summary and Conclusions
Pages 9 – 23
Findings [1] Visit to Finland
Pages 24 – 75
Findings [2] Visit to Canada
Pages 76 – 128
Institutions Visited
Page 129 - 130
Distribution List
Page 131
Web-sites used for reference
Page 132
Articles of interest
Page 133
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Acknowledgements.
I would like to thank the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust for awarding me a Fellowship in
2011 which enabled me to undertake my research in Finland and Canada. I would also like to
thank my Family for supporting me in this endeavour.
My interest in the development of more realistic and helpful approaches from custody to
community was from the outset encouraged by a number of my colleagues in the Northern
Ireland Prison Service. I would like to express my gratitude in particular to Governor Austin
Treacy, Governor Darryl Murdoch, Principal Officer Dave Bowden, Principal Officer Brian
Erskine, and Senior Officer Colin McAllister.
I would like to acknowledge a number of people who helped me during my stay in Finland.
Dr Hannu Kiehela, Director, The Training Institute of Prison and Probation Services
organised my visit and held many detailed discussions with me. Ms Ritva Vahakoski, Senior
Lecturer, Prison Service Finland, who ensured on a daily basis the working out of my
itinerary. I would also like to thank Mr Hannu Luukkonen Senior Lecturer, Mr Matti Laine
Principal Lecturer, Silja Rekomaa Chief Librarian, Mr Asko Hattuniemi Self Defence
Teacher, Senior Instructor Elisa Bergman, Almaleena Suomala and Heli Timmerbacka, Mr
Jouko Pietila Director Helsinki City Prison. Acting Director, Marjatta Kurri, Erja Pietila,
Probation Social Worker, Samuli Laulumaa, Acting Director, Matias Laitinen Director
Finnish Aviation Museum, Senior planning officers Leena Lof and Sanna Riila,Oma ovi –
hanke Silta Valmennus and Olli Nikoskelainen Silta Valmennus and, lastly, Ms Mia Juselius
Kriminaalihuollon Tukisaatio.
I would also like to acknowledge a number of people who helped me during my stay in
Canada. Firstly, thanks must go to Alain Charette who co-ordinated my visit and assisted me
in visiting so many different areas. These included not only Prisons but a wide-ranging
number of the Corrections Service Canada partner organisations. For those who gave me of
their time and allowed me to question them so freely, I would also like to thank Craig Baber
and Kandace Goldstone, Pacific Regional Treatment Centre, Irv Hammond (Assistant
Warden) and Kevin Hiller (Institutional Parole Officer). Ferndale Institution, Karen Nash
Frazer Valley Institution, Scot Gibson (Parole Officer and Programmes Officer), Wes
Sawchuk. M.Ed, Debra Matties A/Manager of Assessment and Interventions Kwikwexwelhp
Healing Village, Rudy Buchannon and Correctional Manager Derek Dubiellak Kent
Institution, Shawn Huish Deputy Warden Kent Institution, Tim Veresh Executive Director –
John Howard Society, Michael Cowan Junior Project Analyst Vancouver Community Court,
Lak Sehmbi (Vancouver Parole), Les McAusland, Manager of Transitional Housing and
Support Services, The Salvation Army, Jodi Harbour Manager Programmes New
Westminster Corrections, Bob Marshall the chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee
and Andrew Boyd The West Coast Genesis Society.
Your knowledge, friendship and assistance are gratefully appreciated and you have all made
my Winston Churchill Fellowship an enjoyable and very worthwhile professional experience.
“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results”.
Sir Winston Churchill
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Senior Officer David Martin
“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out
before you an ever – lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will
never get to the end of the journey. But this, far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and
glory of the climb”.
Sir Winston Churchill
Introduction
I am at present working as a Senior Prison Officer in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. I
have served the community as a prison officer for 18 years. During that time I have worked at
H.M.P. Maze and, on its closure, H.M.P. Maghaberry. I have worked in mainly Residential
areas during my service, with the exception of six years when I was part of the Resettlement
Team within Maghaberry Prison. I am presently the Senior Officer in charge of Lagan House,
a residential area within Maghaberry Prison. Lagan House holds mainly remand prisoners i.e
those individuals who have not been before the Courts for their trials. It currently houses 182
prisoners in mainly double cell accommodation. I have a complement of 34 staff working
rotational shifts with 13 Officers profiled for duty daily.
I became interested in the procedures being used to return offenders into the community
during my time with the Resettlement Team. I trained with the Housing Rights Service as a
housing advisor and it was during this period I discovered the plight facing many offenders
on their release from custody. A number of issues truly shocked me and I felt a better
procedure was called for. After conducting research, I discovered some offenders who are
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released and deemed “Hard to work with”, also present long histories of behavioural deficits
that make it extremely hard to place them back into their communities successfully.
Furthermore, I discovered this particular group of offenders were by no means unique in
experiencing major difficulties in making a successful transition from custody to community.
Although a number of agencies exist to help these offenders quite a number of individuals
tend to slip through the net and become embroiled in an endless wheel of release and rearrest. This scenario can happen within hours of release or, in the majority of occasions, no
more than a few weeks beyond that target date.
I began to think about the expenditure this incurred on the public purse by way of custodial
costs and the expense in general to the Court’s system and the Police. Another major issue
involves the costs of re-offending within local communities and the devastation caused not
only to offenders’ families but to other victims of past and future criminal activities. Often reoffending individuals commit petty crime, which at times is related to alcohol abuse, drugtaking, and/or homelessness. The outcome of these behaviours results in further short periods
in custody which add to the financial burden on the public purse.
On further examination, most of these individuals while in custody had displayed very poor
coping skills, and again nothing was changed by the date of their release. In the main, some
offenders had very little family support available during their period of custody and this also
applied following their release from Prison. Most re-offenders find it difficult to put into
practice normal life-skills we take for granted. Daily issues such as budgetting, cooking,
cleaning and interacting with others are major areas some offenders find it dificult to cope
with. These issues have a dramatic effect on offenders’ release to the point they feel the best
place to be is within the security and safety provided by the walls of the prison.
Prison becomes a lifestyle choice of many re-offenders in the same way as a dependency
culture may result from the outworking of a benefits system provided by state welfare
policies. That feeling of safety and the ability to resign from personal responsibility for their
own actions and choices makes prison a positive environment for many offenders. As a result
re-offenders then become trapped in a cycle of custodial sentencing in order to avoid dealing
with their individual deficits that cause them to become dependent on crime. This allows reoffenders to make choices we would see as negative; however, in the mindset of the reoffender these choices are positive because they return him or her to a safe, secure
environment without any need to exercise personal responsibility for their lives.
Is there an answer to this growing community of recidivist prison dwellers? I believe this is a
fundamental issue for the Northern Ireland Prison Service that has to be addressed for the
benefit of everyone including prison staff, offenders and their families as well as the wider
community.
As Winston Churchill stated “You can judge a society by the state of its prisons”. In today’s
overcrowded and costly prisons in the United Kingdom we need to strive towards a real and
credible change in penal policy and practice which pays greater regard to the needs of those
offenders who find life difficult to the point where prison becomes the best option and
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lifestyle choice for their lives. In addition in present economic times the financial and human
costs to the tax-payer and to society must be driven downwards. To achieve this goal reoffenders must be given access to a credible, more realistic and helpful strategy which will
see them restored to society safely and successfully and better able to cope with the day to
day issues of a normal life in their communities.
Offenders serving life sentences also require a credible, helpful process to prepare them for
release. The process of removing from offenders personal responsibility and choice is
something we as a Service can no longer ignore. It is urgent to address all relevant issues
identified that would contribute towards a more realistic and helpful approach in supporting
offenders’ successful transition from custody to community. It may be we have lost the
original idea of Resettlement as outlined in the Northern Ireland Prison Service Resettlement
Strategy. This strategy recognised that society itself has a shared responsibility to assist in
changing offenders’ lives for the better. Indeed the social and economic benefits to the wider
society of a more realistic and helpful approach in assisting offenders to re-establish
themselves safely and successfully within local communities are considerable in both the
short and long term.
It is of course recognised that the particularities of Northern Ireland culture and society as it
emerges from a generation of widespread civil disorder and terror can make change more
difficult within this area of penal policy. However, at present there is optimisim that the
Northern Ireland Prison Service is moving forward and is more open to progressive change.
Prisons exist as communities within local communities. As such the prison service as well as
offenders need the help and support of the wider society of which they are part. Greater trust
requires to be established between the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the communities it
seeks to serve. Establishing greater trust will take time, effort, understanding and confidencebuilding measures. Nowhere is this more important than making more effective and
successful the transitional arrangements from custody to community of serial offenders
within the criminal justice system.
With progressive change comes opportunity to build the networks and public confidence of
stakeholders who can assist successful prisoner release within local communities. When I
was encouraged by Principal Officer Dave Bowden to apply to the Winston Churchill
Memorial Trust I was unsure if I could drive progressive change on this scale and of this
kind. However, many will have roles to play in making progressive change possible and to
each lies the responsibility to play his or her role in implementing an agreed strategy.
Furthermore, the knowledge, expertise and skills of those who work with prisoners on the
ground day-by-day will have an enormous contribution to make to credible, realistic and cost
effective strategies of change that will prove both practical and effective in practice.
I believe Prison Officers are skilled in undertaking their professional roles despite the
scathing criticism levelled at the Prison Service on occasion. Officers do in fact know the
prisoners in their care very well. They also know how to manage offenders within the context
of their perceived deficits on a daily basis. Prison Officers hear about offenders’ worries
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about their sentences as well as their fears about meeting the challenges posed by their
release from custody as well as re-joining families and local communities. Prison Officers are
also aware of the lack of support that awaits some offenders in making the transition from
custody to community as well as the psychological and institutional dependency engendered
after long periods in custody. Professional knowledge of this kind is vital in assisting
prisoners to return successfully into their communities with minimal risk of re-offending.
Prison Officers’ professional relationships with prisoners are also critical in encouraging
offenders to make use of the resources that are available to assist them in this change.
The specific historical and social context of Northern Ireland’s attemps at penal reform not
least in returning offenders safely to normal life, has been made more difficult as
communities inside and outside the prison have retreated, very understandably in the
circumstances, from each other. A generation of civil disorder and terror within the province
has seen the construction of “safe silos” and as a result a vast void has been created and filled
with sectarianism and hatred. Hopefully, this is becoming history wherein the prison regime
of “The Troubles” is in the past. Today, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has a specific
and important contribution to make in the creation of a safe and peaceful future for all.
During my dealings with offenders I have always tried to show a professional, impartial and
caring attitude towards individuals. I feel this approach engenders the trust of offenders.
While inmates do not always agree with my position, I believe offenders feel confident in the
decisions I make with their interests in mind. I have also observed other very proficient
Prison Officers who present similar impartial, caring attitudes during the daily exercise of
their professional duties. It is professionalism of this kind that will in the future play an
important role in helping the Northern Ireland Prison Service to become a model of best
practice.
When I was awarded the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust’s Travelling Fellowship I was
given the time, space and opportunity to research a more realistic and helpful approach to
supporting offenders in Northern Ireland in making a successful transition from custody to
community. Previously, I had reflected with colleagues on the areas where best practice could
be found. Senior Officer Colin McAllister highly recommended the Prison Service in
Finland. Mr McAllister had prior experience of offender release systems to the community in
Finland and praised highly what he had observed on a previous visit. Previously, I had spent
some time with the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) in 2009. After discussing with
Principal Officer Dave Bowden how on an earlier visit I had not examined the specific
subject of transition from custody to community we felt that CSC would provide an
investigative area for best practice in this area.
Once the decision was made to visit Finland and Canada, with the assistance of Dr Hannu
Kiehala of the Prison Service Finland and Alain Charlotte of the Corrections Service Canada,
I put together an itinerary. In total, I was granted access to 11 Prisons, 8 Halfway Houses, 5
Probation / Parole Offices, 1 Prison Training Establishment, 2 Assessment Centres, 1 Prison
Museum and a Community Services area. This has been of great help and assistance while
collating the relevant information contained within my report.
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The biggest problem I have faced in making this Report is what to include and what to
exclude. I have tried to cover in detail all areas of best practice that could be evidenced.
However, I also allude to some related areas of best practice that, I believe to be of value to
the Northern Ireland Prison Service at the present time.
“A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and
dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality”.
Sir Winston Churchill
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Summary and Conclusions
The findings of my visits to Finland and Canada in search of best practice towards a more
realistic and helpful approach in securing the safe and successful transition from Custody to
Community are set out in detail in two sections which comprise the body of my Report
(Pages 24–128). My findings are based on personal observations, diary entries and interviews
over a period of five weeks conducted with prison staff and offenders during visits to a wide
variety of institutions and rehabilitative programmes and activities in both countries.
In addition, I have included photographic and documentary evidence to provide a fuller
picture of the open-prison ethos in Finland and Canada. This record includes details of
institutional settings, legal frameworks, work programmes and rehabilitative activities
undertaken within communities.
In writing the Conclusions to my Report I have tried to answer directly the questions I posed
to myself prior to my investigation of best practice world-wide in this important area of penal
policy and practice. At the same time, I have sought to take account of the particular social
and cultural contexts within which the Northern Ireland Prison Service operates today.
The conclusions of this Report are an attempt to apply to Northern Ireland those elements of
best practice I saw evidenced in Finland and Canada. The shared goal of all penal systems is
the safe and successful transition from custody to community of offenders and re-offenders to
their families and communities for the benefit of all in society.
What does any Community expect from its Prisons and its Prison Service?
The communities in Finland and Canada expect the prisons in their communities to be a place
of safe and humane confinement. This said, we in the Northern Ireland context have always
taken this to mean prison regimes that are Security-driven and at all costs do not allow
offenders to escape. In this regard NIPS has an extremely good and enviable record.
However, it does not follow that these arrangements have developed a successful regime
which bridges successfully the transition from custody to community as part of a progressive
and risk-reducing rehabilitation programme such as I observed in the Finnish and Canadian
systems.
The Finnish and Canadian penal systems believe that to reduce the likelihood of prisoner
recidivism, a proactive and positive system has to be in place which supervises and monitors
for an appropriate period of time offenders and re-offenders living back within their
communities. However, this requires the development of an approach from custody to
community using an open prison system and the development of a better Halfway House
system as evidenced by Canadian and Finnish projects and programmes such as Own Door
(page 48), KRITS (pages 54-58), Belkin House (pages 112-117), Guy Richmond Place (pages
120-121) or the Westcoast Genesis Society homes (pages 124-127).
All these forms of community interaction assist in the acceptance and tolerance of an open
prison or halfway house system to manage the transition from custody to community. This
then lends itself to the community wanting to assist offenders who are returning to their
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community. During my discussions with local residents I also discovered that the community
recognises and accepts prisoners are only held for a period of time in custody. The
community realises that at some point prisoners become citizens again and, like most of us,
can move freely within society to live where they wish unless stipulated by the courts that
they can not.
I believe after witnessing at first-hand in Finland and Canada a system which reduces the
Security Levels appropriately by individual establishment and creates a direct pathway to
release is something which cannot be ignored as the Northern Ireland Prison Service moves
forward. The use of movement gives birth to hope and an understanding of what is required
by the individual offender to achieve progression. If a clear and understandable direction is
mapped out with the offender, he/she can take the responsibility to follow that map. If no
clear path exists it becomes a case of “warehousing”, regardless of the efforts put in by an
individual offender, or indeed by very motivated staff. Warehousing a prisoner simply means
no reward or benefits are visible to the offenders, and therefore the transitional process from
custody to community is set to fail.
The old adage of the carrot and the stick comes to the fore once again. Why do we always
need to disregard and re-invent ideas that worked in the past? This is certainly the perception
at present of those in our custody and one of the reasons I feel we have been criticised so
severely. When “warehousing” offenders, their escape risk is easier to prevent; however,
new strategies towards a more realistic and helpful approach in managing the transition from
custody to community would require a more dynamic assessment of each individual. Failure
through this type of process cannot be ruled out, and escape remains a possibility. However,
we have to ask the question if we are now prepared in Northern Ireland to take these steps, or
do we just continue in a “human warehousing” process. “Human warehousing” while secure
does nothing to engender change in individuals, or lower the risks of re-offending in the
community when release follows custody.
The processes employed in both Finland and Canada are quite similar and merit what would
be classed as excellent examples of best practice world-wide. Both penal systems allow
offenders coming into prison to have a clear and direct pathway to release from those early
days in custody. By this, I mean from the outset prisoners know exactly what rehabilitative
paths are available to them, which path will allow them to progress from in the first context,
individual diagnostic assessment of need, to at the end of the process their placement within
an open establishment. Offenders are also made aware of what will be required of them in a
programme and behaviour context to assist in their reduction of risk of both escape and
causing harm to others.
However, it is the prisoner’s responsibility to engage and work towards these goals with a
view to moving forward. I witnessed in both countries individual diagnostic assessment units
which would be very applicable within our own Service. The diagnostic assessment process
is done at the higher category prisons and once the individual process is completed those
requiring programme input are moved to a specific residential unit which holds only those
who require programming. Until this process is completed satisfactorily this is where
offenders remain. The regime becomes a little more relaxed once offenders move from
Induction to Assessment and on to individual programming thus creating a therapeutic
atmosphere. Both the Assessment and Programming areas are staffed by psychologists
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alongside normal custodial staff. However, the programmes unit is staffed by psychologists
and trained programme delivery custodial staff. All programmes are run within the Unit
without the use of staff from other locations.
This process was in my view an exceptional way of monitoring the progress of those
engaging in programme work and provides a very reliable reporting system which records all
of the skills that had been learned and how the individuals in an appropriate and safe
environment continued to practice those skills after their sessions. This system means that
once programming has been completed the other establishments only need to provide
maintenance programmes to teach the offender how to continue practising the skills they had
been taught at the programme stage. This is monitored throughout their sentences and
reported on. Self-reporting by offenders is only one of many measures taken into account. As
a result a sound evidence base is available for making qualitative judgements in relation to
risk assessment of future re-offending behaviours.
This is an extremely important part of programme work; if an offender can acquire the skills
identified in the diagnostic programme they then, while also being encouraged to practice the
skills, can take responsibility for evidencing their own learning. Again, the responsibility is
theirs; staff act as information-givers and gatherers. The offender makes the personal choices
which may lead to access to a more relaxed regime, or to an open prison environment. This,
in turn, provides staff with the evidence of change which allows valid and reliable
judgements to be made in assessing the reduction in risk. If the offender evidences his/her
learning it can then be used to guide the offender’s sentence. For example, are they ready to
move to a less secure facility, or indeed has the risk increased to a point where more
programming is required, or does the offender need to stay within a more secure facility?
This process also provides encouragement and focus for those who have completed
successfully programme work as this becomes a definitive marker in their sentence which
helps them reduce their individual risk. Once this has been achieved offenders are eligible to
apply to a lower category establishment. However, remember the responsibility is left firmly
with the offender; while encouraged and sign-posted to the correct route by prison staff, the
choice remains his/hers. Offenders can still make bad decisions and at that point members of
prison staff, as appropriate, need to step in and offer further assistance and guidance.
To implement this type of change we in the Northern Ireland Prison Service would have to
set aside a Residential Unit which would have a specific programmes area within the Unit
conducive to programme work. The evidence for this kind of response is detailed in the
findings of this Report, for example at Helsinki City Prison (pages 29-34), Pacific Institution
and Regional Treatment Centre (pages 78-79) and Frazer Valley Institution (Female) (pages
83-84). This new provision would need resourced correctly using not only trained custodial
programmes staff but also a daily input from psychologists. The staffing would be drawn
from those who are offending behaviour programme (OBP) facilitators and it would need a
high level of Psychology input on a daily basis; both would need to be based in the
Residential Unit for continuity and support for offenders.
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In Finland and Canada programmes are run on a continuous basis which means high turn
round and as all the programmes are delivered in-house the disruption from delays is
minimised as movement is only required within the Unit. During the offenders’ time in the
Unit all constructive activity is based on programme work only and allows prisoners to
concentrate only on the skills they are learning. We need to remember that this work is a
critical area for the future success of the offenders’ transition from custody to community.
The other benefits are that offenders are there because they want to complete the
programmes. They have chosen to apply for the programmes because this in turn may allow
them to progress. Consequently, few problems or distractions seem to arise.
The other benefit from this approach to managing the transition from custody to the
community is that society can have confidence in the prison system because all offenders are
assessed properly and given the specific, individual diagnosed programmes they require at an
early stage of their sentences. Offenders then go through a proven, recorded process of
individual maintenance throughout their custodial sentence. If closer to release, offenders
require a second programme they can be returned to the residential unit for further
interventions. This evidenced record of the offender’s achievement assists in proving whether
or not he/she is suitable for a lower security establishment and eventual release.
If, at the other end of the system, issues arise at an open institution the Prison Service can
evidence its decisions thus explaining that failure is part of the accepted process. However,
all reasonable issues had been identified and considered. This all means at release we have
evidence of a track record of change for each offender. If at any point the evidence changes to
predict further or future risk, then offenders can be returned to the more secure environment
to complete further work to assist them to improve on the issues that have been going wrong.
Decisions taken at release or parole are also improved in quality as the evidence gathered
assists in the decisions being taken while the process is seen as credible and proportionate.
This all helps the Prison Service build on the community’s confidence thus ensuring a safe
local environment is protected and maintained.
The systemic issue that we in the Northern Ireland Prison Service face is the remodelling, and
in some cases the making of Institutions fit for purpose to implement a more realistic and
helpful approach from custody to community. This holistic approach requires recognition that
the process of prisoner rehabilitation must begin from the outset of an offender’s custodial
sentence. My experience in Finland and Canada impressed upon me the following strengths
of their penal systems and institutions including:
Properly accredited training programmes for new and serving members of the
Northern Ireland Prison Service.
A commitment to an open prison ethos as an integral part of the rehabilitation of
offenders.
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Placing on offenders at all times direct personal responsibility for making their own
decisions as consenting participants in prison service strategies designed to assist their
rehabilitation and successful release.
Residential-based individual diagnostic assessment and programming - therapeutic,
educational, work, recreational, community service – instituted for all offenders and
re-offenders.
Enhanced relationships between the prison service and local communities (faith
groups, community organisations, employers, probation services) in sharing
rehabilitative programmes and activities as part of creating greater trust and
understanding between residents and offenders.
The use of community courts such as was found in Vancouver (pages 100-107).
Appropriate strategies applied both during and after release such as the disclosure of
appropriate information to assist in the safe return of an individual offender to the
community. For example see good practice evidenced in the handover document
(Finland) (pages 49-50) and witnessed at the Community Corrections Intervention
Board (Canada) (pages 122-123).
While we in Northern Ireland continue to look inwardly at the present provision and tinker
with what we have, I trust for the future we are also prepared to consider the cost
comparisons Finnish and Canadian lower-security Institutions offer and the benefits they
might hold for our prison service, local communities and offenders themselves. We
continually build more and more high-risk accommodation at considerable cost to the prison
service budget while ignoring the possibility that lower security establishments may be a
more progressive way forward.
Both the Finland and Canadian models strive towards placing prisoners in less high security
institutions where possible as this is the most cost-effective way to house many offenders.
Only those offenders of a high-risk security level require the higher levels of security
provided at present in Northern Ireland by prisons such as Maghaberry. Of course, the
particular and complex issues of securing community trust and understanding in relation to
sex offenders will require further detailed examination. However, for 80% of offenders the
open prison ethos as evidenced in Finland and Canada has demonstrated ample benefits and
considerable success in contributing to enhanced understanding and trust between penal
policy and public confidence in securing successful transition from custody to community for
the vast majority of offenders.
The use of the lower category institutions helps provide less costly beds rather than
“warehousing” at high cost all offenders regardless of risk into one area. The challenge to
society and the economy then ceases to become one of cost and the reduced chance of
rehabilitation. Expenditure is measured against the opportunity to provide lower cost beds at
the lower security institutions and at the same time offering an enhanced opportunity for
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successful offender rehabilitation which then offsets the higher cost beds for repeated
custodial sentences at a maximum or higher security institution.
The main issue we in NIPS face at present is the ability of offenders to pass their
responsibility on to the Case or Sentence Manager or the Prison Officer who did not get them
up on time to attend a class or their work. Therefore, when failure occurs, it is not offenders’
perception that they have failed because they place too easily personal responsibility for their
conduct on to the system. The ownership of Risk does not currently sit with the individual
offender; if you do not claim ownership of your behaviour, then how can you proceed to do
anything about it?
While the current Offender Management Process within NIPS has certain strengths, it does
not do enough to encourage the offender to take individual responsibility for his/her actions.
Of course the offender has his/her risk explained as part of the process and what the
individual needs to do as a result; however, taking ownership of one’s actions and decisions
is an entirely different matter. If the Service leaves an opening for an offender to shirk
personal responsibility for and ownership of their decision-making actions then resettlement
becomes far more difficult to achieve. Within NIPS the offender is too often given the
opportunity to opt out and place the blame for his/her failure with someone other than
themselves.
This scapegoating by the offender of personal responsibility onto NIPS is something that
would not be tolerated or accepted within the Finnish and Canadian systems. The
responsibility and the choices made within that realm are regarded solely as the responsibility
of the offender. They also accept that failure is a real and relevant option, a negative outcome
which is not laid at the door of the institution but is firmly laid at the door of the offender.
However, it is explained clearly to offenders when something goes wrong how they have
made wrong choices and what would have been the better option. I fear that we in NIPS have
removed the responsibility from our resettlement processes which allows offenders to
distance themselves when things go wrong. Consequently, offenders are prevented from
learning from their mistakes, a human process we have all benefitted from during our lives.
None of us can claim not to have made mistakes in our lives; why should an offender escape
not facing up to their mistakes, a process that would be to their future benefit and that of their
society as well?
The offenders taking of personal responsibility for all their behaviour and actions while in
custody is an integral part of the rehabilitative process that ends with successful reintegration
into local communities. Indeed when I visited the lower security institutions in both Finland
and Canada offenders from the outset of their custody are encouraged to seek out the best
professional support to help them with personal issues; indeed I even witnessed an offender
knocking on the door of the warden to ask for assistance.
In the context of Maghaberry Prison and the issues we have concerning all the different types
of offender - remand, sentenced, life sentence, fines and separated prisoners - it becomes a
somewhat more complex matter. However, I did witness some work at Frazer Valley
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Institution (pages 83-84) which was very relevant. Frazer Valley holds female prisoners in
various stages of their sentence. Each residential unit has a different function on the
progression towards release. You have a higher risk area and then a number of areas similar
to Maghaberry where the risk is reduced and the regime relaxed. The issue they have, and I
believe is currently being addressed, is the offenders taking those final steps from custody
into the community. This particular issue could be addressed within NIPS by looking at
alternatives such as the old staff accommodation at Maghaberry. It could be separated from
the prison and used as a low security establishment, as could the housing at our Training
College at Millisle. This could be undertaken at reasonably low cost to the Service, but would
provide a number of suitable bed spaces which would ease the overcrowding problem, and
feed into a clear path towards safe and successful rehabilitation within the community.
At present, as in Canada and Finland in Northern Ireland we have workers who cut the grass
and look after the grounds. If they were offenders within Finnish and Canadian jurisdictions
these workers would be placed in an open unit and would already be engaging with members
of the community they are returning to. Membership of an open unit assists a prisoner in
normalising his situation prior to release. Though there are risks with this strategy, I have
witnessed them being managed appropriately in the other jurisdictions. They do accept there
may be times when an offender fails; however we (NIPS) need to understand this and manage
that risk.
We need to have robust procedures which deal with the relevant issues that affect an
individual’s ability to do what is required of him/her. I have examined agreements or
contracts offenders sign on being considered for admission to lower security establishments
which outline the rules pertinent to that institution. They are informed that a breach of the
rules is unacceptable and the consequences of doing so are outlined and these can include a
return to the higher category prison until they evidence change. Again, handing the
responsibility and choice to the offender ensures fewer breaches and less failure. Offenders
complete application forms for these establishments which in turn make them opt into the
process and take responsibility. We also need to explain carefully to individuals what they
have done wrong, how they could have acted differently, and how they will be affected by
their decisions. If this process is followed the community can have reassurance in what NIPS
is trying to achieve.
Community confidence is very important within Finland and Canada and they take its
building and maintenance very seriously indeed. For example when prison staff invite the
community into the institution to see what they are trying to achieve they explain their
purpose. If there are issues within the community that the prison and the offenders can help
with then work parties are sent to give assistance. Issues such as graffiti, vandalism etc are
addressed by prison work parties. This is not seen as slave labour, or against an offender’s
dignity, but rather the complete opposite is the case. The offenders are encouraged to do this
work as part of the rehabilitation process. Again, offenders have the opportunity to interact
with the community and restore the community’s confidence in them. This all helps the local
community to accept the existence of the penal institutions and their rehabilitative
programmes.
15 | P a g e
In Keravo Prison, Finland, (pages 35-37) they have open days where the community come
into the prison and buy wooden items such as sheds, summer seats etc and produce such as
flowers, vegetables etc. This again forms an acceptance of the institution and what it is trying
to achieve in terms of rehabilitation. It also allows offenders to interact with the community
in a safe and monitored manner which in turn assists the community in accepting that those
who go to prison are not monsters but are people who in the past have made serious mistakes
in their lives.
All of the offenders I spoke to in both Finland and Canada explained that the opportunities
they had been given in the open prisons was of great help in resettling them into the
community and as a result they were not prepared to break the trust placed in them by staff.
All of these institutions had a very positive culture where a relaxed atmosphere existed
between offenders and staff. The conditions the offenders are held in are very good and the
main theme is the responsibility of offenders to take control of their own sentences and to use
that self-determination to change their lives. This is a very constructive outlook and one
which is aligned closely to our (NIPS) Resettlement Strategy. It helps provide offenders with
the positive attitudes and personal skills they will require on release to assist with proper reintegration into the community. The open prison regime allows offenders time to practice and
evidence their learning which in turn makes a credible change to the skill levels they have
acquired on previous releases, and which if practised, could see a significant reduction in reoffending statistics for the future.
While on this Winston Churchill Fellowship I discovered some very innovative approaches in
how offenders can be assisted to help themselves. An example of this was in Kerava Prison,
Finland (pages 35-37) where a number of residential areas had been set aside for different
types of offenders. They had a landing for older persons. This housed prisoners aged 55 and
over. Due to the types of offender held on the landing they required minimal supervision and
remained unlocked all day. The landing had its own cooking facilities and was immaculately
clean and tidy. I was also surprised to see a landing covered in a large number of plants.
When I spoke with some of the offenders they explained that at their time of life they found it
difficult on a “normal” landing. They went on to explain that younger prisoners liked loud
music and used drugs so arguments would start if they asked them to turn the music down or
leave them alone. They explained that it was much better to be in a separate area where they
had other like-minded people. They claimed this helped them through their sentences and
they appreciated the trust that had been placed in them. They also reported that some of the
younger prisoners made their lives difficult because of their age and, in some cases,
disabilities. I appreciated their comments as over the years I have observed older prisoners
who find it difficult to mix with younger prisoners. I felt this was an area of best practice and
one which we (NIPS) could learn from.
Next door to the Older Persons’ Unit was a Drug-free landing. Again I felt the way this was
being run was very impressive. Offenders were separated totally from the rest of the
population. The Drug-free offenders exercise and take their gym sessions and take visits
separately. It reminded me of what we are trying to achieve for low-coping individuals
16 | P a g e
through the Donard area at Maghaberry Prison. It struck me that some of the landing
practices could be adopted with our prisoners.
One such process was how they deal with inter-personal conflict on the landing. The staff
have a post box in their class office which is sealed but accessible to the offenders. If those
who live on the Unit have a disagreement with someone else in the Unit (and this includes
staff) they can write down what the incident was, how it made them feel, and what emotions
they experienced about the incident. Offenders post this in the post-box and at the end of the
week, usually Friday mornings, the staff unlock the post-box and everyone sits in a circle
which has one empty chair. Those who have placed notes in the box take it in turn to read out
their comments, not directly to the other person or persons involved, but directing their
conversation to the empty chair. Offenders are not allowed to stand up during this exercise
and only the person reading is allowed to speak.
The process is very carefully managed by a member of staff. This gives everyone the
opportunity to listen to the perspective given and to gain an understanding of the individual.
The issue is then discussed in the group and usually the matter becomes resolved. I thought
this was a very innovative way of dealing with sensitive issues.
The offenders related that since they had been taking part in this process very few assaults
have happened on the unit. Again, I felt this would be ideal if used in the context of our
Donard landing as the offenders placed there do not have good skills at resolving interpersonal conflicts with others. Also on this landing there were two “senior prisoners”, namely
offenders who had been on the landing the longest. It is their responsibility to prepare a
weekly timetable for all the prisoners which incorporates all programme work, exercise, and
activities. Again, I felt this would be a very appropriate way of helping individual prisoners
take personal responsibility and this could be adopted by our Donard landing. The prisoners
had access to a Prisoners’ Office which was equipped with a computer (No Internet Access)
and a printer where they could prepare the weekly timetable rota as well as leaflets
advertising games nights etc. As this was the participative ethos of the landing the prisoners
themselves took responsibility for organising activities and all took part.
The last landing I would like to highlight is that of a Young Persons’ Landing. This is
something I have always felt would be a valuable initiative at Maghaberry. The young
persons’ landing in Kerava prison (pages 35-37) houses those aged 18-25 and it has a
permanent staff for the purposes of continuity and relationship-building. The staff work four
days on and four days off to achieve the necessary continuity which helps cultivate trusting
relationships with the young people as witnessed by me. The landing had quite a substantial
input from social workers and community groups who also focus on the specific needs of the
young people. At Maghaberry we tend to receive quite a high number of young men who
come direct from the Young Offenders’ Centre. These young people either cope reasonably
well by joining in with what other prisoners are doing, or just don’t cope well in the adult
prison because of the difference in regimes, sometimes turning to self-harm as an outlet for
their frustrations. I felt this was an issue of best practice and it would benefit those making
17 | P a g e
the transition from Young Offenders’ Institution to Adult Prison to cope if an interim area
were established before being placed into the full regime.
While undertaking my research I had read an article on the Community Court in Vancouver
(pages 100-107). I was guided around the system by Michael Cowan, Junior Project Analyst,
and Tim Veresh, Executive Director, John Howard Society. The Court is set up on the same
principles as the Midtown Community Court, New York. It deals in a more holistic fashion
with offenders who more frequently commit petty crime. This involves a number of
systematic interventions and specialised support groups which include the Prison, Police,
Probation, Legal and Court Services as well as local charitable organisations who deal with
issues such as homelessness, drugs and alcohol addictions.
The institution of the Community Court provides an excellent example of prison and
community services working together. It is hoped to extend existing trials in the use of
Community Courts to a number of other Canadian cities. A repeat offender who appears
before the court and who presents with multiple deficits such as drug or alcohol addictions,
homelessness etc can have his/her sentence deferred to allow them to take part in programme
work or addiction treatment. While this is going on issues such as homelessness can be
explored and a plan formulated to assist offenders. The Judge sets a date for sentencing
allowing for this work to be completed and, if it has been done to a satisfactory standard,
consideration is given to this community court plan at sentencing. The plan in turn assists
those offenders who would normally revolve around a circle of imprisonment – release –
imprisonment, mainly for petty crime to be dealt with while given the chance to improve their
situation. This results in major saving in both custodial costs and public expenditure in the
Community subsequently because of reduced levels of re-offending.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”.
Sir Winston Churchill
What is a more realistic approach to returning ex-offenders to their communities?
I have witnessed what I feel is best practice in both the Finland and Canadian Prison
Services. In both jurisdictions the authorities have moved forward into an open prison
environment because of the evidence that this assists in reducing offender recidivism at the
same time as lowering financial costs to the tax payer. It would be an error to ignore this
process, especially when the benefits to inmates and local communities are so clear and well
documented over time. As long as proper risk-assessed decisions are made in conjunction
with the offender, then if and when failure occurs, we have the ability to explain failure in
proper terms rather than hunting down someone else to blame within the system. To ensure
success offenders in prison must be given the information to make their decisions when they
should have proper input into the process. If as a result they choose to fail then that is not the
fault of the Service, it is the fault of the individual.
18 | P a g e
However, we must expect a level of failure. Most of the individuals in our custody have
failed to live within the laws of our community. Why would we believe that an offender will
always be cured and will not make further mistakes? It is impossible to guarantee that any
programme an offender has completed will ensure 100% success. I discussed this issue of reoffending at length in both Finland and Canada. We all agreed that it is sometimes difficult to
guage success when dealing with offenders who present with very complex deficits. For some
it may simply be that they have not fought with someone for a week; for other inmates it may
be they have been released and not committed any further crime. The range of positive
outcomes is considerable and some offenders fall short of our own measures of progress
which are usually measured against our own levels of normality. We are dealing with people
who have been brought to prison because of many wide-ranging deficits and we are unable to
“cure everyone”. Failure must be accepted as part of our and the offender’s remit.
It is extremely important that while reducing a prisoner’s security classification other, more
normal expanded custodial regimes are made available to them. This allows offenders the
benefit of seeing a change and reward for evidencing change in personal behaviours. This is
incredibly important in trying to reduce re-offending; ownership of the risk is imperative and
something that at all costs should not be ignored. The offender is the main person in this
process; we are the signposts who try to point them in the right direction, but ultimately the
decision must remain his/hers.
If we take away responsibility we take away the chance of success. However, we must also
accept failure. This is not something we are good at. We all strive to assist the offender to
change but we must also accept that we are working with individuals who may have a long
history of failure and may not be ready to change. Unless individuals recognise their own
failures and wish to move away from that situation it is not always possible to encourage
them to change.
The fact must be recognised that we have offenders who have grown up in crime and see this
lifestyle choice as a way of providing for their own and their families’ needs. It is extremely
difficult for some offenders to move away from this viewpoint as in reality it is their personal
experience that this option has provided a good standard of living enabling them to live a
“normal life”. Many offenders could not possibly provide the same standard of living for
themselves or their families given the lack of education and skills they possess. What would
that life without offending look like for most prisoners?
However, the old way of having a prisoner serve his time and then “booting him out the
gate” does not prevent re-offending either. Issues such as addiction, homelessness and a
sense of being inferior or worthless in society need to be addressed. If someone has failed at a
number of things they lose the belief that change is possible and this is where the Prison
Officer’s role comes into play. Staff of all grades must be prepared to encourage and assist
offenders in our care to recognise the positive benefits of change to themselves and their
families.
However, the responsibility for the change must remain with the offender. For too long our
system has taken the responsibility away from the offender thus allowing the individual to
detach from the situation and put the blame on to someone else. This means that when things
go wrong they will point to what was not done for them, or who did not do something for
them. This in turn prevents offenders learning from their mistakes and moving forward with
19 | P a g e
the knowledge of how it went wrong and understanding the pitfalls to avoid the next time
they find themselves challenged.
“Do not let spacious plans for a new world divert your energies from saving what is left of
the old”.
Sir Winston Churchill
What would a more helpful approach be?
This research project has demonstrated to me that the Finnish and Canadian Prison Services
have recognised the benefit of having a progressive system of custody which aims to see
offenders placed in lower category establishments as soon as they are eligible. The offender
is assessed individually and correctly placed into an establishment that can provide the
necessary assistance he/she requires to make a safe and successful transition from custody to
community. The benefits in doing this are not only gauged against financial costs but also the
wider social benefits such a system provides for offenders returning to the community.
Overall, within the same budget the reduction in staffing needed at the lower security prisons
allows for increased staffing levels at the higher category prisons. This allows more bed
space and thus institutional tensions are reduced which makes for a much better system.
The main issue is for the Northern Ireland Prison Service is prisoner responsibility and the
fact is we currently remove far too much responsibility from an offender. With the exercise of
personal responsibility comes opportunities for individual offenders to change past
destructive lifestyle choices. Offenders’ ingrained personal habits and self defences are
confronted directly when prisoners are made responsible while in custody to earn the right for
safe and successful resettlement into the community through their own decision-making to
co-operate fully with the rehabilitative programmes of the prison service.
This recurring theme has gained momentum throughout my research. The practices I have
witnessed in Finland and Canada show that the inmate must be at the centre of the decisionmaking process. He/She must be given the opportunity to make personal choices and take the
responsibility for decisions made and actions taken within the rehabilitative process. While
offenders’ decision-making may result in good choices, or indeed bad choices, they must be
given the freedom to choose. As long as the decision-making remains with offenders, they
take ownership of their actions. While staff try and encourage offenders to make good
choices, that final choice must be theirs and the ramifications of making the wrong choice
must be fully explained to them. At present we in Northern Ireland remove from offenders
the exercise of choice and responsibility thus creating a group of people who do not wish to
take ownership of their own actions. Instead offenders pass on to what they see as the
“System” the responsibility for their decisions and actions. This in turn creates an easy optout when things go wrong. It is, as we all know at difficult times, easier to blame someone
else than take ownership of our personal issues, and for an offender this is also very true.
The introduction to outside agencies serving issues such as Drug or Alcohol counselling is
another area of best practice which I thought was interesting. Rather than the prison holding
these activities in-house, at the lower category establishments prisoners are given day-paroles
to attend the programmes in the local community which assists them in making positive
contacts prior to their release. This was also the case for Church Services, education and
20 | P a g e
work. Again by doing this, the prisoners are encouraged to build a network of friends (Better
Friends). This is achieved through more constructive means and positive relationships. It also
avoids a return to those failed, negative contacts that assisted offenders’ return to antisocial
behaviour and brought about further re-offending. However, the prisoner must recognise this
for themselves and be encouraged to break with the cycle of criminality if safe and successful
transition from custody to community is to be achieved.
In Finland and Canada the use of ex-offenders seems also to have been of benefit, though
with slightly differing results for both countries. In Finland I was impressed by the
professionalism and dedication of those ex-offenders working for KRIS (pages 43-47). Their
help seemed valued within the prisons and with the right level of security clearance this could
be achieved in NIPS. The Canadian model started in the Ontario region under the title Lifeline
which would seem to have been a great success. However, this model was adapted in the
Pacific region and became Link which until recently was also working well. As has been
explained to me, regardless of what the Prison does for an offender there will always remain
a level of suspicion of the penal organisation’s intentions. However, when an ex-offender
assists in the process this at times removes the barriers and is seen as helpful.
Another process I thought was a good example of working together and sharing information
was the Community Corrections Intervention Board (pages 122-123). These meetings are
held to share information and produce informed decisions as to the locations offenders are
returning to within the community. I felt with my own experience of working with hostel
providers this was a very positive step. All hostel providers are invited to meet with the
Probation Service and discuss those offenders coming up for release and their suitability or
not for each halfway house. This allows all relevant information on an offender to be shared
and as a result assists in true integration for the offender when leaving an establishment. The
information is shared with the offender’s consent and allows the most suitable halfway house
to offer them a placement. It also allows information to be given to the offender explaining
why he/she is unsuitable for other halfway houses.
I was also impressed with the speed of information flow and how quickly that information is
passed back to the offender. As the meeting takes place the offender’s notes on the Canadian
version of “Prism” are updated almost simultaneously and the information is placed on the
system. It was also explained that the halfway houses have restricted access to the prison’s
information system allowing them access to the offender prior to the meeting which gives
halfway house staff time to make a considered decision.
The research indicates that the key to long-term recovery is ‘internal motivation’, which
means that participants must recognise that they are the authors of their lives. Changing
behaviours through guidance has proved successful and, according to research, actively
enhances the development of internal motivation. A person doesn’t change because others
want him to; he changes because he wants to. (Taken from MRTC, see pages 85-90)
I witnessed an excellent training package for Prison Officers in Finland (pages 26-28). I felt
this was another area of best practice. It was evident talking to the Prison Officers I met that
they feel valued by their Service and their communities but just as importantly they feel
equipped and well trained to deal with all eventualities. Over the years the Finnish Service
21 | P a g e
have developed a very professional, credible and valued system of training. This system
includes a course for basic officers in the form of a degree level qualification, a course for
principal officers to develop on what was learned as a basic officer, and a higher degree for,
the most senior officials (Governors, Assistant Governors and Chief Officers).
The Degree now consists of 68 study weeks; new staff wishing to become prison officers can
join the summer experience scheme. This very beneficial scheme allows new entrants to
undertake work experience during the busy leave months in the prisons. During this time
these new entrants are assessed and reported on as either suitable or not for the role. When
positions become available participants are given the opportunity to become full-time staff,
subject to completing sucessfully the training process.
The benefit of the Finnish system is the Service can honour its staff-leave complement during
the busy periods without reducing staffing levels all-year-round. This in turn maintains the
ability to provide a consistent regime throughout the year. The other benefit is that staff can
avail of their leave quota which in turn prevents the accumulation of leave as evidenced in the
Northern Ireland Service. Management also have the opportunity to observe how potential
recruits fit into the role of prison officer and the candidate is given the oportunity to see if
they feel comfortable working as a Prison Officer. This role is also carried out on a slightly
reduced wage scale and therefore is a cost effective way of seeking new suitable staff.
Once recruits are accepted as prison officers they commence full-time training to become
officers. During this training they spend a number of weeks working at different prisons
within the system to gain experience of all types of prison establishment and the different
regimes run at each. The new entrants exchange process also encourages recruits to go and
work within other countries for periods up to four weeks. With individual recruits I had many
long conversations discussing the differences in regime and the management of offenders.
It was good to see that part of the curriculum for new entrants includes a section of training
where all cognitive behavioural work programmes are explained to them in depth. They also
have sessions on counselling skills, care and support, criminal law, administrative law,
human rights, psychology and professional ethics, minority cultures and even some basic
language skills, to reflect the number of foreign nationals they are now dealing with. This is
ground-breaking work which should not be over-looked as NIPS moves forward into a new
era.
The Finnish Prison Services training package is now in line with other training programmes
for the countries emergency services such as Police, Fire, etc. This allows for a change in
career development for an officer subsequently to join the Police or Fire Service. The number
of officers joining the Prison Service each year is between 40-80; however, there have only
been 40 entrants during the past year 2010/2011. Approximately one fourth of all recruits are
female.
The Degree that must be completed successfully is accredited by Laurea University of
Applied Sciences (Polytechnics) and the Training Institute of Prison and Probation Services.
This is very important and ensures the rigour and standard of the Degree is recognised as a
22 | P a g e
fully accredited higher education qualification. On completion of the first degree the route is
open to completing a Master’s Degree. The Master’s Degree is designed for those staff who
wish to pursue a senior position such as that of a Prison Director (Governor).
The Finnish Service has developed a truly international co-operation scheme and assists
countries such as Sweden, Estonia, Russian Federation, Northern Ireland and Namibia. The
Training Director Dr Hannu Kiehela believes this international outreach is an extremely
important role for their training programme. Dr Hannu Kiehela has encouraged strong links
being established with other countries to the benefit of their national Services.
“If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver.
Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous
whack”.
Sir Winston Churchill
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2011
“From Custody to Community – a more realistic and helpful approach”
Findings [1]
The Finland Prison Service
(Rikosseuraamus)
“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught”.
Sir Winston Churchill
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Reference Guide to Finland Visit, May 2011
Prison Service Training Institute
Pages 26 - 28
Helsinki City Prison and Assessment Centre
Pages 29 - 34
Kerava Prison
Pages 35 - 40
Silta Valmennus
Pages 41 - 42
C.R.I.S (Criminals ‘Return in to Society’)
Pages 43 - 47
OWN DOOR
Pages 48 - 50
Turko Prison
Page 51
The Community Criminal Sanctions Office, Vantaa
Pages 52 - 53
KRITS (Kriminaalihuollon Tukisaatio)
Pages 54 - 58
Hameenlinna Prison
Pages 59 - 60
Vanaja Prison
Pages 61 - 62
Suomenlinna Island Prison
Pages 63 - 75
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My Introduction to Finland
On my arrival in Finland I was met by Jari Helander who drove me to the Prison Service
College and made sure I was settled and had been assigned a room. As soon as I had
unpacked my gear Jari whisked me off to my first meeting with Ritva Vahakoski and Hannu
Luukkonen who are Senior Lecturers at the Prison Service College. They also introduced me
to three students from the Eastern Kentucky University Lindsey Upton, Travis Milburn and
Ashley Farmer who were also on an exchange visit to Finland while undertaking research for
their degrees.
Ashley Farmer, Lindsey Upton and Travis Milburn, Eastern Kentucky University.
The next morning at the Prison Service Training Institute I attended the Lecturers’ morning
meeting where I introduced myself and the reason for my visit. Ashley Farmer spoke about
the experience she and her colleagues had while visiting the Training Institute and this made
me aware I was in for a very informative and eventful trip. Mr Matti Laine, Principal
Lecturer, made a presentation on the work of the Training Institute. He related that training
for Prison Officers in Finland started 130 years ago and is seen as a very important part of a
Prison Officer’s role. Since the 1940s a system of three levels has been developed. This
system includes a course for basic officers, a course for principal officers, and a degree for
higher officials (Governors, Assistant Governors and Chief Officers).
A Training College was established in 1976 to centralise training; prior to this developement
most training was undertaken at various prisons. In 1986 a basic Degree was developed in the
Prison Service which was then offered to all new staff. The Degree consists of 53 study
weeks and is currently under review; it seems training will now be extended to a period of
26 | P a g e
about seventeen months. (During my visit this review proposal was accepted and the training
process will be extended to 68 weeks).
New staff wishing to become prison officers can join the summer experience scheme. This
very beneficial scheme allows new entrants to undertake work experience during the summer
months in prisons. During this time they are assessed as suitable or not for the role. When
positions become available participants are given the opportunity to become full-time, staff
subject to completing sucessfully the training process. The benefit of this system is that the
Service can honour its staff-leave complement during the busy periods without reducing allyear-round staffing levels. Management also have the opportunity to observe how potential
recruits would fit into the role of prison officer. This is done on a reduced wage scale for
summer recruits and therefore is a cost effective way of seeking new suitable staff. Once
these recruits are accepted as prison officers they commence full-time training to become
officers. During this training period they spend a number of weeks working at different
prisons within the system to gain experience of all types of prison establishments.
It was good to see that part of the curriculum for new entrants includes a section of training
where they have all cognitive behavioural work programmes explained to them in depth.
They also have sessions on counselling skills, care and support, criminal law, administrative
law, human rights, psychology and professional ethics, minority cultures and even some basic
language skills given the number of foreign nationals they are now dealing with.
The age of entry criteria is set at a minimum of 18 years of age; however, they much prefer
those with some life experience as they find this is more beneficial. At present the average
age of prison officers is 30 years. Most new entrants are educated to Degree level prior to
joining the service. The Prison Services training package is now in line with other training
programmes for emergency services such as Police, Fire, etc. This allows for change in
career developement for an officer subsequently to join the Police or Fire Service. The
number joining the Prison Service each year is between 40-80; however, there have only been
40 entrants during the past year 2010/2011. Approximately one fourth of all recruits are
female.
The Degree that must be completed is accredited by Laurea University of Applied Sciences
(Polytechnics) and the Training Institute of Prison and Probation Services. This is very
important and ensures the rigour and standard of the Degree is recognised as a fully
accredited higher education qualification. On completion of the first degree the route is open
to completing a Master’s Degree. The Master’s Degree is designed for those staff who wish
to pursue a senior position such as that of a Prison Director (Governor).
The Service has also set in place safeguards to ensure officers are not overlooked who do not
volunteer for regular training. As a result, a constant training programme for all officers in
service is available throughout their careers and a written record is available of their
participation.
Published articles on the training can be referenced through Acta Poenologia (Scientific
Studies). This is available through the Service’s extensive criminological library which
27 | P a g e
specialises in Prison and Probation Services, Criminology and Crime Policy. The library
currently holds over 23,000 volumes and over 170 Finnish and foreign periodicals. The
Library is open to the public and Ms Silja Rekomaa the Chief Librarian is extremly helpful.
The Finnish Service has developed a truly international co-operation scheme and assists
countries such as Sweden, Estonia, the Russian Federation, Northern Ireland and Namibia.
As a result of the Director of Training’s foresight the Service has also developed a student
exchange programme with the Eastern Kentucky University. The Training Director believes
this international outreach is an extremely important role for their training programme and he
has encouraged strongly firm links being established with other countries to the benefit of
their national Services.
The benefits of having properly registered and recognised qualifications seemed to be a
model of best practice. The training has been developed in conjunction with the other
emergency services and therefore, should you wish to transfer between departments, the
structures are in place to allow this to happen with a minimum of further training required.
The training package has been developed by Dr Hannu Kiehela, their Director of Training
who is very dedicated to his work and has a deep understanding of the professional benefits
of appropriate and credible training programmes for new entrants to the Prison Service. Dr
Kiehela and his staff all recognise the benefits which can be gained by both the host and the
visiting services and the opportunities afforded by sharing experiences across international
boundaries.
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often”.
Sir Winston Churchill
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Helsinki City Prison and Assessment Centre
I started the next day with a meeting with Senior planning officers Leena Lof and Sanna
Riila. This was at the prisoner assessment centre in Helsinki City Prison. We discussed the
process which is followed by the assessment centre where prisoners are committed to the
prison from the courts. All those found guilty at the courts in the southern region start their
period of custody at Helsinki City Prison. During that period a sentence plan is formulated
which details specifically the work required by the offender during their time in custody.
This includes any treatment work for Alcohol, Drugs issues, Anger Management, Cognitive
self change, Sex offender treatment programmes, or motivational work. The plan will also
state which prison establishment they will be placed in. The Finnish Service believe it is more
desirable to place offenders into open conditions where possible as quickly as possible. This
is due to there being a better chance of resettlement and that it is less costly than a closed
institution. However, naturally this is balanced against an offender’s perceived level of risk
either of escape or re-offending.
I interviewed an offender on the assessment landing and he stated he was disappointed in the
process because he had been a working prisoner while on remand which meant he was
earning a good wage. However, once he was sentenced he was returned to Helsinki to the
assessment centre and had been awaiting his assessment for eight weeks. This, while
upsetting for him, was understandable given the workload of the assessment centre. He did,
however, admit that he felt he would move on within the next few weeks.
29 | P a g e
I was introduced to Mr Jouko Pietila the Director of Helsinki City Prison. He gave me a
guided tour of the facility and explained that the prison was built in 1871 just after Criminal
Sanctions was formed. As we walked around the prison he explained that there were 270
offenders held there and that the prison housed the assessment centre for the southern region
and two further assessment centres served the rest of the regions. The prison seemed very
well kept, clean and tidy and the staff presented as professional and helpful.
For such an old prison, I was impressed by the constant renovations that were being done and
some the inventive ways of managing offenders. For example, I was shown the drug-free
landing. This landing is housed in an old area of the prison; however, the staff there must be
praised for the innovative way in which they have made it homely and quite a therapeutic
area. The use of plants and a communal meeting room converted from a storage area give
credit to the staff and offenders for their resourcefulness.
I interviewed a number of individual offenders who were located on the drug-free landing.
They gave testimony to the dedication of their instructors and staff. They described how they
applied to go on to the landing and the assessment process. One offender explained that his
partner had just given birth to their first child and this had made him decide to tackle his
addiction for the first time. He explained that he gets help from instructors and staff as well as
the other offenders on the landing who all describe this area as a community where
everyone’s voice is heard, both staff and offenders. They also explained that they all work
together preparing meals, watering the plants, and cleaning their landing.
This I thought was a model of best practice. Offenders can be drug tested at any time and it is
not uncommon for this to happen twice a week. It is explained during the assessment process
that they will be housed on the landing for eight months; however, they may get an extension
if there is no additional need for their place. During that eight months they are given help and
therapy to cope with the addiction. They are also encouraged to seek help from the other
offenders who have gone through similar issues. If they fail a drug test at any time during the
process they are removed immediately from the landing. They are not readmitted.
Another unit I was very impressed by was the older man’s unit. This unit was next to the
drug-free landing and exists for offenders who fall within the higher age bracket for the
prison. The oldest was sixty five years old. Offenders are unlocked at all times and do not
mix with other inmates. Again the landing was covered with plants and had a very relaxed
feeling surrounding it. The offenders explained to me that they were very happy on the
landing as they find it difficult to live among younger offenders who do drugs and play loud
music. They explained that there was minimal supervision as they all have routines which
they follow. Again, a community feeling has been developed where offenders’ ideas on
making the community better are listened to and, if posssible, adopted.
It was also explained how their release system works
Offenders who have not served imprisonment sentences within three years preceding the
30 | P a g e
current offence can be released on parole when they have served half of their sentence. If the
offence was committed when under 21 years of age, the corresponding time is one-third.
Otherwise, offenders sentenced to imprisonment can be released on parole when they have
served two-thirds of their sentence, or half of a sentence passed for an offence committed
when less than 21 years of age.
Release on parole is possible when at least 14 days of the sentence have been served.
On certain conditions, offenders convicted to serve the full term of the sentence can be
released on parole after serving 5/6 but at least three years of the sentence. Helsinki Court of
Appeal decides on the release.
Fine default offenders sentenced to conversion sentences for unpaid fine serve their sentence
in full. The length of several conversion sentences served simultaneously may not exceed 90
days. The maximum length of combined prison sentences served at the same time is 20 years.
Release of life sentence offenders
Offenders sentenced to life imprisonment can also be released on parole. The Helsinki Court
of Appeal decides on the release. Release on parole is possible when at least 12 years of the
prison sentence have been served. If the offence was committed when under 21 years of age,
the corresponding time is ten years.
Life sentence offenders can also be released by the pardon of the President of the Republic.
Probationary period and supervision
The probationary period imposed on parolees may not exceed three years.
The probationary period of life sentence offenders released on parole is always three years.
On average, every fifth parolee is ordered to supervision implemented by the Probation
Service. Supervision is used if the probationary period is more then one year or the offence
was committed when under 21 years of age. Offenders may also request supervision by
themselves.
If parolees are found guilty of new offences during the probationary period, a Court decides
whether they also lose their parole.
Supervised probationary freedom
Offenders serving either a fixed-term or life imprisonment can be placed in probationary
freedom a maximum of six months before their release on parole. If offenders sentenced to
serve the full term of their sentence are not released on parole after serving 5/6 of it, they are
placed in compulsory probationary freedom three months before their release.
Offenders are presumed to comply with abstinence from substances and other conditions of
the probationary freedom. Probationary freedom requires a release plan which includes
information on, e.g. the housing and livelihood of the released, obligation to participate in an
31 | P a g e
activity, daily schedule, and supervision of the probationary freedom. Prisons are responsible
for the supervision of probationary freedom.
Placement and allocation of offenders through the assessment centres
The prisons can be either closed prisons or open institutions. Offenders who participate in
work or rehabilitative activities, who are assessed to adapt to freer conditions, and who are
assumed not to leave the open institution premises without permission, are allocated to open
institutions. They are also required to commit themselves to supervised abstinence from
substances.
The new legislation on imprisonment, which entered into force in October 2006, emphasises
the promotion of the abilities of offenders to live without crime. Imprisonment is seen as a
three-phase, planned process, which consists of (i) arrival in prison, (ii) serving the sentence
and (iii) release.
Each of the five district prisons has its own assessment and allocation unit. The unit is
situated in one of the prisons belonging to the district prison and it is responsible for
allocating the offenders to the institutions of the district. People sentenced to unconditional
imprisonment are summoned to come to the assessment and allocation unit for an assessment.
In some cases, the assessment and allocation are made based on documents.
In the assessment and allocation unit, the offenders receive a detailed plan of the sentence
term, which is based on a risk and needs assessment as well as an assessment of the
functioning capacity of the offender. The allocation institution is chosen according to the
activity and rehabilitation needs of the offender and the required level of security in the
institution.
The measures recorded in the sentence plan are aimed to help the offenders to live without
crime and promote their re-integration into society. The plan also prevents offender
recidivism in the institutions and during prison home leaves or supervised probationary
freedom. The allocation institution is responsible for implementing and updating the sentence
plan.
Allocation of offenders
Offenders are transferred from the assessment and allocation unit to serve their sentence
either in a closed prison or an open institution. In open institutions, offenders are required to
commit themselves to supervised abstinence from substances. In certain cases, the assessment
and allocation unit may decide to place directly a sentenced person in an open institution.
In principle, offenders are allocated to a district prison closest to their place of residence.
Issues taken into account in the allocation include, among other things, the offenders' contact
with close relatives, age, sex, health, prior offences, wish, and possibility to be allocated to an
activity (work, education, rehabilitation) according to their sentence plan.
Men and women are placed in separate wards. Hämeenlinna Prison has a ward for mothers
and their children where offenders may be allowed to take their small children with them if it
is in the best interest; of the children. Children can stay in closed institutions until they are
32 | P a g e
two years old, and in open institutions until they are three years old. Besides Hämeenlinna
Prison, female offenders can be allocated to eight other prisons.
Beginning a sentence
A person sentenced to imprisonment or conversion of fine must be without delay sent to
serve his/her sentence when the sanction has gained legal force.
•
•
•
The offenders, who are not in the context of a sentencing ordered to be imprisoned,
wait for the enforcement of the sentence at liberty.
The Judicial unit of the Criminal Sanctions Agency states the sentences to be
enforceable and sends an enforcement order to the lower execution official of the
offenders’ home area.
The district bailiffs take care of sending the offenders to the penal institutions. The
offender is given a reporting order for the prison, travel directions and a ticket.
The allocation of an offender is decided by the assessment and allocation unit of the district
prison in the area were the offender lives.
The assessment and allocation unit may place an offender directly from freedom to an open
institution if the sentence is at most one year of imprisonment and/or it is a conversion
sentence for unpaid fines. In open institutions, offenders are required to commit themselves
to supervised abstinence from substances.
In 2008 all in all 16,013 sentences were entered in the sentence register kept by the Criminal
Sanctions Agency. 11,878 were unconditional prison sentences, 4,115 community service
sentences and 20 juvenile punishments.
A person innocently imprisoned may apply for compensation from the State Treasury.
Goals, values and principles;
The goals of the Finish Prison Service and Probation Services are to:
•
•
contribute to the security in society by maintaining a lawful and safe system of
enforcement of sanctions;
reduce recidivism and endeavour to break social exclusion that also reduces crime,
The sentences shall be enforced so that:
•
•
•
the enforcement is safe to society, the offender and prison personnel;
the offenders’ potential to cope in society and his well-being by honest means are
enhanced;
the offenders’ resources to adopt a life without crime will improve.
The central value of the Finnish Prison Service and Probation Service is the respect for
human dignity and justness. They believe in the potential for an individual to change and
grow. Also, the following principles are adhered to in their work:
•
Effectiveness: they are accountable to society in reaching the targets set for them;
33 | P a g e
•
•
•
•
Individuality and responsibility of an individual: they take into account an offender’s
situation and personal needs;
Professionalism: the Prison Service is demanding work that requires a professional
approach. Work is being evaluated and developed continuously;
Co-operation: they are working in co-operation with each other, with other
authorities, offenders, their relatives and other interested groups;
Good administration: functions are legal, open, and predictable, and the decisionmaking is as fast as possible.
(Mission and Short-term Policies of the Prison Administration and the Probation
Association 1999)
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Kerava Prison.
I visited Kerava Prison which houses a closed and open unit for 200 sentenced males. I was
shown around the prison by Hannu Luukkonen, Senior Lecturer at the Training Institute.
I visited the Drug-free community which is a self-governing community where two offenders
are elected and assist the staff in running the unit. They prepare a detailed weekly planner
which outlines times for recreation, telephone calls and classes taking into account each
offender’s classes and work appointments each week. These two representatives liaise with
staff on difficult issues in connection with the regime and discuss ideas which could improve
the unit. The unit has constant support from Psychology and they provide professional input
around difficult issues such as dealing with interpersonal conflict within the unit. This is done
on a weekly basis with any issues being written down and placed in a post box for discussion
at the next meeting.
The offenders I spoke to felt this was a very beneficial system as they could challenge,
appropriately, the behaviour of others which directly affected them. Once a week offenders
and staff get together and talk about what has been written and posted and they are
encouraged to discuss the issues with the group; however, the main rule is that offenders are
not allowed out of their seat. This is like circle time; however, it is on top of any offender
forum type meetings, a great deal of importance was placed on this system. Other unit rules
are about cleanliness and cooking which is done by each offender on a rota system.
35 | P a g e
Offenders are also encouraged to break contact with those they have been involved with in
drug taking and offending in the past. All phone calls are monitored as the landing phone has
been placed in the class office. These offenders are also encouraged to attend regular AA and
NA meetings on a weekly basis. On the drug-free landing they have two prisoner
representatives who are the two offenders who have been on the landing for the longest
period of time. The offenders have an office with access to a computer and printer (No
Internet). They bring forward discussions with the staff about improvements that could be
made on the offenders’ side or regime. They are also responsible for putting together the
timetable for the next week outlining Recreation time, group therapy time etc. (This seemed a
great way of having offenders take personal responsibility).
Every day starts and finishes with a brief meeting to see how everyone is coping. The rota
also states who will use the phone, who they will be contacting and for how long, 5 mins
max. Life skills are taught such as budgeting, cooking and offenders make a shopping list
once a week which they are then taken to a local shop to purchase. This helps offenders see
the cost of items and how they can prepare a menu plan for their week.
I also visited the Young Persons’ Landing. This is for young people aged between 16 and 29.
They only have bed space for up to eight individuals at a time. The main themes are
continuity of staff; two prison officers work three days on three days off. This system allows
a low turnover of staff and ensures the same officers are on the landing all the time. Two
Instructors are available everyday to the landing, and this means most days both are available
except when one is out in the community doing follow-up support for those who have been
released.
This is quite an intensive programme which leaves little free time as activities are run to keep
everyone involved. It did appear a very relaxed regime, for example cell doors open during
the day, but I could not help wonder what activities they organise apart from the programme
work. I interviewed an offender who was about 19 years old. He explained that he had been
in prison three times and usually just came in, did his time, and went back to the things and
friends he had before custody. However, he felt the landing gave him an opportunity to
change and this time he had promised his family he would change. The landing seems to have
a similar ethos to the Drug-free and older persons’ landings including no contact with other
offenders. Staff explained that they feel this is appropriate to allow guidance and decisionmaking by the offenders.
All offenders hope to move to open conditions at the prison and these include an extensive
garden and small farm where they grow flowers and produce vegetables for sale to the local
community. While I was there, I observed a number of people purchasing goods. The
offenders also tend to a small flock of sheep. All of these items are available for sale to the
local community. Offenders had also held a sale on the Saturday previous to our arrival, and
one of the offenders explained they had hundreds of people from the community buying
items. He felt this was a good experience as it was the first time he had experienced
(ordinary) people since he had been placed in custody.
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Some examples of the different work available in the open unit
There appeared to be a distinct difference between the landings holding those who wish to
engage in comparison with landings where inmates do not wish to engage, who become
involved in other illegal activities. In these circumstances landings appear locked with the
exception of their exercise period allowing staff to concentrate on those individuals who wish
to change or engage. This seemed to be a reasonable attitude towards managing available
resources and focussing on those individuals who wish to improve their situation versus a
minimal regime for those who do not wish to or are not ready to engage. Cells contain in
some instances 6, 8 prisoners in an area 6 metres by 4 metres although the other landings of
engaging prisoners are two to a cell with some single cell accommodation. Again, a distinct
difference is made between regimes which I felt was totally understandable.
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I was impressed by the model used for the drug free landing as outlined below.
Drug Free Model used for the Drug Free Landing at Keravo Prison Finland
Drug User on a Drug Free Landing – The Process
Drug User
Applies to Drug Free landing
Assessment for suitability carried out by landing
If found Suitable and committed Drug Tested and if passed moved to landing
Counselling Starts (Inside with Drug Tutors) (External Counsellor introduced closer to
release)
Discussion Groups held during which those finding it difficult are offered support from the
group or community.
Everyone is encouraged to take responsibility for their own and the community’s actions.
They are held on the Drug Free Landing for a maximum of 8 months.
Those on the landing the longest and considered to be doing well Mentor others.
Community cohesion is encouraged (Strength from within)
No Access to other Prisoners (This is a must)
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Mentors attend landings these are Ex Prisoners from organisations like CRIS.
Prisoners are encouraged to work together Cleaning, Cooking, and Painting etc.
A Strict Timetable designed by the prisoners is enforced to ensure little idle time, activities
rotated.
Two Landing Mentors (Usually those there the longest assist new and other prisoners).
Regular Daily Community Meetings to discuss regime issues and normal landing activities.
AA and NA have regular weekly meetings on the landings.
Psychology has a daily input (one worker on the landing is a Psychologist).
Coming Close to Release referrals are made to outside agencies and they are encouraged to
visit the landing and make contact with the prisoner at least on one occasion before he leaves.
During the last few weeks mentoring support will increase
During the last few weeks AA or NA involvement will increase.
Their Community responsibilities will also increase.
Short increasing visits to outside agencies in preparation for release.
39 | P a g e
Handover completed with receiving area approximately two weeks prior to discharge.
Regular MONTHLY feedback from receiving agency for the first six months.
Meeting with ex prisoner after six months for feedback about the system.
Feedback after one year from release.
Case Closed.
In the event of the prisoner returning to prison a thorough review needs to be completed on
the issues that have brought them back into custody.
(Lessons needed to be learned considered)
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
Sir Winston Churchill
40 | P a g e
I then travelled by train to Tampere to visit some housing projects.
Silta Valmennus
I visited two Housing projects run by two organisations, the first Silta Valmennus which is a
housing association with special emphasis on Drug and Alcohol addiction. They have 13
apartments for those in need of rehabilitation. Silta is a non-profit organisation, who raise
their running costs from a number of areas such as the City of Tampere, Education
Institutions, Labour Force Service Centres the Employment Offices, Charity donations and
applications. Silta means “a bridge” and valmennus “coaching” meaning they coach people
by building a bridge with a view to their being able to live “Normal Lives”.
They take on numerous different types of cases with various levels of ability. The project is
linked fully to external agencies such as their version of the Job Centre, Alcoholics
Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Housing Charities.
The process is a three-step process. Step one lasts for three months and allows the person to
settle into the community, to make friends with the others there, and during this time be
mentored by those who have lived there the longest and are considered to be doing well.
During this time they are monitored and asked to identify their own particular skills which
can guide them into employment or further education. (An excellent example of offenders
taking responsibility and control of their own needs).
The next stage is treatment which is for a further period of three months. During this time
they are expected to engage fully with counselling and ask for assistance as they require it.
41 | P a g e
The daily planner and activities available to residents
Throughout the first two stages regular alcohol and drug tests are carried out and should they
fail they must leave the Centre. There are three main rules: No Crime, No Violence and No
Drugs or Alcohol. Any breach of these means offenders will be removed. Within these
boundaries any other issues can be discussed by the community as a whole.
During the first six months ex-offenders are encouraged to build a new support network. This
can include people from www.KRIS.fi they try to assign each person a key worker and the
KRIS worker makes contact in the prison before they are released.
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What is KRIS / CRIS?
CRIS (Criminals ‘Return in to Society’) is an international non-profit-organisation that exists
in eight European countries. The organisation started in Sweden 1997, and the first CRISassociation in Finland was started in 2003.
In Finland CRIS operates in seven different localities (correct as of 31.3.2010). The
keywords are honesty, solidarity, comradeship and abstinence from drugs. The experience of
the older members concerning a criminal way of life and, above all, the break from it is the
basis of how CRIS. tries to help other people in similar circumstances.
They try to be of assistance to ex-offenders during their first period of freedom.
Pick-up at release
In order to give the offender an honest alternative, CRIS contacts inmates while they are still
incarcerated. The contacts are intensified during the period just prior to their release. On the
date of release, a number of members of CRIS. meet the ex-offender outside the walls of the
prison in order actively to show the new member what true comradeship means. There must
be neither time nor space to fall back into the old criminal way of life.
An important ingredient of CRIS is the work of a pool of supervisors. Older members of the
Association are meant to function as a link of integration between new members and society
and its authorities on the other hand. The idea is that the recently released member will be
able to get in contact with his or her Aid Person by phone or personally, in order to get direct
help and support when difficult situations arise after release from custody. The contact
between the Aid Person and the released member is reinforced by their common background.
The Aid Person is reachable 24 hours a day and is equipped with a mobile phone which may
also be issued to the released member.
Many offenders released from prison have acquired a suspicious attitude towards the judicial
system and other authorities. Here, CRIS enjoys great confidence among inmates all over the
country and it can function effectively in its activities. The interest of the media has been
considerable cons and CRIS has tried to make use of this to spread the message that there are
solid alternatives to a life filled with drugs and criminality.
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CRIS is an Association of ex-offenders and addicts and stands for: Honesty, Free from
Drugs, Comradeship and Solidarity.
CRIS's target group is ex-offenders and addicts who have decided to start a new life on their
return to society. The idea is to help people who are released from prison to stay away from
crime and drugs by offering them a new, honest and drug-free social network.
CRIS in Finland and in practice
The contact between CRIS and the offender is maintained throughout the whole sentence.
They will pick up the prisoner from the prison gates when the day of release comes. After
release, they will start to build up a new kind of life, using the authorities and networks which
collaborate with CRIS.
CRIS offers peer support, experience and is a confidential service. The support starts a few
months before release and continues until the person can stand on his or her own feet. They
are aware of the critical moment and impact release holds for an offender.
Prison Work
The goal of prison work is to support offenders in freeing themselves from the triangle of
drugs, crime and prison. In support of this, meetings are held in the prisons where CRIS
workers share experiences and offer peer support to help inform offenders of future
possibilities within society.
Activity Centre
The Activity Centre is open daily (not on Sunday), offering a team which can help offenders
manage the integration process. Team members help them contact and co-operate with
officials. The Activity Centre offers a place where they can meet people daily and build new
networks and friendships in their new clean lifestyle.
Offered Services
CRIS offers several services for which the Criminal Sanctions Agency and the City Social
and Health Care Services provide funding. This is common practice in Finland, where the
State and the City are responsible for covering the social service needs of their citizens. CRIS
offers services to released prisoners which the City is willing to finance.
Services
Examples of the services they provided:
-Supported housing
-Rehabilitative working activity
-5 hour drug rehab
-Partial rehabilitation during sentence
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-Accommodation during home leave from prison.
-Young offenders’ programmes
-Support programme for community service
-Criminal Lifestyle-programme
Free Time Activity
CRIS arranges sport and other leisure activities for its clients and members. There are weekly
soccer practices, floor and volleyball games and tournaments. Besides that there are regular
movie evenings.
Products
CRIS is co-operating in several national and local projects financed by the state or the cities.
The goal of the projects is to improve the opportunities of released offenders in education, the
labour market, housing and self support.
CRIS has more than 50 co-operation partners.
Statistics for 2009
Prison work
-Personal meetings in prison
-Pick-up when released
-Leave support
-Theme sessions
-Sport
1052 (143 inmates)
79 inmates
156
70 meetings
16 games
Activity
Centre
-Visits in Activity Centre
-Support meetings in civilian life
-Case Management
-Supported visit in official authorities
-Under continuous support
-Theme events
7992
1467
1229
182
115
37
visits
meetings
customers
visits
customers
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Youth Work (started 2009 in Tampere)
-Young people
-Group meetings
-Support meetings and information sessions, education or labour market
-Camp
30
90
250
1 (10) people
Staff/ Personnel
Paid employees
5
Supported employees
12
Volunteers
46
Total
89
Students
13
Regular members
453
Supporting members
342
The values of CRIS work
Voluntary and mutual agreement to support persons, who have a history of problems with the
authorities, common language-opportunity to relate, similar history of the triangle of drugs,
crimes and prisons. It is more difficult to maintain a "dishonest lifestyle" with staff who come
from a similar background. Staff work as a bridge between the authorities and the offender.
This enables co-operation and future planning through peer support; it is then easier to gain
professional help from the authorities.
They are a living example of a changed lifestyle, an example of clean life and re-integration
to society.
They are also encouraged to make the right choice of new friends, that is those individuals
not involved in the drugs or alcohol scene. They are also encouraged to take up new hobbies
or activities that do not place them in danger from their old friends and habits. It is important
this new network is available to give them help and assistance if it all goes wrong.
There are a number of work experience opportunities for them within the Centre’s Cafe
which serves breakfast, dinner and tea, and is also open to the public. Offenders can be
placed there for short periods to learn basic work ethics like attendance, timekeeping etc and
there are other opportunities for life skills development nearby.
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During their period of rehab their rent is paid for by social housing similar to housing benefit.
They may also be on community probation which will see their probation officer visit the
Centre to see them. Prison staff may also visit during periods of community probation to
check if they are where they are supposed to be and that there is no risk to the public. The
Centre seems accepted in its environment and it was explained that there are criteria agreed
with the community for who can stay at the Centre. It was also explained that the public are
made aware by the prison of who is coming to stay with them and what that individual’s level
of need and risk are. This helps build trust between the Centre and the local community. At
times a waiting list does develop; however, I was assured that this never lasts too long. All
treatments at the Centre are adaptable and can be changed to suit an individual’s needs. If
they make mistakes, where possible, they are given a second chance unless they break one of
the three core rules already stated. It is impressed on each individual that it is a privilege to
live within the group and that people need to believe in the community. If you are not
prepared to do this then you will be asked to leave.
While at the Centre I interviewed a mentor from CRIS who had previously been a resident
and his experience was wholly positive. He stated that after his treatment he was encouraged
to go into a local housing project Own Door that helps the homeless and especially exprisoners. There he settled into his own home for a number of months while workers assisted
him to learn the skills he required to maintain his own home such as budgeting, paying rent,
cooking for himself, and not returning to his former drug abuse. When the workers were
happy he could cope on his own they assisted him to apply for local social housing. He then
felt that as he had found his mentor from CRIS very helpful, then he too, would like to help
others. He has now been clean for 10 years and has been helping others with CRIS for about
8 years.
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Own Door
I visited Own Door which is a project in the community for homeless people and exoffenders who require help getting into a permanent housing, solution. It is a complex of 20
homes which have been rented from social housing and were supported housing is now
available. I met with the team running the project and they spoke of some of the difficulties
working with the individuals who come to live in their project. Not only does Own Door take
referrals from SILTA but they also receive offenders directly from the prison as well as
homeless people from the community. Own Door state that when a handover is done from
SILTA or the Prison it is not as difficult because they are made fully aware of the issues and
deficits people have prior to coming to the project. Before, this may not have always been the
case, especially with those coming from the community.
Own Door assist those sent to them by helping individuals take control of their lives so they
can ultimately take responsibility for themselves and move on to social housing and an
independent existence. Each case they deal with is individual and, as such, there is no time
limit on someone’s stay; however, it is anticipated most will move on after eight months.
None the less, some individuals have stayed for up to a year. The staff seemed dedicated, and
while the accommodation is basic in many ways, it fulfils the requirements of someone with
nowhere to go. Each area has a bedroom, living area, kitchen and bathroom. They all come
with basic furnishings such as television and radio. After speaking to these workers it
impressed on me the need for a detailed hand-over which I feel would be of particular benefit
to offenders and those at risk of re-offending.
The Finnish Service brought out a new policy in 2009/10. The policy identified the particular
needs of those making the transition from custody to community. This pro-active and positive
mind-set seems fully integrated with the processes already described, from the drug-free
landings to the young and older people’s areas. The policy was not available in English so I
have not included it. However, I have tried to produce what a handover document might look
48 | P a g e
like and what information is shared between the agencies which benefits a more focussed,
integrated approach to resettlement.
Hand-over to the community: what would this look like?
Usual Details
Name
Prison
Number
Sentence
DOB
EDR
Offences
Normal Home Area:
Intended Living Area:
Homeless: YES/NO
Relative Support: YES/NO
Contact: YES/NO
Details:
Details:
Addiction Issues: YES/NO
Details:
What has been done while in custody?
Anger Management Issues YES/NO
Details:
What has been done while in custody?
Mental Health Issues: YES/NO
Details:
What has been done while in custody?
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Sexual Offending Issues: YES/NO
Details:
What has been done while in custody?
Any Behavioural or other known issues: YES/NO
Details:
What has been done while in custody?
Sentence Managers Contact Details:
Case Managers Contact Details:
Any Other interested Persons contact details:
I agree that the information contained in this document has been read to me and I agree that it
can be shared with other agencies that are to assist in my resettlement into the community.
Signed by Officer who read the statement of disclosure__________________Date_________
Signed by Prisoner________________________________Date_______________________
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Turko Prison (Finland)
I visited Turko Prison. (Eastern Finland Region).
Turko Prison is the newest and highest security establishment in Finland. It houses 350
offenders in two high rise towers one with four floors and one with three. It is very well laid
out and each landing was similar to prisons I had previously seen in Kingston, Ontario with
the exception that these can be easily divided from each other so no landing can see the next.
This helps when offenders need separated from each other.
The security of the prison means all landings or areas move independently of each other. No
offender travels anywhere above ground level as a system of tunnels is in use for all
movement including the yards. The yards are also built below ground level but open to the
elements, I found this an ingenious idea which worked well as offenders can be in any of the
eight exercise areas at the same time while no one knows anyone else is there! The prison
houses both male and female, and I observed both sexes in the yards at the same time.
However, there was none of the usual shouting etc due to the fact no one is aware the other is
there! Each tower block also has two separated yards on the roof for use by those in
segregation and, again, this seemed robustly managed without incident.
Staffing levels on each floor were four staff, one principal officer and three prison officers.
They were overseeing eighty single celled inmates; however, I was told some floors have
doubled cells. In relation to the cells the way they have been constructed was a very clever
idea also. Each cell had a toilet and wet room which had an individual drainage point. All
floor levels slope towards the drainage point. This means that any attempt by an offender to
flood a cell would be difficult. No cell windows are on the same level wall which means lines
cannot be used to pass items from cell to cell.
Turko is the Assessment Centre for the Eastern region, so all offenders being sent into
custody arrive there for a decision on which prison they will be sent to. It also houses those
who are deemed the most high risk, or cannot mix for various reasons, with other offenders.
Turko also has a small population of life sentence offenders, 16 male and 2 females. The
workshop area would appear to be an excellent resource. It was explained that they make
chairs, stools, lockers etc which are then sold on to business thereby making money for the
prison and the prisoners. The offenders are encouraged to save some money so they can
either have a lump sum on release to help them during their return to the community, or give
some financial resources to their family to assist them while they are in custody. This helps
offenders take responsibility for their families while in custody, instead of the easy opt out
“I’m the one in prison what can I do?”
The prison offers all available offending related programmes and those of lower risk will be
transferred to a unit offering them more assistance. All cells have a television which has
within the prison the ability to receive on-air productions from within the prison. For
example, if you do not wish to attend mass you can watch it being broadcast live on your
television. The same is true of Education Classes - the list is endless. If the Governor wants to
relay a message to inmates, it can also be done this way. Other workshops available are an
upholstery shop which refurbishes some very ornate chairs and couches. They also have a
textile shop and a book binding service where old books are hand-stitched and restored.
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The Community Criminal Sanctions Office, Vantaa
I attended a Meeting in RSKK with The Community Criminal Sanctions Office, Vantaa with
Probation Officers Almaleena Suomala and Heli Timmerbacka.
Like the Prisons the Probation Service is split into three regions and covers 28 prisons and 15
Community Sanctions offices with three central Assessment Centres.
Community Sanctions are broken down into four parts;
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Supervision of conditionally sentenced young offenders.
Juvenile punishment.
Community Service.
Supervision of parolees.
Breaking this down.
(1) Is for juveniles under the age of 21. They will be supervised in the community and not
sent to prison. The period of probation can be up to a maximum of three years. During this
time they are supervised for a maximum of one year and three months having to attend up to
two appointments per month. During these interviews their offending behaviour is discussed.
The aim is to encourage young offenders to keep away from criminal behaviour and
substances. It is also about promoting offenders’ ability to function in society in an
appropriate way. Prior to sentencing a pre-sentence report is prepared outlining the offender’s
suitability for this type of sanction.
(2) Is for those offenders who have committed an offence when aged less than 18 years. This
will be for a period of 4-12 months with appointments 1-2 times per week. It consists of a
programme of stricter supervision activities and programme work, and a period of orientation
to employment and work. However, this is a sanction that is used rarely, unless it is for a
repeat high-risk offender. The programme work is individually tailored to suit his/her needs.
(3) Instead of a custodial sentence offenders can be sentenced to a maximum of 8 months
probation or as a supplement to a conditional sentence. This will only be used if an offender
is willing to engage “and” is capable of carrying out community service. 1 hour of
community service is equal to 1 day of imprisonment. This is usually between 20 and 200
hours. The community work must be in the offender’s leisure time and must be unpaid work.
Places of service are non-profit organisations such as churches, hospitals and homes for the
elderly. The offender can repay 30 hours by completing an offending related programme;
however, they must attend and participate fully. Every time an offender attends community
service it is checked by phone, or by an unannounced visit to the work location. This is
strictly enforced. Minor breaches are dealt with by verbal or written warnings. If the breach is
considered serious, or new offences are committed during the period of community service,
the remaining period once re-considered by Court can be converted into imprisonment.
The main reasons Community Service is not completed is down to addiction issues where the
person is incapable of completing the service due to his/her addiction and being unable to
remain sober and function normally. This accounts for about 18% of this type of order not
being completed. The price of one night’s custody, Euro 200, is compared to One Hour’s
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community service 13.50 Euro. The most common offences which attract this option are
drink driving, less serious assaults including domestic violence and some thefts.
(4) Supervised Parole is when offenders are released into the community under supervision to
serve the rest of their sentences. It includes regular meetings (1-2 per month), attending
programmes as required, and enhancing social functional ability. All appointments must be
attended on time while being free of substances. If offenders fail to report then the Police will
be asked to bring them to the appointment. If they seriously violate their terms then the public
prosecutor is notified. The aim is to promote social coping and prevent re-offending which, in
turn, promotes public safety.
(5) Supervised Probationary Freedom. This option can be enacted up to six months before the
end of an offender’s sentence. They are released by the prison service and supervised by
them. Any breach of the Parole and they will be returned to prison straight away. This period
is used to bridge the gap between sentence and community. During this period they are
introduced to those who can continue to assist them on release. They will meet their future
parole officer who will get to know them before starting the supervision period.
During the pre-sentence assessment it will be decided if an offender on sentence should be
immediately taken into custody. If it is decided that he does not come into custody
immediately he will be told he will receive a letter from the assessment centre outlining when
and to what prison he should report to serve his sentence. However, this only applies to
offenders serving less than two years and those who present as no high risk to the public. This
system assists the prison with issues around overcrowding and allows the prisons to use
predictable times when less direct committals are expected to be used to the prison’s
advantage. The offender has a vested interest in this system as it allows them to prepare their
families, work and affairs prior to coming into custody. It will also mean they generally go
straight to an open prison. However, the Southern Region experience a high number of
prisoners who do not attend on the date arranged. Therefore, arrest warrants are issued and
offenders initially go to closed institutions.
Those under 21 serve only one third of any prison sentence given; the rest of the sentence is
on Probation. However, if you are a second or multiple time offender then you will serve
two-thirds of any sentence imposed and the remainder on Probation.
The Finland system has moved away from placing in custody those who have unpaid fines as
this was seen to be an expensive way of dealing with the costs of imprisonment.
I was then taken to the Finnish Aviation Museum where two offenders are currently carrying
out community service. The offenders assist with building projects at the Museum and help
set up artefacts for the public to view. The Director, Mr Matias Laitinen and his team, told me
that this was much needed help and as they do not have a huge budget it helps them run the
Museum for the community. The Museum is an impressive collection of Finish Aviation
History and one which, on the day I was there, was well attended by the general public. The
Director informed me that this arrangement with community sanctions had been in place for
10 years without any risk to the public or the Museum, and it is one he wishes to continue
with in the future. He stated that he asks the Probation team to find suitable people with
possibly a background in building and those who would not mind working in a public area.
This seems to be a team effort and showed a sensitive awareness on both sides of what was
required from those completing community service at the Museum.
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KRITS (Kriminaalihuollon Tukisaatio).
Later that day I attended a meeting at KRITS (Kriminaalihuollon Tukisaatio). This is an inner
city project in Helsinki which provides Halfway House accommodation, Supported Housing
and follow-up homes for ex-offenders. It also provides treatment for substance abusers and a
number of other programmes to assist those returning into the community.
I was given a presentation by Ms Mia Juselius which outlined the history and assistance that
is offered to ex-offenders. It is a similar project to Own Door which I visited and referred to
earlier. It is also intending to offer the same services under a new project. Along those lines
they will not allow anyone not engaging or failing substance testing to remain part of the
project. These rules will be strictly enforced.
History
The roots of the Probation Foundation and Probation Service are the work of the Prisoners’
Association, which focused exclusively on helping ex-offenders. After they re-organised in
August 2001, this work which was originally included in the Probation Association's duties,
was continued by the Probation Foundation.
•
•
•
•
1870 The Finnish Prisoners’ Association
1966 The Probation, Registered Association
1975 The Public Probation Association
2001 The Probation Service
Probation and After-care Association 1975-2001
•
•
•
a public corporation funded by the government
the enforcement of community sanctions
housing support
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•
•
•
•
•
employment guidance
general guidance and financial support
during the 1980s the social and legislative development led to the view that inmates’
after-care is an obligation of municipalities
the after-care system of Probation Association was gradually dissolved
increased emphasis on enforcement of community sanctions
Probation Service and Probation Foundation KRITS 2001
•
•
•
•
•
the Probation and Aftercare Association was nationalized
almost whole emphasis on community sanctions
the municipalities are not capable of responding to the needs of released inmates
need for NGO aftercare organisation
Probation Foundation founded
The Foundation’s Purpose
The purpose of the Probation Foundation - Kriminaalihuollon tukisäätiö, KRITS - is to
reduce offender recidivism. The Foundation aims to help people who have been convicted of
a crime, are in a crisis situation because of a crime, or are facing social ostracism. The
Probation Foundation develops and furthers probation and after-care services and supports
voluntary work. Also, the Foundation brings its influence to bear in the field of criminal
policy and promote the interests of its target group. The goal of the Probation Foundation is
to create a nationally significant and influential network of organizations in the field of
probation and after-care.
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The Foundation realises its aims through various activities
•
•
•
in the field of research, development and education of probation and after-care,
in bringing its influence to bear in the field of criminal policy,
by promoting the interests of its target group, voluntary work and by securing the
services necessary for its target group.
Influential Actions
•
The Probation Foundation acts as an active influential actor in the development of the
legislation of the field, various projects and researches as well as supervising the
interests of its target groups. The Foundation has representatives in ministerial
working groups and consultative committee of the Finnish Criminal Sanctions
Agency. The Foundation also has an Ombudsman to promote probation and aftercare.
The development and promotion of Probation and After-care
The Probation Foundation actively carries out development projects. The purpose of projects
is to create necessary support services in the field of probation and after-care for the
municipalities and sanctions system. The Foundation furthers probation and after-care by
education and working in different co-operative organs. Furthermore, the Foundation grants
financial assistance for research, development and education of Probation and after-care and
for voluntary work.
Ombudsman
The Probation Foundation has completed a project providing the services of an Ombudsman
for Probation and After-care (Kriminaaliasiamiesprojekti, 2002-2006). The goal is to clarify
the existing demand for this kind of service and to clarify the legal position and deficiencies
of the positions of the target group (prisoners, clients of probation service and after-care and
their families). The Ombudsman is the supervisor of the interests of the members of his/her
target group as regards service organisations. The Ombudsman was established in 2006 and
the service was reinforced in 2008 when a social worker joined in.
After-care Programme
A wide-ranging After-care Programme was carried out in 2003-2008. The purpose of this
project was to develop both the scope and quality of the support services, rehabilitation for
independent living and working life, and to further psycho-social rehabilitation after release
from prison, arranging debt and benefit applications and related services as well as support
for the family of the ex-prisoner and for the clients of the probation service. The project was
the first of many co-operative projects between various NGOs, municipalities and Probation
and After-care organisations. The aim of these programmes is to create a nationally
significant and influential network of organisations in the field of Probation and After-care,
co-ordinated by the Probation Foundation.
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The producer of Support Services
The Probation Foundation provides supported housing services and peer support services in
the capital area. It has a peer support contact point Redis in Helsinki. The services of Redis
and supported housing services are for released prisoners in the capital area engaged in
rehabilitation. The services of the Foundation’s Ombudsman for probation and after-care are
national. The Ombudsman supervises the interests of ex-offenders and he practices law in all
matters of rehabilitation and after-care. The Foundation also maintains an internet portal
'Portti vapauteen' ('Gate to Freedom') for released prisoners and their families.
The Sound Family 2007 - 2010
A preventive and rehabilitative project to develop peer support groups and training for
prisoners and their families
Aim of the project
The Sound Family development project is a four-year (2007-2010) project funded by the Slot
Machine Association and aimed at development work with offenders and their families. The
purpose of the project is to design a preventive and rehabilitative peer support group model
for offenders and their families and to produce a training package for the personnel in the
field of criminal sanctions and for interest groups. The project is co-ordinated by the
Probation Foundation.
On Your Own Two Feet
Hands - On Financial Counselling by Peers
The project helps people with financial problems and those heavily in debt who are
marginalised, or those at risk of marginalisation and easily excluded from public financial
57 | P a g e
and debt counselling or other assistance. Early intervention by means of financial counselling
prevents those in financial difficulties from getting deeper into debt or, at least, helps them to
find ways to better cope with their debts. The purpose of the project is to create a peer
support model in which trained peer counsellors provide low-threshold financial counselling,
and to assist people with financial problems and those heavily in debt into the sphere of
assistance.
The On Your Own Two Feet project is administered and co-ordinated by the Guarantee
Foundation and is implemented with assistance from the Slot Machine Association, 20062009. The project is a nationwide network project with the A-Clinic Foundation, Federation
of A Guilds, Probation Foundation, Finnish Central Association for Mental Health, Finnish
Blue Ribbon, Finnish Mental Health Society and Finnish Federation of Settlements as
cooperation partners and implementers.
Placement in supported accommodation (2007-2010)
Housing - Guidance
Intensive guidance for those in supported housing
The Placement in Supported Accommodation (SOAP) project is one of the housing services
provided by the Probation Foundation for released prisoners. The project is connected with
the new Finnish Imprisonment Act which decrees that offenders should be discharged from
prison in a well-planned manner. The aim is to enable the released offender to choose
accommodation that will support a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle and in this way reduce the
risk of relapse and recidivism often associated with release from prison.
I interviewed a young man at the Centre who has been staying with them for a little under one
year. He had progressed through the system until he had his own apartment. However, things
started to go wrong for him. He had started to take cannabis again and this was leading him in
the wrong direction. He realised what he was doing wrong and approached the staff. He gave
up his apartment and joined the substance abuse programme again which meant him
beginning all over again. He is now back, in the halfway house under a strict rehab regime.
He stated his experience of leaving custody and coming to KRITS was a positive one and
everyone from the Prison Staff to the KRITS workers had been really supportive. He felt it
was really reassuring when someone from KRITS came to see him while he was still in
custody as he felt this made it so much easier to come to them on his release. He felt the
Prison staff gave him accurate, relevant information on his options and that the guidance he
was given was very helpful.
As with any element of release, risk assessment plays its part; however, I feel we all need to
realise offenders are human beings and failure is what we all of us do best. Therefore, instead
of looking for a scapegoat, we should re-examine what was done, how it could be done better
(if indeed it could have been done better) and who will carry that work forward. In our
Service in Northern Ireland we fall into the blame game culture far too quickly.
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Hameenlinna Prison
I visited Hameenlinna Prison: this is a closed prison for male and female Prisoners. I was
given a tour of the prison by Samuli Laulumaa, Acting Director. We started by looking at the
Mother and Baby Unit which is staffed by Social Services rather than Prison Staff and is a
small unit offering placements for three prisoners and their babies. It was explained that the
mother can retain her baby in the unit until the child becomes three years old. The facilities
were good and it seemed very relaxed and the Social Worker explained that they help
mothers with parenting issues throughout their time in the unit.
We moved on to view one of the landings which housed a number of short-term offenders,
mostly in single cell accommodation. However, there is little work being done with this
short-term, quick turn-around population. They still slop out as there are no toilets in the
cells. However, they eat their meals collectively in a dining hall and attend exercise and the
gym together. Little is done with this population as they come and go within short periods of
time.
We visited the workshops and I was shown around the laundry which was a busy area where
20 offenders work. The offenders do the laundry for every prison in Finland. A private
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haulage firm collects and delivers the laundry to all the prisons. This was an extensive
workshop which was extremely busy; however, the offenders I spoke to said they were happy
to work there as the work never stopped and it fills their day. These offenders get paid 90
cents Euro per hour for this work.
The next workshop I visited prepared first night in Prison packs which contain all the usual
items: toothpaste, water gallon etc. They have a team of offenders constantly making up these
packs. The next workshop I was shown around was a sewing shop that repairs any damaged
clothing or sheets etc that have been sent to the laundry. One instructor and three female
prisoners work in this area. This was when it suddenly dawned on me that both male and
female prisoners are housed in this establishment. Although separated the prison seemed very
relaxed about holding male and female offenders together.
I attended an end of term party for three female offenders who had completed successfully an
education programme. During the programme they had taken part in Drama, Singing,
Dancing etc. One of the offenders sang an old gypsy love song she had learnt while on the
programme. It was interesting to note that most of the Senior Managers attended this event. It
concluded with pizza, ice cream and coffee.
The Prison Museum
I was given a tour of the Prison Museum by Mr Matti Laine, (Principal Lecturer). The old
prison showed a history of the Finnish Service and was like the former Crumlin Road Prison
in Belfast. It had a number of artefacts on display including a number of uniforms dating
back to the eighteenth century. I was amazed at the number of school children visiting, and
when I asked I was told three hundred school children had passed through the museum that
day.
The prison dates back to the 1800s and provides an income which maintains the property for
the generations. It is a pity that some of our own prison history has not been maintained for
posterity.
Matti informed me that this site was visited very regularly by members of the public and that
it gave meaning to school groups exploring the history of criminal justice within Finland.
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Vanaja Prison
My arrival at Vanaja Prison was a complete surprise driving down a tree-lined avenue with
green fields all around, and of course, more trees as Finland has more trees than anywhere I
have ever visited! Then to come upon a yellow-brick building that resembled something like
a normal government building should look, but with a lake in the distance and quite a few
houses set about the general locality, was a bit surreal.
I was met by Erja Pietila, Probation Social Worker and welcomed into the building. As we
walked in there was a reception area and I noticed a number of cycling helmets hanging on a
wall and a number of sets of Nordic walking poles. It looked like a youth hostel back home. I
was taken to meet the Acting Director, Marjatta Kurri and she was very welcoming.
Marjatta explained this institution was for female offenders and was an open-style
establishment. We had a long discussion about my research and the areas I was particularly
interested in. She confirmed that prisoners living in the open unit were encouraged to seek
out help in the community and develop relationships with external organisations prior to their
release. If a prisoner wants to attend training, work or therapy in the community, they apply
to the Director who will consider the request and then may give permission for them to leave
the unit and travel to the activity. Again this has proved advantageous to the unit as it helps
the offenders when it becomes time to move out into the community.
The only difficulty arose when the offenders were not returning to that general area. A lot of
work appears to have been done by the staff in assisting the offenders to take responsibility
for themselves and their lives. For example meals are taken in the unit’s canteen but at
weekends they must cook their own food. If they cannot cook they can attend classes run in
the canteen which will teach them how to prepare and cook a meal. The offenders’
accommodation is laid out in a number of lodges. The accommodation is shared between two
offenders and they must keep their own area clean and maintained to a high standard. A
number of the female offenders work outside the unit and I noted a large number work for the
Forestry Commission.
There is also a house which has four separate apartments which are used for family visits
lasting up to four days. The offender is allowed to bring their partner and children, and in
some cases, this is also extended to their sister, brother, mother and father. This rationale is to
try and bring the extended family back together as a support for the offender on release.
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The apartments have two or three bedrooms, a living area and a kitchen. The visitor is
allowed to bring one bag of food items while everything else is supplied by the offender.
Inmates must buy most of the food as well as prepare and clean the apartment for the arrival
of their guests. Once in the apartment offenders live like they would on release for the four
days and have a play area outside for the children with a BBQ area and seating. They are free
to move around outside and can go down to the lake where there is a sauna and rowing boat
which they are allowed to take out on the lake.
I interviewed two female offenders who had just returned from their work with the Forestry
Commission. The first was a first-time offender who said she was very happy to have been
given a place at Vantaa as she had previously been in a closed unit. She explained that the
staff are very helpful in assisting her to take responsibility for her life again and helping her
seek out the help she feels she will need on her return to the community. The second offender
had only three months left of her sentence to serve; however, after chatting to her she
explained that she had a drugs habit and has had for years. This was her third time in custody
and this time she felt it has been different as she made contact with KRIS and one of their
mentors was working with her in preparation for release. She explained her husband was also
in custody for similar reasons and he was also now working with KRIS. She explained that
through KRIS she would be going to live at the SILTA VALMENNUS project in Tampere.
She explained that her husband had also decided that they would both take this opportunity to
try and change the way they had been living and hopefully they would stop their substance
misuse.
I felt the stories both prisoners related to me show that the transitional process from custody
to community in Finland is possible within NIPS if the will is there to change present policies
and practice. It also made me think of how we take away personal responsibility from
prisoners in our care which, in most cases, turns them from independent people into
individuals who are dependent on the system which is not a positive step in nurturing
successful offender rehabilitation during or after custody. After nearly 19 years working in a
closed, custodial environment I believe we need to look again at how current processes are
helping or failing prisoners in our care and the local communities we seek to serve.
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Suomenlinna Island Prison
The Prison Fence!
The Offenders’ Accommodation
Suomenlinna Prison is an Open Prison for Males and was given a tour by Senior Instructor
Elisa Bergman. While on the island I also had the opportunity to meet with the Riihimaki
Prison and Helsinki Prisons Programme Instructors who were having their monthly meeting
to discuss programme work.
Situated on a group of islands off Helsinki, Suomenlinna was built during the Swedish era as
a maritime fortress and a base for the Archipelago Fleet. Work on the fortress was begun in
the mid-18th century. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Finland’s most
popular tourist attractions. Suomenlinna is also a district of the city of Helsinki, with a
permanent population of more than 800. Built on a cluster of rocky skerries, the fortress
consists of an irregular network of bastions. During the Russian era, the fortress was extended
both towards the sea as well as on the mainland.
Suomenlinna has played a key role in many turning points in Finland’s history. It has been
the property of three sovereign states. The majority of its buildings date from the late 18th
century, the end of the Swedish era. From the early 19th century to the early 20th century,
Suomenlinna – then known as Viapori – was part of Russia along with the rest of Finland.
Russian-era Viapori was a lively garrison town. After Finland gained her independence,
Suomenlinna became home to a coastal artillery regiment, a submarine base and the Valmet
shipyard, where ships were built after the Second World War for Finland’s war reparations.
Suomenlinna today
Suomenlinna is the property of the Finnish government and is managed by the Governing
Body of Suomenlinna, an agency subordinate to the Ministry of Education and Culture. The
fortress was handed over to civilian administration by the military in 1973 with the exception
of Pikku Mustasaari island, where the Naval Academy is still located. The Finnish customs
authorities have an office on the islands, and Suomenlinna also houses the Suomenlinna
prison. A substantial part of the repairs to the walls, ramparts and buildings are carried out by
offenders.
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The old buildings are still in everyday use and house working space, maintenance facilities
and visitor service facilities. There is a continuous building repair programme going on. The
restoration of fortifications and old buildings requires considerable expertise. The 18thcentury dry dock on Susisaari island is still used as a winter storage and repair facility for old
wooden sailboats. There are dozens of historical underwater sites around the fortress.
The natural environment on Suomenlinna is a mixture of indigenous Finnish archipelago
ecosystems and centuries of horticulture. Many migratory birds stop on Suomenlinna, and
several species of birds such as barnacle geese and swans nest on the islands.
Suomenlinna is a historical maritime fortress and one of Finland’s most popular sights. It
attracts about 700,000 visitors every year.
Visiting the maritime fortress
•
•
•
Suomenlinna has something for everyone – walls, cannons, tunnels, a submarine,
museums, cafés, restaurants and even a brewery!
Many find the 15-minute ferry crossing to the fortress the most enjoyable part of the
visit. It offers you a unique chance to see and photograph Helsinki from the sea.
The fortress is one of seven Unesco World Heritage sites in Finland.
Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre staff, are happy to give you information on places of interest and
restaurants and cafés. The Suomenlinna information leaflet with a map is available in
Finnish, Swedish and English. The Visitor Centre also provides material in other languages
and in addition to this there are books, postcards and gift items for sale.
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History
The fortress was built in the 18th century to fortify defences at the eastern part of the Swedish
Empire. After the fortress fell under Russian rule at the beginning of the 19th century, its role
was to guard the shipping channels to St. Petersburg.
The Swedish maritime fortress helped Helsinki to grow into a significant city which became
the capital of Finland in 1812 when the country was an autonomous grand duchy within the
Russian Empire.
The Prison
Operated under the Finnish Ministry of Justice, Suomenlinna Prison is the principal partner of
the Governing Body of Suomenlinna. Renovation of the fortress walls is carried out as prison
work managed by the master builders of the prison. Part of the renovation of buildings and
landscaping is also commissioned as prison work.
The Planning unit of the Governing Body of Suomenlinna plans and manages these joint
projects. The Ministry of Justice is also one of the most important sources of finance for
renovation work on the fortress. Work provided by the Governing Body supports the
functions of Suomenlinna Prison in educating and rehabilitating offenders awaiting imminent
discharge. Suomenlinna Prison houses approximately 70 offenders.
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The Board of Antiquities
As the conservation authority overseeing restoration of the fortress, the National Board of
Antiquities issues official opinions on the renovation plans prepared by the Governing Body
of Suomenlinna. The National Board of Antiquities also conducts research on Suomenlinna,
and is represented on the Board of the Governing Body. The Ministry of Education and
Culture has assigned practical co-ordination of Finnish World Heritage sites to the National
Board of Antiquities.
The prison houses 120 inmates of whom 20 are serving community probation sentences, and
8 are life sentence prisoners in their last three years of custody. 100 prisoners work on the
colony. They carry out all sorts of maintenance repairing stone walls and the cobbled streets.
On the day I visited offenders were building a new area for the staff; it is their intention
gradually to replace all the older buildings with new ones. The buildings are sectional and are
built at another prison before being shipped to the island and erected by the prisoners. This
work is overseen by an architect and works manager. Most prisoners on the island are
selected because of their previous work skills in the construction and building trade. They
then hone those skills on the island.
As the island is a major tourist attraction offenders frequently do come into contact with the
public especially during the summer months. Normally, unless working on a project around
the island, the prisoners stay within an area sectioned off from the main island by a picket
fence. They are not allowed to leave this area unless given permission by the staff on duty.
There are four prison staff on duty and they work a shift plan of 48 hours on and four days
off. The staff are allowed to sleep during these shifts. There are three teams of four and this
provides continuity. The staff who spoke to me said that they enjoyed working on the island
except in the deep winter where temperatures drop to minus 30 degrees and this year they had
70 centimetres of snow. However, staff did say that when one of the ponds froze the prisoners
quickly turned it into an ice hockey pitch and organised competitions between barracks.
On the day I viewed the complex the staff showed me a find of drugs and two knives that had
been discovered. I asked what the procedure was for dealing with this and was told that this
would be reported to the Police for investigation as no one had been made amenable for the
offences. I asked what happens if prisoners fall foul of the rules and I was told that they
would be moved back to closed conditions once a report had been sent to the Assessment
Centre.
As well as the prison staff, there are a number of instructors on the island and a psychologist.
Prisoners are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. They are
expected to turn out for work every day and they work Monday Thursday with a half day on a
Friday. For this work offenders are paid between Euro 4.50 and Euro 7.50 per hour
depending on the work they are carrying out. Prisoners are also encouraged to organise
activities for themselves when not working. All prisoners have their own mobile phones; any
abuse of the rules is treated with zero tolerance. Sex Offenders are also placed on the island
and the staff have to risk manage their activities.
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Stone walling and cobbled roadways being constructed by offenders
I interviewed two prisoners both of whom work as stone masons. One had three months left
to serve and has been on the island for six months. He explained that he had been in custody
on six previous occasions. All his crimes were violence-related and he has been doing a lot of
work with the Instructors and Psychologist about this and he felt ready for his return to the
community.
I asked what preparations are made for those returning to the community and he stated that in
his case he has no addiction issues and therefore does not require help in that area. However,
he explained that KRIS comes in to mentor prisoners who need help with issues of addiction
and homelessness. He said he was aware of the KRIST, project but again as his family have
stood by him, he will be returning to live with them on release. He did say that he found all
the staff very supportive and appreciated their help. He had been on the island before as part
of a previous sentence.
A Persian by birth, he felt that although he had lived in Finland since age 8, he was still
treated as a foreigner by some people and he felt this was unwarranted. His companion also
worked as a stone mason and will be doing three years on the island. His experience was
quite similar to his friend’s and he knew about what types of help and assistance where
available to him. He also felt it was a good facility. However, both prisoners related that they
were not made aware of what was available in the closed prisons; information about this area
was more by word of mouth from prisoner to prisoner.
Unexpectedly, while walking around the prison, I came across the offender I had previously
spoken to in Helsinki City Prison’s Assessment Unit. He told me that he had been moved a
few days after I visited him and at present he was undergoing a series of skill tests to see in
which type of work party he was going to be involved. He was extremely happy to be on the
island and stated that he felt it would help him prepare for his release back into the
community.
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Offenders working on constructing a water dam
The Barracks the offenders live in
Cobbled pathways and Stone walling being constructed by offenders
The legislation was changed in Finland which allows for much of the open prison’s existence
and working practice. Set out below is a copy of the parliamentary Acts.
Community Service Act 12.12.1996/1055
with amendments entering into force 1.4.2003
Section 1
Community service
Community service is a sanction which can be sentenced instead of an unconditional prison
sentence. It consists of no less than 20 and no more than 200 hours of regular, unpaid work,
performed under control.
At most ten hours of the community service sentence can be performed by participating in
activity programmes supporting reducing of recidivism or by using services for reducing
intoxicant abuse problems in a way approved by the Probation Service.
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The previous subsection two was phrased:
At most five hours of the community service sentence can be performed by using services for
reducing intoxicant abuse problems in a way approved by the Probation Service.
Section 2
Enforcement of community service
The Probation Service is responsible for the enforcement of community service.
Section 3
Sentencing to community service
An offender
1) who is sentenced to imprisonment
2) on whom a combined sentence is imposed
3) whose conditional prison sentence is to be enforced in its entirety or partly
is sentenced to community service, instead of a fixed-length unconditional prison sentence,
not exceeding eight months, providing unconditional prison sentences, previous community
service sentences or other weighty reasons are not considered to be a hindrance to sentencing
the offender to community service.
A previous community service sentence may be taken into account while passing a new
sentence in the corresponding way as a previous unconditional prison sentence by virtue of
Chapter 7 Section 6 of the Penal Code (8.8.1997/754)
Section 4
Consent and suitability
A prerequisite for sentencing to community service is that the offender has given his consent
to perform community service and it can be assumed that he is capable of carrying out
community service. For the assessment of the capability for the performance, the Probation
Service draws a suitability report meant in the Section 3 of the Community Service Decree
(1259/1990).
Section 5
Date of enforcement
The enforcement of community service shall be started without delay, and the service must be
completed within a year since the sentence has become enforceable unless Section 6
Subsection 2 or Section 9 Subsection 2 something else entail. If the service has been
interrupted or its beginning has been prohibited because the convict has been suspected of
grossly breaching the service conditions or the prosecutor has given notice that he is going to
press charges for a new crime , but the court permits the service to be continued, the time the
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service has been interrupted or its beginning has been prohibited is not counted into the
maximum period of one year.
The previous subsection was phrased:
The enforcement of community service shall be started without delay, and the service must
be completed within a year since the sentence has become enforceable unless Section 6
Subsection 2 or Section 9 Subsection 2 something else entail. If the service has been
interrupted because the convict has been suspected of grossly breaching the service
conditions or the prosecutor has given notice that he is going to press charges for a new
crime, but the court permits the service to be continued, the time the service has been
interrupted is not counted into the maximum period of one year.
The enforcement of community service may be started on the basis of the judgement of the
lower court, before the sentence has gained legal force, if the convict gives his consent to
enforcement or abides by the judgement as far as community service is concerned.
Community service is no longer valid in the same way as a corresponding prison sentence by
virtue of Section 8 of the Penal Code.
Section 6 (16.2.2001/138)
The service plan
For the performing of the community service, the Probation Service confirms a service plan,
which includes the service duties of the community service and the ending date of the service.
In the service plan, necessary requirements concerning the service duties and the conditions
of the service place are entered. The Probation Service draws separately a specific schedule
for the service. (31.1.2003/66)
The previous subsection was phrased:
For the performing of the community service, the Probation Service confirms a service plan,
which includes a specified schedule for the performing of the community service and other
conditions concerning the service.
The Probation Service may extend the performance time confirmed in the service plan by
three months at a time in maximum, if there are special grounds for it. Even when extended,
the service time cannot exceed one year three months.
Section 7
The obligations of a convict
A person sentenced to community service is obliged to take part in the drawing of the
service plan and in the occasions that the enforcement of community service require.
A person sentenced to community service shall comply with the service plan and schedule
confirmed for him, and meticulously perform the duties given to him.
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A convict is not allowed to use alcohol or other intoxicating substances or be under the
influence of intoxicants in the service place or the occasions required by the enforcement of
the service.
The previous subsection was phrased:
Section 7 Service conditions. The offender sentenced to community service must comply
with the service plan confirmed for him and other regulations and instructions imposed on
him, meticulously perform the duties given to him.
The Probation Service must give an oral or a written admonition to the convict who is acting
against the service plan or other conditions
Section 7 a (31.1.2003/66)
Control of intoxicant use
If a convict is likely to be, judging from exterior signs, under the influence of alcohol or other
intoxicants in the service place or the occasions required by the enforcement of the service,
an official of the Probation Service must register the observations concerning the state of
intoxication. If the state of intoxication is doubted to be due to alcohol, the official may in
addition oblige the convict to give a breathalyser test.
Section 7 b (31.1.2003/66)
Violation of obligations
To a convict, who does not comply with the service plan, the service schedule or the
prohibition mentioned in the Section 7 Subsection 3, the Probation Service must give an oral
or a written admonition.
Section 8
Gross breach of obligations
If a convict does not start the performing of community service, interrupts its performance or
otherwise grossly breaches the service plan or the service schedule or grossly disobeys the
prohibition mentioned in the Section 7 Subsection 3, the Probation Service must without
delay notify the public prosecutor. At the same time, the Probation Service must prohibit the
starting of community service or order its performance to be interrupted.
If according to the estimation of the public prosecutor, community service should be
converted into imprisonment, he must present the claim on the matter without delay to the
court of the district where the convict lives or permanently stays, which as the first court
instance decided the criminal matter leading to community service sentence or which is
investigating the crime for which charges have been brought against the convict. If necessary,
the public prosecutor shall order an investigation on the matter.
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If the court considers that service conditions have been grossly breached, it shall convert the
remaining part of the community service into imprisonment, the minimum of which is four
days.
Section 8 a (31.1.2002/66)
Clarification of the breach of obligations
If a convict is suspected of having breached or grossly breached his obligations mentioned in
the section 7, the Probation Service shall make a clarification on the matter. While making
the clarification, a convict and, if necessary, the representative of the service place shall be
heard.
Section 9
Hindrance to performing the sentence
If serving of community service is not possible due to other grounds than mentioned in the
section 8 within the maximum time according to the section 5 subsection 1, the Probation
Service must notify the public prosecutor on the matter. The prosecutor shall bring the matter
to be dealt with by the court meant in the section 8 subsection 2. (16.2.2001/138)
The court may extend the enforcement time of the sentence or convert the remaining part into
unconditional prison sentence. On special grounds, the performed service may be considered
to be the completed performance of the sentence.
Section 10
Procedure in the matter of conversion into imprisonment
While dealing with the matter mentioned in the section 8 or 9, the lower court is also
competent with one chairman only. If the court considers that the matter to be dealt with in
the full composition, it shall be transferred to be dealt with in the said composition.
Before the matter is decided, the defendant shall be given a possibility to be heard. While the
judgement is declared, an absent defendant shall be notified immediately of the ending date
of the matter and the decision of the court, and the directions for appeal shall be sent.
Otherwise is adapted what is enacted on the process of criminal matters.
Section 11
New prison sentence
If the prosecutor decides to bring charges against the performer of community service for a
crime which according to the prosecutor’s estimation might lead to imprisonment, the
prosecutor may notify the Probation Service to prohibit the continuing of the enforcement of
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the community service. After receiving the information, the Probation Service shall prohibit
the starting or continuing of the service. (16.2.2001/138)
While sentencing a person earlier sentenced to community service to a separate unconditional
prison sentence, the court may prohibit the beginning or the continuing of the enforcement of
community service. While prohibiting the enforcement of a community service sentence
passed earlier, the court shall order that the remaining part of the community service to be
served as imprisonment.
The decision on the prohibition of the enforcement of a convict’s earlier sentenced
community service shall be abided despite appeal. (8.8.1997/754)
Section 12
Deduction of enforced sentence
If community service sentence to be enforced but without legal power is converted due to
appeal to imprisonment, the Criminal Sanctions Agency shall deduct from the prison
sentence to be enforced the part which corresponds to the enforced community service
sentence.
The corresponding deduction shall be made when the court has prohibited the enforcement of
the community service but has not decided the length of the remaining part to enforce as
imprisonment or when a part of a combined sentence has been served as community service.
The Criminal Sanctions Agency shall deduct from combined community service sentence the
part that has earlier been served as community service and the amount which corresponds to
the part of it that has been served as imprisonment.
The same ratio of transformation of imprisonment and community service is followed as
when community service sentence is passed. While the deduction is counted the most
advantageous calculation for the convict is applied.
Section 13
Further regulations
By the decree by the Council of State further regulations are issued:
1)
2)
3)
4)
on the organiser of the community service place
on the procedure of drawing a suitability report
on supervision of the performance of community service
on measures and documents connected to the enforcement of community service and the
supervision of the enforcement
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Community Service Decree 28.12.1990/1259
with amendments entering into force 1.4.2003
Section 1
The organiser of the community service place can be a public association or other non-profit
organisation or foundation. As the organiser of a service place can also be such an
association or a foundation which under public supervision is producing services for the
public community even if the association or foundation are striving for profit.
The Probation Service approves the organisers of the service places.
Section 2
The public prosecutor, after he has decided to bring charges for a crime for which community
service might be sentenced, shall acquire from the Probation Service an assessment whether
the accused may be assumed to manage community service (suitability report) It is not
necessary to acquire the report, if considering the probable type and length of punishment and
other things, it is most unlikely that community service would be sentenced instead of this
sentence.(13.3.2003/213)
On the request of the suspect, the Probation Service may draw the report mentioned in the
subsection 1.
Section 3
When assessing the suitability of a suspect of a crime to community service, the Probation
Service shall take into consideration his/her ability and willingness to carry out the service
and his/her other circumstances. At the same time, the need for eventual support measures
must be looked into.
In the context of the suitability inquiry, the offender must be informed on the content of the
community service and the consequences of the breaches of the service conditions. After that
he/she must be asked whether he/she gives his/her consent to have his/her sentence convicted
as community service. The consent is entered in the suitability report.
The Probation Service sends the suitability report to the prosecutor who has asked for it, or if
the report has been asked by the accused, to a competent prosecutor.
Section 4
The Probation Service, must without delay, together with the organiser of the service place
and after reserving the convict an opportunity to be heard, draw a service plan for the
performing of community service.
The service plan must, in reasonable time before the service starts, be given the convict as
notice in the way that has been enacted on service of summons.
The service plan can be altered on good grounds.
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Section 5
The Probation Service shall make an agreement with the organiser of the service place
concerning the realisation of community service, defining the rights and duties of both parties
and the contact person of the service place.
Section 6
The Probation Service must control the performance of community service by visiting the
service place and keeping in contact to both the organiser of the service place and the
performer of the service.
Observations concerning a suspected state of intoxication of the service performer are
entered, at the presence of a witness, on a form confirmed by the Ministry Justice stating the
intoxication. (13.3.2003/213)
Section 7
If the performer of the service has a legal impediment to arrive at the service place, he must
immediately inform the Probation Service which shall pass the matter on to the contact
person of the service place.
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2011
“From Custody to Community – a more realistic and helpful approach”
Findings [2]
Vancouver
Correctional Service Canada
“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught”.
Sir Winston Churchill
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Guide to visit to British Columbia, Canada August 2011
Pacific Institution / Regional Treatment Centre
Pages 78 -79
Ferndale Institution (Minimum security)
Pages 80 - 82
Fraser Valley Institution (Multi-level security)
Pages 83 - 84
Fraser Valley Community Services
Page 85
Maple Ridge Treatment Centre
Pages 85 - 91
Kwìkwèxwelhp Aboriginal Healing Village
Pages 92 - 94
Kent Institution (Maximum security)
Pages 95 -96
Vancouver Community Services
Pages 97 -99
Community Courts and Housing
Pages 100 - 107
Tour of Downtown East Side Programmes
Pages 108 - 111
Belkin House
Pages 112 - 117
Harbour Light
Pages 118 -119
Guy Richmond Place
Pages 120 – 121
Community Corrections Intervention Board
Pages 122 - 123
Maria Keary and Genesis House
Pages 124 – 127
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Pages 128
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Pacific Institution / Regional Treatment Centre
About the Institution
The Pacific Institution/Regional Treatment Centre is a multi-level complex located two
kilometres south of Abbotsford in the central Fraser Valley, about 80 kilometres east of
Vancouver. The Institution opened in 1972 and can house up to 415 inmates.
The Regional Treatment Centre is equipped with a psychiatric care unit, a health centre and a
rehabilitation unit. The Pacific Institution has a regional reception/assessment centre and an
intensive programme unit.
The treatment and reintegration programmes and services are developed according to a
holistic approach and are based on research on assessment, treatment and correctional
services.
Facility Characteristics
•
•
•
•
•
•
Institution for male offenders
Security level: multi-level
Date opened: 1972
Number of inmates: 385
Average length of sentences:
o Less than 40 months: 39 per cent of inmates
o 40 months and over: 33 per cent of inmates
o Life sentence: 28 per cent of inmates
Number of employees: 467
I was met at the Pacific Institution by Craig Baber and Kandace Goldstone. Mr Baber initially
explained the role of the Institution and the assessment centre process. Pacific Institution is a
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more complicated prison as it has a number of specific areas with different responsibilities.
All prisoners committed into custody will initially be placed in the institution for a period of
assessment. If it is felt they require programme work or have mental health issues they will
remain in Pacific until that work is complete or it can be carried out at a lower security
establishment. The prison has a separate programmes unit staffed and run by programmes and
psychology staff. This seemed a great resource for programme delivery and seemed to ensure
constant programme delivery.
Ms Goldstone explained her role and that of Mr Baber, She gave me a tour of the
establishment which started in the Assessment Centre which was very like the assessment
centres I had seen in Finland with the same purpose. Again, an offender is made aware of
what is available to assist them; however, the choice and decision-making process is theirs
alone. The responsibility belongs to the offender for the decisions they make. We also looked
at the Psychiatric Care Unit which was impressive and it was explained prisoners who require
the facility came from all over the region. The Health Centre and Rehabilitation Unit were
also very impressive and I noted that some prisoners are employed as carers for those with
infirmities. They also have a number of disability scooters outside each area similar to what
we would find at a shopping mall. This again assisted those with infirmities to travel with
ease throughout the establishment.
This seemed quite a progressive step and I was informed that it did work out well and gave
prisoners the responsibility and confidence to deal with those less fortunate than themselves.
Again, from this visit I could see a prisoner would have from their committal a clearly
defined path to release and be fully understanding of the steps required to improve their
situation.
“It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required”
Sir Winston Churchill
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Ferndale Institution
About the Institution
Ferndale Institution is a minimum-security facility located three kilometres north of Mission,
in the central Fraser Valley, and about 80 kilometres east of Vancouver. Ferndale opened in
1973 and can house up to 166 inmates.
Offenders live in residential-style units, including two units for inmates on day parole. The
Institution shares the penitentiary reserve with Mission Institution.
Programmes at Ferndale Institution are aimed at relapse prevention and skills development
for effective re-integration into the community.
No Barriers
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Facility Characteristics
•
•
•
•
•
•
Institution for male offenders
Security level: minimum
Date opened: 1973
Number of inmates: 119
Average length of sentences:
o Less than 40 months: 20 per cent of inmates
o 40 months and over: 41 per cent of inmates
o Life sentence: 39 per cent of inmates
Number of employees: 94
At times an Institution stands out from the rest, and for me in this leg of my trip Ferndale was
that Institution. It is an open prison which is surrounded by a residential community. I spent
quite some time speaking with Irv Hammond, Assistant Warden, and Kevin Hiller,
Institutional Parole Officer, They explained the role of the Institution and I would compare it
to Summellina Island in Finland. A very similar ethos exists there and I was very impressed,
my only regret was not having enough time to do a re-visit Irv had asked me to undertake.
The ethos of the prison regime is of offenders taking responsibility and doing it for
themselves. They are of course, given guidance but they are encouraged to make decisions
and seek out the best help for their particular situations. They are encouraged to make links in
the community in preparation for their release and this invariably proves very beneficial.
During the day the majority of prisoners are either working within the unit or working in the
community. All prisoners must receive a day parole pass before leaving the prison and the
accommodation blocks are alarmed to prevent anyone leaving during the night. They have
built strong links with the community that are maintained by the Warden who is in regular
contact with the local Mayor etc.
No Barriers!
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The offenders live in shared accommodation blocks and are encouraged to be as selfsufficient as possible. Their visitors do come to the prison and they have conjoint, visits
although most return home on weekend paroles.
An excellent CORCAN workshop exists on the site which does textile work. I explained that
we had moved away from textile production as work in this area was hard to come by in
Northern Ireland. However, the workshop manager explained that it is not always about the
type of work being done. When I asked about this it was explained that the workshop also
exists to nurture the personal qualities any employer is seeking in a potential member of staff
including reliability, turning up on time. It is not so much the type of work employers want to
see people trained in but what they do want is someone who can prove their ability to be
ready for work in the morning, turn up to work on time, and take the required breaks without
having to be told to return to work and then leave their work at the correct time.
These are pre-requisites many of my offenders in Maghaberry do not possess yet, they need
to be able to take responsibility and be accountable for these demands of working life if they
are to be prepared for a more realistic world when they are released. As we tend to always
remove the responsibility offenders often use the excuse “I wasn’t told” or “I did not know I
had to go”, “the Officer didn’t tell me”.
Personal responsibility is something we need to nurture and learn to give back to the prisoner.
I refuse continually to accept these excuses as offenders in my care do know when they are
required to attend work or education or have to attend court. I feel this is where we fail
because we remove the element of personal responsibility for individual action and this then
breeds a totally dependent, institutionalised prison population.
The openness of the Pacific Institution / Regional Treatment Centre was very similar to
Finnish architectural designs with little fencing and minimal obstructions for those who might
to violate the trust placed in them. The accommodation was quite similar to that of the
Finnish Service where six to eight prisoners live in a shared accommodation block. In each
block the prisoners have their own rooms and share the communal areas and have
responsibility for cleaning and cooking etc. The offenders seemed happy to be there and did
not want to do anything which might endanger their presence at Ferndale. They knew what
was expected from them and the punishment if they decided to break the trust placed in them.
Irv explained the importance of including the community in the information flow and how
they find this really assists offenders in being accepted within their communities. When I was
leaving the establishment I stopped and spoke with two local residents who confirmed what I
had been told. Both knew what the institution was trying to achieve and were confident in the
levels of security and movement of offenders through and into the community. They also
praised the Warden and his efforts at keeping the community informed about what was going
on at the institution as well as the disclosure of information that the community was given.
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Frazer Valley Institution
About the Institution
Fraser Valley Institution (FVI) is a multi-level facility for women located on a large
penitentiary reserve that also includes other institutions (men's facilities). FVI is located in
southern Abbotsford, about 60 kilometres east of Vancouver. FVI opened in 2004 and can
house up to 80 inmates.
Inmates live in six residential-style units.
Programmes focus on the particular needs of women offenders, including Aboriginal inmates
and those with psychological problems or learning disabilities.
Facility Characteristics
•
•
•
•
•
•
Institution for women offenders
Security level: multi level
Date opened: 2004
Number of inmates: 57
Average length of sentences:
o Less than 40 months: 39 per cent of inmates
o 40 months and over: 30 per cent of inmates
o Life sentence: 31 per cent of inmates
Number of employees: 159
I was met at Frazer Valley by Karen Nash and given a tour of the facility. She explained that
the institution was designed for females and within the establishment a progressive system
existed. The system allowed offenders to move around the different Residential units at
different stages of the sentence and the regime became less security focussed as they move.
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Again, it was easily understood by the female prisoners what was required from them to help
them progress through the different houses. I found it fair and interesting that the female
offenders have a very similar process to follow as the males and, as before, the more they do
to lessen their risk the more freedom they have within the establishment. Again, personal
responsibility is placed firmly with offenders and they make the decisions about what aspects
they are willing to do to help themselves. In turn there acceptance of personal responsibility
directs where they are placed within the system and how much freedom they are allowed.
Karen also took me round their kennels they have the Dog walking scheme similar to
Hydebank; however, they have taken this a step further and also run a kennelling facility for
the community where people come and leave their dogs when going on holiday etc. I asked
why they did this and Karen explained that for suitable offenders this allowed them to
interact with the general public and to provide a local community service which everyone
found beneficial.
We moved on and as we walked I spotted two offenders pushing a baby in a pram. I asked
Karen about this and she explained that a baby-sitting service is run for the Mother and Baby
Unit by other offenders which gives the Mothers time for a break. She explained that this is a
carefully selected group as at times you need to consider the effect looking after a child can
have especially if the woman is a mother herself and has had a child removed from them as a
result of coming into custody.
The facility seemed a very forward-thinking regime. I also observed that they had a
residential area set aside for those undergoing programme treatment, This seemed a positive
way for those completing programmes to help each other. Within this unit offenders are
observed by programme-trained staff who help with their assessment and evidencing of their
abilities to practice the new skills they are learning. It does make sense from a programme’s
perspective to hold those undergoing programming together, especially if the area is staffed
by programmes officers as offenders get the chance to practice newly-learned skills in a safe
and observed environment. Offenders are also observed by staff who understand what they
are being taught and who can assist when problems arise. The same staff can write
evidenced-based reports on the offenders’ behaviour and how they have demonstrated change
in the unit.
The system of moving offenders between units and each unit playing a different role brought
to mind what would be possible in Maghaberry. The regime changes between units were also
evidently beneficial. Once again, the offender, being given the personal responsibility to
choose the path they wish to travel was evident and very neccessary.
I spoke at length to the Warden who said the facility was very pro-active in dealing with the
issues of the women placed into their care. She also explained that they are striving
constantly to improve the regime as well as what is on offer to the offenders in assisting them
to change past behaviours.
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Maple Ridge Parole Office
I met with Scot Gibson, Parole Officer and Programmes Officer, who showed me around the
office and introduced me to the staff. The office has a number of ex-offenders reporting to it
on a daily basis. Scot also carries out any programme work they feel is required.
He took me to The Maple Ridge Treatment Centre where I was shown around by Wes
Sawchuk, Clinical Co-ordinator.
Maple Ridge Treatment Centre
The mission of Maple Ridge Treatment Centre is to create a healthier quality of life for men
and their families by helping individuals develop new attitudes and behaviours related to their
addictions.
Maple Ridge Treatment Centre (MRTC) was founded in 1965 and has since become one of
the premier treatment centres in the Lower Mainland for men suffering from substance abuse
and dependencies. The programme is designed to address, in a balanced way, the physical,
emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual needs of each person.
The 35 day programme follows evidence-based best practices. Referrals are accepted from
addictions counsellors, social workers, employee and family assistance programmes,
physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other health-care professionals.
They are part of the Frazer Health Authority.
The mission of Maple Ridge Treatment Centre is to create a healthier quality of life for men
and their families by helping them develop new attitudes and behaviours related to their
addictions.
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They help participants take control of their lives.
MRTC is an evidence-based treatment programme. While they are ’12-step friendly’, they
adhere to principles and practices founded on research.
The research indicates that the key to long-term recovery is ‘internal motivation’, which
means that participants must recognise that they are the authors of their lives. Changing
behaviours through guidance has proven successful and, according to research, actively
enhances the development of internal motivation. A person doesn’t change because others
want him to; he changes because he wants to.
Since 1998, MRTC consistently has shifted its therapeutic techniques away from external
sources of motivation to help clients become aware that they are responsible personally for
their choices.
The Programme
The clinical programme includes:
•
•
•
•
•
Group therapy and Individual counselling
Family workshops and counselling
Concurrent disorders counselling
Nutrition counselling
Educational-experiential seminars, workshops, and focus
groups.
MRTC specialises in electives not offered by other centres. These electives help in the
process of re-building healthy relationships. Topics such as Anger, Grief & Loss, SelfSabotage, Shame & Guilt, Cravings, Boundaries, Hope, and Parenting are a sample of the
many varied electives offered to our clients.
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Their therapeutic goal: Self-determination
As participants often feel trapped by their addiction and environment, they suffer from
helplessness, loneliness, and despair. The therapeutic goal is self-determination. They
provide a supportive, non-judgemental, non-coercive environment, where the participant can
begin the process of taking responsibility for his life.
Therapeutic model: Wellness
Their wellness model guides participants to achieve maximum wellness in the six life areas
shown here. Each participant progresses through three separate groups:
Open group — introduces participants to treatment where they learn about the Wellness
Model, the dynamics of addiction, and how to benefit most from group therapy.
Process therapy group or Interactive therapy group; Therapy group offers process group
therapy during which participants develop self-awareness and healthy ways of relating to
others. Interactive group offers an alternative to process therapy. Participants learn strategies
and skills to build a healthy, balanced lifestyle leading to optimum wellness.
Relapse prevention group — Participants spend their final five days in treatment learning
relapse prevention. This group focuses on the immediate needs and issues when clients leave
treatment. All clients begin their new lives with a complete wellness plan, tailored to their
individual needs.
Their renewal programmes
Recovery is not an event. It is a process in which clients may struggle with their commitment
to abstinence-based living, free from mood-altering substances. They recognize that for some
the journey is difficult, filled with unexpected hazards and uncomfortable emotions. Some
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men may feel the progress is too slow, while others may find recovery filled with challenge
and excitement.
The Renewal Programme at the MRTC is an opportunity for former clients to engage in a
refresher programme as they revisit the goals, strategies, and objectives of leading a recovery
lifestyle. The programme offers clients the tools to regain strength and reaffirm their
commitment to recovery.
The programme is divided into three parts – Phase 1: Recovery Maintenance, Phase 2:
Enhanced Wellness and a Family Renewal Programme.
Phase one: recovery maintenance
Recovery Maintenance clients may have encountered ‘slips’ or ‘lapses’ and are experiencing
challenges in maintaining sobriety during the recovery process. The Recovery Maintenance
programme guides clients to focus primarily on relapse prevention. Topics include:
•
•
•
•
•
Assessing your current situation
Discovering what is and is not working for you
Identifying and dealing with triggers
Self-sabotage
Identifying goals and setting priorities
Phase two: enhanced wellness
Enhanced Wellness clients have moved beyond the immediate needs of early recovery: they
are able to maintain abstinence from mood-altering substances, and wish to work further on
their issues. These clients are encouraged to examine their successes thus far as well as to
explore ways of continuing on the path of a chemically-free recovery lifestyle. Topics
include:
•
•
•
•
Revisiting the wellness wheel
The process of recovery
Moving toward recovery vs running from misery
Forgiveness
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•
•
Relationships
Putting fun back into life
The family renewal programme
The Family Renewal Programme is offered
to past clients, their families and members
of the community who have been affected,
or are concerned, and would like to educate
themselves in how to cope with an addicted
individual. Topics include:
•
•
•
•
Dynamics of the addicted family
The family and Wellness
Boundaries and healthy emotional
detachment
The art of loving
Family Reflection Day
The Family Reflection Day is a new part of the MRTC programme. During
a client’s third or fourth week of programming, they may invite loved ones to the family
reflection day at MRTC. Loved ones (friends, partners, spouses, and family members) of
clients participate alongside clients in an educational workshop on the impact of
addictions on relationships. Then loved ones join in a reflective circle as they share their
experiences and hope for their significant others (clients) who are now in the process of
recovery.
After clients witness this conversation, then they join the reflective circle to share their
experiences as well as hopes for recovery. Then a larger open discussion begins between both
groups. The aim of the family reflection day is for both clients and their loved ones to begin
the process of understanding each other’s journeys toward healing. Thus far, this new feature
in programming has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on both clients and families as
they begin to understand the impact of addiction and the challenges of recovery from both
sides.
The Branch is organized into two divisions:
•
Adult Custody – operates correctional centres with various levels of security and
control for individuals awaiting trial or serving a provincial custody sentence.
Correctional programmes address thought patterns, behaviour and lifestyles that are
known to contribute to crime.
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•
Community Corrections and Corporate Programmes – operates more than 50
community corrections offices across the province. Probation officers facilitate
offender programmes, and supervise court orders. They also prepare reports and
assessments about adult offenders, victims, and sentencing options for the court. The
division manages community work service, and supports offenders to make positive
changes in their behaviour and attitudes.
Community Corrections and Corporate Programmes Division also provides expertise,
co-ordination and support to all parts of the Corrections Branch through strategic
planning, programme development, research and information systems. For these
functions, the division is the branch link to other ministries and agencies.
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Homelessness in Maple Ridge
The Salvation Army are helping those with addiction issues and are homeless
Scot and I also visited the Salvation Army in Maple Ridge which provides a wide number of
services for the local community. They have a night shelter for both males and females and a
longer term hostel. They also provide meals to those on low or no incomes. Their motto of
“We never turn anyone away” was evident in practice when I looked around at the assistance
they were giving within the community.
Again ex-offenders can acquire access to the facility. I spoke with an ex-offender who had
been in custody and was now living at the centre. He was very grateful for what had been
done to help him and proud of what he had now achieved. He went on to explain he was now
in the process of trying to find permanent accommodation in the community and the help he
had received from the Salvation Army was just what he needed.
The ex-offender explained that for years he had relied on the system to look after him and to
tell him what to do and, in his words, he had become “institutionalised”. He felt that he had
resigned from his responsibilities and he had at the time considered this as a safe option.
However, he had with the help of Ferndale Institution, began to realise that he could do things
for himself and that he had turned himself around to the point he was now considering the
benefits of his own home and how he could manage that with the assistance offered.
"Protect Communities, Reduce Re-offending”
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Kwikwexwelhp Institution
About the Institution
Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village is a minimum-security institution located about 140
kilometres east of Vancouver, British Columbia, on traditional Chehalis First Nation land.
Formerly Elbow Lake Institution, the facility was renamed Kwìkwèxwelhp in 2001 and can
house up to 50 inmates.
The Institution provides programmes and training to improve employment skills including
basic training, general training and correspondence courses as well as various maintenance
programmes.
Kwìkwèxwelhp, meaning "where medicine is collected", is a correctional services centre for
Aboriginal men that uses the traditions and holistic teachings of Aboriginal peoples and
elders.
Facility Characteristics
•
•
•
•
•
•
Institution for male offenders
Security level: minimum
Date opened: 2001
Number of inmates: 31
Average length of sentences:
o Less than 40 months: 23 per cent of inmates
o 40 months and over: 22 per cent of inmates
o Life sentence: 55 per cent of inmates
Number of employees: 57
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Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village is a minimum-security institution. It houses 50 prisoners and
is built on the site of an old logging camp. I must say from the outset this was the hardest to
find of all the institutions and not from a signage point of view. I arrived at the base of the
Mountain and found the sign; however, the road was a dirt track which headed off high into
the mountains. In the back of my mind I thought “they couldn’t build a prison way up there”.
My hired Ford Focus, struggled with the hill climb and after driving for some time I decided
this could not be the way to a prison. On turning around and driving down again I thought
about where this place was and stopped at a local petrol station to be informed I had been on
the right track. Once more my trusty steed and I attempted the hill climb again, eventually
coming into a clearing in the forest with a tepee and some housing accommodation. This
place has to be seen to appreciate its location and to understand its suitability for the purpose
of its existence.
I was met by Debra Matties A/Manager of Assessment and Interventions and given a tour
around the establishment. It had a real aboriginal feel and I was informed that the community
elders had a big input into the programmes being run there. While being shown around we
came across some prisoners who were carving totem poles. They showed me how the process
evolves from a template to the full pole standing at some twenty feet. They explained this
was the second of a pair they were making for the new entrance to the village (no one
mentioned the prison word). They explained how once carved the pole is oiled and then
erected. It was fascinating to watch them use their skills. I was then shown their Long Hall
which is used for traditional ceremonies and staff and community meetings. They perform a
welcoming ceremony here for new arrivals both, prisoners and staff, and this seemed a world
away from Maghaberry.
I was then shown the healing grounds which had a tepee and sweat lodge which were beside
a river used for ritual baths and is an important part of the ceremonies. The water was
absolutely clear coming from the top of the mountain and Debra informed me it was quite
cold so I took her at her word and remembered the freezing experience I had in the Finnish
lake! The community input here was total and the prison is accepted within its community for
the work it is doing with not just aboriginal inmates but those who profess to follow the
ancient teachings. All must sign an agreement to enter the establishment and in this agree to
take part in the teachings and to obey all the rules. The Warden explained that the name had
been changed by the service in conjunction with the community as it was felt the original
name did not reflect what they are trying to achieve. The prisoners live in small units which
are undergoing some reconstruction and it is hoped they will become self-sufficient catering
wise in the near future.
Again responsibility is something which shone through as a requirement of a successful
outcome. The prisoners are given ownership by agreement and must achieve the standards
set. If they don’t it is seen as their failure rather than that of an individual member of staff or
group.
This area was a revelation to me and I am glad I included it on the itinerary as it shows what
can be achieved in the way of proper reintegration and resettlement if the will is there to take
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on the challenge. I don’t know that we could ever achieve this level of open prison but it
certainly gives room for lateral thinking.
Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village
“Once in a while you will stumble upon the truth but most of us manage to pick ourselves up
and hurry along as if nothing had happened”.
Sir Winston Churchill
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Kent Institution
I had an interesting visit to Kent which is a maximum security facility and the total opposite
to Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village. It houses some of the highest risk offenders and some
who do not wish to co-operate with the service. I was shown around the institution by Rudy
Buchannon and Correctional Manager Derek Dubiellak, I was also introduced to Shawn
Huish, Deputy Warden.
This institution is a no-nonsense category A establishment housing the most dangerous and
high risk offenders. Security is at the forefront of the regime as it should be. It certainly
makes sense to house those who are dangerous and a threat to public safety in a more
warehousing style until they recognise the need for change.
“It is difficult to engage someone who does not wish nor desire to change” unless an offender
can recognise the need for change, Like an addict, they crave what has gone before until they
realise the addiction is not the answer and that treatment holds the key. The use of high
security systems in all three jurisdictions has its role to play. A stricter, less liberal regime can
assist those in its custody to recognise the benefits of assisting themselves to change but it
needs a decisive shift on behalf of our Service to recognise and move to a position that this
would become a reality.
The use of airborne incapacitate spray surprised me, every Officer carries it and are trusted to
use it if and when required without the direction of a manager, obviously they have strict
guidance on its use but it is not abused. It was explained officers prefer to use airborne
incapacitate rather than actual hands-on as this reduces the injury levels to both staff and
prisoners. I considered this approach within the NIPS context and it does make sense even
under our Human Rights and Health and Safety policies. Officers also use weapons, firstly, in
a warning capacity i.e. a warning shot is fired but they also have the legislation to use lethal
force if required.
These are issues which control the level of violence within the institution and provide
protection for both staff and prisoners. It was explained that quite a number of weapons were
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used in assaults committed within the Institution. If it was deemed that the level of aggression
used in the assault or the danger posed was in the realm of assault occasioning grievous
bodily harm then lethal force could be used. The processes do not appear to be abused. Mr
Dubiellak is the co-ordinator for the use of force and I found it very interesting when he
explained that staff are trusted to make the right decision on each occasion. Obviously,
properly completed reports must be completed and made available similar to our control and
restraint documents.
About the Institution
Kent Institution is a maximum-security facility located in the upper Fraser Valley, near
Agassiz, British Columbia, about 140 kilometres east of Vancouver. Kent is the only
maximum-security facility in the Pacific Region, and shares a federal reserve with Mountain
Institution. Kent Institution opened in 1979 and can house up to 324 inmates.
The Institution is equipped with regular and segregation cells, as well as cells at Health
Services.
Programmes at Kent Institution are aimed mainly at correcting the behaviour that led inmates
to be classified as maximum-security risks. Educational as well as socialization and
employment programmes, play a large role at the Institution.
Facility Characteristics
•
•
•
•
•
•
Men's facility
Security level: maximum
Date opened: 1979
Number of inmates: 222
Average length of sentences:
o Less than 40 months: 22 per cent of inmates
o More than 40 months: 51 per cent of inmates
o Life sentence: 27 per cent of inmates
Number of employees: 307
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Vancouver Community Services
With Tim Veresh Executive Director – John Howard Society
The John Howard Society of Canada
The John Howard Society have sixty-five offices across Canada which deliver services to
pro-socially integrate persons at the end of their sentence and prevent people from coming
into conflict with the law in the first place.
Their policy and position papers and presentations advocate for legislation that accords with
principles of fundamental justice.
A large and growing body of peer-reviewed science argues that punishment does not make
people more pro-social - and that it often makes them worse.
The History of John Howard Societies in Canada
The Canadian history of the John Howard Society began in 1867 with a group of church
workers seeking to bring spiritual help to prisoners in the Toronto jail. In 1874 this small
group became known as the "Prisoners Aid Association of Toronto." They soon came to
recognise that more than spiritual aid was needed by prisoners, but interest dwindled during
World War I (1914-1918).
In 1929 a citizens' group led by Toronto's Chief of Police, General Draper, reactivated their
cause as the "Citizens Service Association." Chief Draper understood that police work was
undermined by the circumstances facing people upon release from prison. The Citizens’
Service Association - an organisation of volunteers - set itself the task of providing practical
help to ex-prisoners with housing, clothing and employment.
The John Howard Society fills an important role in public education, community
service and in pressing for reform in the criminal justice area.
In 1931 Reverend J. Dinnage Hobden formed a similar group in British Columbia under the
name of the John Howard Society. John Howard was a great prison reformer who lived from
1726 to 1790 and whose pioneering studies of the conditions of English and European prisons
established the modern English-speaking prison reform movement. The John Howard Society
- established to carry Howard's mission - aided prisoners and ex-convicts in rehabilitation and
re-integration following their sentence.
In 1946 the "Citizens Service Association" in Ontario changed its name and became the John
Howard Society of Ontario. Most other provinces formed John Howard Societies between
1947 and 1960. In February 1962 the John Howard Society of Canada was formed when all
provinces, except Quebec, ratified a constitution. Quebec joined the John Howard Society in
1980. The Northwest Territories joined in 1994.
The John Howard Society fills an important role in public education, community service and
in pressing for reform in the criminal justice area. Currently there are branches and offices in
over 60 communities across Canada, provincial offices in all 10 provinces and the Northwest
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Territories and a national office in Kingston, Ontario - within driving distance of 10 federal
penitentiaries.
Today, the John Howard Society of Canada is a federation of provincial and local societies
that comprises people whose mission is "effective, just and humane responses to the causes
and consequences of crime." Their goal is to understand and respond to problems of crime; to
work with people who have come into conflict with the law; to review, evaluate and advocate
for changes in the criminal justice process; and to engage in public education on matters
involving prison conditions, criminal law and its application.
Direct service to individuals is delivered by local branches and affiliates. The original focus
of the founders of the John Howard Society was helping men released from prison. While
after-care continues to be a core service to this day, the activities of local Societies have
expanded over the years. The services now include; working with men in correctional
facilities both federal and provincial; with people in community correctional programmes;
with young offenders both in custody and in the community; and, most recently, with people
defined as being "at risk" of involvement in criminal activity.
Generally, the provincial/territorial Societies take primary responsibility for reform and
community education activities and provide administrative support to the branches and
affiliates. Activities such as communications (for example, compiling, publishing and
distributing "A Directory of John Howard Programmes Across Canada") and research on
federal legislation and trends in penology tend to be done by the national Society.
The John Howard Society depends on public involvement. All levels of the organisation from local to national - are governed by voluntary Boards of Directors. Volunteers are
involved extensively in the direct service work of the Society. Many also support through
financial donations the work of the John Howard Society.
Branches and affiliates provide a wide range of services and programmes to young offenders
including education for youth at the primary prevention level, training and employment
services for youth, counselling (some specific to problems such as drug and alcohol abuse
and sexual offending), literacy and/or life skills programmes for youth, supervision of young
offender
Community
Service
Orders,
Young
Offender
Victim
Offender
Reconciliation/Restitution programmes, Young Offender Attendance Centre programmes,
and residential programmes. At the provincial/territorial and national levels, activities have
included providing testimony in a professional capacity at young offender transfer hearings,
preparing community education bulletins, position papers and briefs related to the issues of
youth crime and young offenders and working with a coalition of organisations and
individuals concerned about the welfare of children who may be at risk of coming into
conflict with the law.
Role of John Howard Societies in Canada
The John Howard Societies in Canada perform essentially two roles: advocating to the
Government of Canada for correctional and criminal justice policy that adheres to the
principles of "effective, just and humane"; and, deliver best practice services that embody
these principles and are shown to be economically responsible and accountable to the
communities in which our offices are located.
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The first task—advocacy to the Government of Canada—falls to the national office in
Kingston. The second task falls to the provincial and local offices across Canada, from
Yellowknife to St. John’s.
The John Howard Society of British Columbia
The John Howard Society of British Columbia is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation
providing a broad range of evidence-based and outcome-driven community services in
British Columbia. The organisation has a strong history of helping individuals and families
who are at risk of, or who have come into conflict with the law. Our work includes the
provision of prevention and intervention services as well as advocacy, public education, and
community partnerships.
Our diverse client group includes youth and adults, males and females, from a wide cross
section of social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds represented in our community.
Their Mission
The John Howard Society of British Columbia is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation
providing a broad range of evidence-based and outcome-driven community services in
British Columbia. The organisation has a strong history of helping individuals and families
who are at risk of, or who have come into conflict with the law. The work includes the
provision of prevention and intervention services as well as advocacy, public education, and
community partnerships.
Their diverse client group includes youth and adults, males and females, from a wide cross
section of social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds represented in the community.
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Vancouver's Downtown Community Court
Vancouver's Downtown Community Court is the first of its kind in Canada. I had read about
it online and as it deals with the offender who commits multiple minor offences who
normally comes into prison on short sentences and then is discharged only to return a short
time later for the same offences, it interested me and seemed very relevant to my subject. I
wanted to see how this service strives to prevent continuous short sentences.
I was shown around by Tim Veresh Executive Director of the John Howard Society and
Michael Cowan Junior Project Analyst. The court attempts to address the reasons for the
offender’s actions and with assistance from a number of government and non-government
agencies shape a plan which will allow them time to address the issues with the help of a host
of organisations. The basic explanation is that the sentencing of an offender is put back to
allow time for completion of any recommendations made by the Judge which have been
developed with the assistance of the project team. Once the team have developed a detailed
plan it provides a detailed picture of the level of assistance needed for each individual. The
offender is then brought back to court and, dependent on their participation etc, it may affect
whether the sentence is be non-custodial or custodial.
•
At its core, the community court is about partnership and problem-solving. It's about
creating new relationships, both within the justice system and with health and social
services, community organisations, area residents, merchants, faith communities and
schools.
•
The community court is about testing new ways to reduce crime and improve public
safety. It deals with offenders more quickly through a more co-ordinated and
informed response.
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•
A high number of offenders in downtown Vancouver have health and social problems
including alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness, homelessness and poverty. The
court takes a problem-solving approach to address offenders' needs and circumstances
and the underlying causes of their criminal behaviour.
•
Vancouver's Downtown Community Court opened in summer 2008. It works with
about 1,500 offenders each year. There are two courtrooms in the community court,
which is located at 211 Gore Ave.
Downtown Community Court - The Community Court's Story
Although crime rates are decreasing in B.C. and across the country, Vancouver still has the
second highest rate of property crime of any Canadian city. This includes theft from cars,
shoplifting and general anti-social behaviour. Other crimes, such as assault and drug
possession, are also serious problems. These problems are concentrated in downtown
Vancouver, the catchment area for the community court.
At least 50 per cent of offenders in downtown Vancouver have a mental illness, a drug
addiction, or both, and many are chronic offenders. These are complex problems. The level in
Northern Ireland at present would be less, with alcohol addiction being more prevalent.
The justice system and society at large are challenged to address the risks posed by offenders,
while also supporting their health and social needs. This can lead to a belief that the system is
too slow, that it does not address the offenders' root problems, and that the cycle of crime
continues unabated. It can also lead to a lack of public confidence in the justice system.
The community court addresses these concerns through a partnership of justice, social and
health care services which provide a timely, co-ordinated and meaningful response for
treatment and sentencing of offenders. The needs of victims of crime are also addressed with
an on-site victim support worker available to provide information, support and referrals to
programmes and services.
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History
In March 2004, the Attorney General announced that the British Columbia Justice Review
task force through its street crime working group, would study crime in Vancouver and make
recommendations to deal with it. Working group members represented all levels of
government, the judiciary, lawyers, police, corrections and social service providers.
In September 2005, the working group recommended the creation of a community court to
address Vancouver's crime problem. You can download and view the report, Beyond the
Revolving Door: A New Response to Chronic Offenders . (PDF/1.30MB) from the CSC web
site.
The British Columbia government endorsed the recommendation and provided funding for
planning and operating the new court. The Chief Judge of the Provincial Court provided
ongoing support for the initiative.
The planners researched community court models around the world, particularly in the
United States, where community courts originated and have been shown to be successful. The
experiences of other community courts were useful in designing Vancouver's Downtown
Community Court, which aims to address Vancouver's unique circumstances.
Other Community Courts
There are community courts operating and being developed in the United States, England,
Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland and South Africa. Each one is unique, reflecting
both the justice system of each country and the character of the community it serves. Many
have been supported in their development by the Centre for Court Innovation.
Vancouver's Downtown Community Court is the first community court in Canada, based in
part on the successful Red Hook Community Justice Centre in Brooklyn, New York. Other
successful models nearby are Portland and Seattle.
(For links to community courts around the world, see The Centre for Court Innovation).
How the Court is Different
Vancouver's Downtown Community Court differs from the traditional justice system in
several ways:
•
•
•
the court process is more timely;
it has an integrated approach to assessing and managing offenders; and
it is connected to the community.
Timely court process
The community court aims to address crime in a timely way so that offenders see the
consequences of their behaviour immediately and can make reparation to the community.
Where it can now take six weeks for an accused who is not in custody to appear in a
traditional provincial court, community court cases are typically heard within two to 14 days.
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Many traditional Provincial Court of B.C. cases are delayed because:
•
•
•
the accused has not applied for legal aid;
the defence counsel has not interviewed the accused; or
there has not been adequate time to discuss the process or the options with the
accused.
The community court has a defence lawyer available at all times, providing advice and
information to the accused and representing the accused in the community court. It can take
from several months to a year for even the most minor cases to be resolved in a traditional
court. Some offenders make many court appearances before their cases are addressed. During
that time, many fail to show up for subsequent court dates and eventually end up in prison.
By the time the case is resolved, the process has been the punishment and offenders are
sentenced to "time served."
Because the community court has early access to relevant information about the accused, and
because there are designated staff resources working together in one location, most
community court cases can be resolved in one or two appearances.
Integrated approach
Working with partner health and social service agencies, the Community Court takes a
problem-solving approach to crime by addressing the underlying health and social problems
that often lead to crime. These can include drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, poverty
and poor job and social skills, which make it difficult for an offender to break the cycle of
criminal activity.
Health, income assistance and housing staff, as well as victim services and native court
workers, are located together in the new community courthouse, along with Crown counsel,
defence counsel, a police officer and probation officers. Integrated teams representing all of
these agencies work together to identify offenders' needs and circumstances and to develop
effective offender management plans.
A victim service worker is available on-site to assist victims through the community court
process. The victim service worker provides information, support and other assistance.
Connection with the Community
The Community Court relies on relationships with neighbourhoods and community groups
and creates opportunities for public connection to the court. The court links with the
community through public forums and meetings with community groups, individuals and
business organisations.
A cornerstone of the Court's approach is to sentence offenders to make reparation to the
community, compensating it for harm caused by their criminal activity. And because many
community court cases are heard quickly, offenders can begin making reparation almost
immediately, instead of being sentenced to time already served while waiting for their case to
be heard.
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How the Court Works
A key goal of Vancouver’s Downtown Community Court is to reduce harm caused to the
community by crime. The court operates on the principle that collaborative case management
can help offenders make long-term changes to their behaviour. It is a process that involves all
community court staff.
Upon arrival
When an accused person arrives at the community court, they are met by the Court's defence
lawyer. The accused can choose to work with their own lawyer instead, if they have one.
After discussing the case with defence counsel, the accused can agree to resolve their case in
the community court or, after appearing before the community court judge once, dispute the
case and proceed with a trial in a mainstream court.
Triage team interview
If the accused agrees to work to resolve their case in the Community Court, they are asked to
consent to an interview with a member of a triage team. Triage teams are made up of people
who work with the community court, and generally include representatives from probation,
health and social services, and housing. Where the offender is Aboriginal, the offender will
be interviewed by the Aboriginal court worker.
The interview will provide information so that the team can understand the accused's
circumstances and needs, and develop a plan for consideration by the judge.
Plan
In straightforward cases, the plan may simply be a recommendation that the offender attend
health or drug treatment information sessions or a referral for housing, income assistance or
health care.
Complex cases
More complex cases may require in-depth assessments by mental health, addiction and other
professionals working with the court, and their recommendations could include, for example,
drug rehabilitation or mental health treatments.
In complex cases, a case management team may be assigned to make sure the offender
follows through with recommendations in the intervention plan.
Information given to judge at sentencing
All of the relevant information, including victim impact information, is presented to the judge
at the time of sentencing. The judge considers it and renders an appropriate sentence in
relation to the severity of the crime, the offender's history, as well as addressing, where
possible, the reasons the offender was involved in criminal activity.
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The sentence could range from community service, to compensate the community for harm
done by the crime, to prison time. In most cases, offenders begin community service
immediately after the Court's decision.
Guiding Principles
Timeliness
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Community Court prides itself in dealing with cases fairly but quickly. Timely
resolution minimises inconvenience to victims and witnesses, builds public
confidence in the justice system, and connects offenders to the programmes and
resources they need to change their behaviour.
Accused persons come to court quickly, where they are assisted by a Community
Court defence counsel.
Better information about the accused means fewer delays and more informed
decisions.
Where community service is appropriate, it starts immediately. Needs for other
services are identified early and referrals are made quickly.
Integration
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The justice system cannot solve complex social and crime problems by itself. The
community court works with partners in the health and social service systems, and the
community.
Most repeat offenders have a cluster of problems feeding their criminal behaviour. All
the programmes and services involved with them are most effective when they are coordinated and support the same objectives and approach.
Communities are best protected when the justice system uses its influence and
authority to connect offenders to services which can help them move away from
criminal behaviour.
Connection to Community
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Both the justice system and communities benefit when they work together on their
common interests in public safety and accountability for criminal behaviour.
Crime damages communities as well as individual victims. Community Court
recognises the harm to all and holds offenders responsible for repairing or
compensating for the damage they have done.
Community court is visible and accessible. It welcomes visitors, reports regularly to
the community on its work, and responds to questions and suggestions. It puts
offenders to work on jobs that are of value to the community.
Community Connection
This is the Community's Court. It deals with crime that happens in the community. It ensures
that offenders make reparation for harm done to the community. It involves residents,
businesses and community organisations in helping offenders get timely access to social,
health and corrections services in order to deal with their problems in a meaningful way and
reduce re-offending.
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Since the early planning stages, Vancouver's Downtown Community Court has held public
forums and discussions with residents, Aboriginal organisations, businesses, service
providers and organisations in the court's catchment area in order to understand how crime
affects the community and what kind of public service would be useful to compensate the
community for crimes committed.
Many sentences handed down by the community court will include community service,
where offenders will make reparation to the community for harm done.
•
Local organisations, businesses and service providers can get involved by working
with the court to develop community service projects and opportunities for offenders
to serve sentences. These projects can also help offenders gain new job skills and
work experience.
•
The business community can help offenders address the root causes of their criminal
behaviour by providing employment opportunities, helping offenders make the shift
towards responsibility and independence.
•
Service providers and volunteer organisations can help offenders find and attend
programmes.
The community can also take active steps to prevent and reduce crime in its neighbourhoods.
Community Partners
The Downtown Community Court is about partnership and problem-solving to reduce crime.
Downtown Community Court collaborates with residents, community organisations and local
businesses. The following programmes and services contribute greatly to the Downtown
Community Court and make it possible for the court both to assist offenders and serve the
community.
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver is a community-based organisation that
assists women and youths involved in the criminal justice system. The society partners with
community and government agencies to create programmes and services that help build
healthy and safe communities. The Elizabeth Fry Society operates three programmes at the
Downtown Community Court. The volunteer programme assists persons appearing in court
by escorting them from the courtroom to see their probation officer, case manager, and intake
officer for other community court programmes. In the weekly counselling group, women
discuss issues that may have contributed to their criminal behaviour. The monthly crime and
consequences seminar is designed for those charged with a minor criminal offence and
focuses on criminal behaviour and the impact of crime.
Watari Youth, Family and Community Services is a non-profit agency working with atrisk children, youths, families and communities in the Downtown Eastside and the Greater
Vancouver/Richmond areas. The Watari “system negotiator” is part of the Vancouver’s
Downtown Community Court’s mental health assessment and case planning team. The team
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assesses the mental health status of persons appearing in court who present with mental
health problems, and, in consultation with partner community agencies, develops suitable
case plans. The system negotiator provides offenders with personalised support to access
community resources, such as housing, health, education, employment, addiction, financial
and legal services. The system negotiators position is funded by the Law Foundation of
British Columbia.
The City of Vancouver’s Great Beginnings Programme, funds one of two corrections’
community service positions. Community service is non-profit/volunteer work assigned to
offenders. Community service hours are ordered by the court as a condition of offenders’
sentences. The overarching goal of community service is for the offender to make amends to
the community for the harm caused while committing an offence. Community service is an
opportunity for the offender to accept responsibility for his/her actions and learn the value of
making a positive contribution to their neighbourhood. It also provides offenders with the
chance to learn pro-social skills and behaviours. Some examples of community service
performed are maintaining the Carrall Street Greenway, watering hanging baskets along the
Hastings Street corridor, and cleaning the lanes and roadways throughout the Downtown
Eastside.
The Cambie Malone’s Group of restaurants has supported the court since it opened in
2008. Cambie Malone’s donates bagged lunches twice weekly for offenders doing
community service. The lunches encourage participation and make it possible for offenders
to complete court orders.
The Insurance Corporation of BC provided funds for the court to contract H.A.V.E. Cafe to
make lunches for offenders enrolled in social, health and mental health programmes at the
community court, and for those completing community service. Providing lunch helps
offenders prepare and participate fully in the programmes and community service.
Bean Around The World Coffee, Powell Street location donates coffee and baked goods
once a month for clients of community court’s case management team. This provides clients
with an additional incentive to meet with their worker and helps community court build
relationships with clients and the community as a whole.
Telus has donated over 500 “comfort kits” for community court clients attending onsite
programming. These kits include soap, shampoo, a comb, deodorant, toothpaste, a
toothbrush and socks.
Corporate donations from Home Depot, COSTCO and DanDPAK have been received for
supplies and food for community court programs. Home Depot also donated a barbeque to
Downtown Community Court for use at community events.
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Downtown East Side Tour with Tim Veresh
I was fortunate to be shown around the downtown East Side by Tim Veresh who is the
Executive Director of the John Howard Society. Tim pre-warned me of what to expect as we
walked in heavy rain to the insite project. However, being from a rural area and not having
seen the effects drug addiction has on people, nothing could disguise my surprise at what lay
behind the doors.
Once I got over my initial shock, and Tim explained what was happening before my eyes,
could I then start to understand why this facility exists. I observed addicts using drugs in
the12 bays set aside for this purpose and the level of care being provided for them. Somewhat
bemused I watched as an addict parked his bicycle in the booth, tied his dog to the chair, and
sat and used his drugs. He went into a limp state and was checked by a nurse and stayed
lifeless for a while. As the effect wore off, he was again checked by the nurse and then, with
his dog and the bicycle left again as one of the workers asked if he needed any further help.
It struck me how radically life changes when you become addicted to substance abuse, and
how that addiction affects your life as well as your ability to maintain a home, work and your
general ability to enjoy a normal standard of living.
Insite - Supervised Injection Site
A health-focused place for people to connect with health care services
Since opening its doors in 2003, Insite has been a safe, health-focused place where people
inject drugs and connect to health care services – from primary care to treat disease and
infection, to addiction counselling and treatment, to housing and community supports.
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Insite is North America’s first legal, supervised injection site. The
BC Ministry of Health Services provides operational funding for
Insite through Vancouver Coastal Health, which operates the
facility in conjunction with PHS Community Services Society.
Insite operates on a harm-reduction model, which means it strives
to decrease the adverse health, social and economic consequences
of drug use without requiring abstinence from drug use.
Vancouver Coastal Health and PHS Community Services Society
work together to provide a comprehensive support network at
InSite, including a front line team of nurses, counsellors, mental
health workers and peer support workers.
InSite has 12 injection booths where clients inject pre-obtained illicit drugs under the
supervision of nurses and health care staff.
InSite also supplies clean injection equipment such as syringes, cookers, filters, water and
tourniquets. If an overdose occurs, the team, led by a nurse, are available to intervene
immediately.
Nurses also provide other health care services, like wound care and immunisations. Although
there have been 1,418 overdoses at InSite between 2004 and 2010, staff were able to
intervene successfully on each occassion. There has never been a fatality at InSite since its
opening. In fact, research shows that since InSite opened, overdoses in the vicinity of the site
have decreased by 35% - compared to a 9% decrease in the city overall.
InSite also has addictions counsellors, mental health workers, and peer staff who connect
clients to community resources such as housing, addictions treatment, and other supportive
services.
InSite was not designed to be a stand-alone facility. It's part of a continuum of care for people
with addiction, mental illness and HIV/AIDS. It was designed to be accessible to injection
drug users who are not well connected to health care services. Partnering with PHS
Community Services Society enabled Vancouver Coastal Health to bring health services to
the downtown East Side community in a way that was more accessible and pertinent.
For people with chronic drug addiction, InSite is the first rung on the ladder from chronic
drug addiction to possible recovery; from being ill to becoming well.
Insite and Onsite, services that exist together InSite and Onsite are wrap-around programmes
that exist one above the other in the same Hastings Street location.
When clients, usually InSite users, are ready to access withdrawal management, they can
immediately be accommodated at Onsite. On the second floor of OnSite people have access
to 12 rooms with private bathrooms where they can detox. Mental health workers,
counsellors, nurses and doctors work together to help people stabilize and plan their next
steps. People can then move up to the 3rd floor transitional recovery housing for further
stabilization and connection to community support, treatment programmes and housing.
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About half of the people who use Insite are marginalized, which means they are homeless or
living in shelters or have significant mental health issues.
Many of the clients are older and have been using drugs for a long time. Their long-term drug
use and chaotic lives have compromised seriously their overall health.
Through Insite, clients develop trusting relationships with our health care and social workers,
making them more likely to pursue withdrawal management (detox), addiction counselling
and other addiction treatment services.
Insite has been subject to rigorous, independent third party research and evaluation by the BC
Centre for Excellence HIV/AIDS.
Research examined Insite's impact on four areas during the initial three year study period,
researchers examined Insite's impact in the following areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Overdoses
Health
Appropriate use of health and social services
Costs for health, social, legal and incarceration associated with injection drug use.
Key findings
The Centre’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals including the New
England Journal of Medicine, the British Medical Journal, the Canadian Medical Association
Journal and The Lancet.
Significant research includes:
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Reduction in overdose mortality after the opening of North America’s first medically
supervised safer injecting facility: a retrospective population based study. Published
in the Lancet, April 2011. This study found that fatal overdoses within 500 metres of
Insite decreased by 35% after the facility opened compared to a decrease of 9% in the
rest of Vancouver.
The Evaluation of Vancouver’s Pilot Medically Supervised Safer Injection Facility –
Insite, a 65-page study providing a lay person’s description of the scientific evaluation
of Insite, as well as summaries of the research findings related to its impact.
The Urban Health Research Initiative (UHRI), established in 2007 as a program of
the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. The UHRI is based on a network of
studies that have been developed to help identify and understand the many factors that
affect the health of urban populations, with a focus on substance use, infectious
diseases, the urban environment and homelessness.
Visit BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS for specific articles and research about
InSite.
The facility’s legal history is complex. It currently operates under a constitutional exception
to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
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The timeline... 2003
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When Insite was opened in September 2003, it was originally awarded a three-year
exemption from Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, for scientific
and research purposes.
2006
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In September 2006, the Federal Health Minister announced an extension to the site’s
exemption that allowed Insite to operate for another 15 months.
2007
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In October 2007 the exemption was extended until June 30, 2008.
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In August 2007, the PHS Community Services Society, the two Insite clients and
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) filed a statement of claim in BC
Supreme Court seeking to have the court declare Insite the exclusive jurisdiction of
the province and for the federal government not to play any role in its future.
2008
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In May 2008, the BC Supreme Court struck down the provisions of the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act that deal with possession and trafficking but suspended the
declarations of invalidity for one year to allow Parliament to bring the law into
compliance with the Constitution, and the Court’s reasons, which ensure Insite a
permanent constitutional exemption. The Attorney General of Canada appealed the
decision.
2010
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On January 15, 2010, the BC Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal by the Attorney
General of Canada, allowing Insite to continue operations. The Attorney General
filed a further appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada.
2011
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On May 12, 2011, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear the appeal from Attorney
General of Canada.
On September 30, 2011, the Supreme Court of Canada denied the appeal by the
Attorney General of Canada, allowing Insite to continue operations.
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The Salvation Army, Belkin House
This is a Residential Programme Facility in the heart of Vancouver dedicated to:
"Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness"
It is a place of healing, where the battle is fought against homelessness, hunger, and despair a battle fought with faith and compassion. It is a place where people can discover & begin
moving toward what they were designed to be. It is a place where people - ordinary people accomplish heroic things every day.
At Belkin House they believe that they have been commissioned to reach out and help people
whose lives are battered and broken ... to become well, whole and healed ... so that they may
discover their purpose and assume the place in life that was designed for them.
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Their Mission Statement
Belkin House exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a
transforming influence within our community.
They exist to assist the homeless and those at risk of homelessness to become self-sufficient
and independent through the reduction of physical, emotional, social and spiritual barriers.
We desire that every individual who comes to us, will know that they are deeply valued; that
they will discover a fresh opportunity for positive change and for new life; and that they will
experience community, healing and transformation.
I was taken to Belkin House and Harbour Light by Lak Sehmbi, Vancouver Parole, who gave
me a great deal of information regarding the placement of ex-offenders in these homes.
Belkin House provides a home to the homeless and those who are risk of homelessness.
Within their state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility they house men, women and children
offering each a blend of residential programmes. It is an impressive structure with a wide
range of regimes. I was shown round by Les McAusland who is the Manager of transitional
housing and support services. Les had a profound effect on me in the short time I had
listening to what he and his co-workers are trying to achieve. It struck me how dedicated
these people were and genuinely interested in the outcomes of those who pass through their
facility. This facility provides some very worthwhile work which helps those who find
themselves without somewhere to call their home. The programmes provided include:
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The Emergency Shelters Programme
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54 shelter beds for men
28 shelter beds for women and children
Community Residential Facility (CRF)
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30 beds for male Federal offenders re-entering the community
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Supported Housing
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The personal development plan programme provides supported housing to 77 men
and 35 women with some rooms accommodating children.
They believe it is not enough to simply treat the exterior of the wound of suffering and
homelessness - but to assist in facilitating real healing and real change from within a
person.
"What is 'Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness'?"
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It's a pro-active approach to the tragedy of poverty and homelessness.
It's practical assistance and mentoring.
It's equipping a soul for success.
It's healing wounds.
It's support and encouragement.
It's loving our neighbour.
The "Breaking the Cycle Programme" consists of 5 essential elements
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1. Building Healthy Community
2. Imparting Tools for Living
3. Forming A Spiritual Foundation
4. Offering Support Services
5. Preparing For Employment & Worker Training
At Belkin House they offer all the residents:
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Counselling & Referral Services
Education & Skills Development
Pro Bono Legal Services
Recreational & Social Activities
Spiritual Formation Programmes & Services
Belkin House Personal Development Plan (PDP) Programme
Active positive participation in a personal development programme is a fundamental
requirement of a supported housing residency at Belkin House.
The PDP Programme was designed purposely as the "next step" for men and women seeking
to break the cycles of poverty, despair and destructive patterns of living, and to progress
forward towards positive, productive, self-sufficient and independent living within the
community.
The Programme is particularly beneficial as a continuum of support for men and women who
have just completed a residential addiction treatment programme. Programme participants
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also enter the PDP Programme through the emergency shelter system, the correctional
system, and through referrals.
With the aid and encouragement of a Counsellor, programme participants determine their
own measurable and attainable personal development goals and begin working towards them
within a safe and supported community environment.
Giving hope - the PDP Programme equips programme participants with the necessary and
critical life, living and employment related skills and facilitates healing and transformation in
the lives of the men and women who come to us for help.
The Facility
Belkin House has two floors dedicated to hosting a variety of residential programmes and
five floors dedicated to housing up to 224 men, women and children.
They are a 24/7 operation and provide a clean, safe, secure and comfortable accommodation
for their residents.
The day-by-day operation is carried out by more than 114 full-time, part-time and casual
employees as well as a host of volunteers.
The Salvation Army Belkin House is a ministry of the Salvation Army's Social Services.
It opened its doors over 50 years ago, at 500 Dunsmuir Street, as The Dunsmuir House for
men.
In September 2004 they opened as a new multi-program facility - at a new location, and with
a new name - The Salvation Army Belkin House.
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Their downtown location (555 Homer St.) is state-of-the-art facility.
It was designed specifically to accommodate housing, training programmes, in-class
instruction, social and recreational activities, common areas for clients, and other services
such as chaplaincy and counselling.
Belkin House operates in part with funding assistance from, BC Housing, Correctional
Services Canada, The National Salvation Army Red Shield Fund and private donations.
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The Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light
This impressive centre is dealing with hundreds of people per day. I was amazed by the
different programmes being run and how this was all managed. It was also helpful to note the
positive relationships the staff have with those suffering from addiction and how the
programmes have developed from the needs of the community. It is based in the heart of
Vancouver and I was surprised at the number of people living in this downtown area who are
suffering from addiction problems.
The Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light is located at 119 East Cordova Street
in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Their primary objective is to assist men and women
over the age of 19 who are shelter-less, incarcerated, or whose lives have become
dysfunctional because of addiction to chemical substances. The Salvation Army is motivated
by a commitment to God and a practical concern for the needs of humanity. The spiritual and
humanitarian services represent a continuum of care that accepts individuals in pain, provides
basic life necessities, treatment for those in active addiction, or re-integration of parolees to
the community. Harbour Light provides "building blocks" that enable clients to regain their
health, obtain shelter, participate in a recovery programme from substance abuse, access
affordable housing and opportunities to move from unemployment to employability and reintegration to society
Their Mission Statement.
The Harbour Light is dedicated to the recognition of the dignity and worth of people, where
God's love is demonstrated in a practical way through holistic programmes that attend to the
spiritual, social, physical and psychological well-being of the individual.
The mandate of Harbour Light is to increase client awareness and understanding of their
problems, and the personality traits they have acquired from substance abuse. Harbour Light
tries to teach clients to understand there's more to life than drugs or alcohol. They have ten
programmes in its continuum of care.
The ministry focuses on the rehabilitation of individuals by assisting individuals in their pain,
providing the basic necessities of life and offering detox and treatment to those in active
addiction. This contributes to the building blocks that enable individuals to move from
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sickness, homelessness, unemployment and addictions to health, recovery, job training,
literacy, affordable housing, job opportunities and re-integration to society
Harbour Light Detox
The Harbour Light detox is a medically supported detox centre that provides acute
withdrawal management services for clients suffering from drug addiction, and assistance
with referrals for recovery and treatment. The detox process begins by building clients'
physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual health. It is their mission to provide clients
with a clean, safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment. There are long waiting lists for
clients - the wait ranges between one and ten days. Clients are 19 years of age and older with
average ages between 25 and 35, although recently there has been an increase in younger
people. Clients are taken from all areas of the province.
Highlights of Harbour Light Detox-Clients:
o Harbour Light Detox serves between 150 and 160 clients a month
o There are beds for 23 males and 6 females
o Services are available for clients with certain types of addiction (opiates, amphetamines,
pot, crack cocaine, etc)
o Clients are admitted through the Vancouver Costal Heath Authority, though a few beds are
maintained for walk in clients
- Services:
o Medical services
o Mental health resources
o Assistance with finding treatment/recovery
o Assistance with finding funding for treatment/recovery
o Therapies including: recovery groups, seeking safety groups, instruction on nutrition,
vitamins and healthy eating; alternate therapies to medication such as detox teas,
acupuncture, and relaxation tapes
o Recreation includes: roof garden walks, recreation room, regular videos, games, puzzles,
reading, television, educational videos and classes
Partnerships:
There are many organizations the Harbour Light Detox works with, or can work with, to
improve the services offered to clients. These include the Vancouver Coastal Health
Authority, A & D Counsellors’, hospitals and clinics, other Salvation Army facilities, and
other organisations such as: Covenant House, Triage, CCL, Look Out, Sheway Project,
Family Services, Steveston House, Miracle Valley, Strathcona Mental Health, Dr. Peter's
Centre, St. Paul's Hospital, Safe Ride, BCIT, Douglas College, BCGEU, BCNU, SWAP,
Vancouver Recovery Club, Vancouver Police, Needle Exchange, Alcoholics Anonymous,
Cocaine Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous.
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Guy Richmond Place (GRP)
I was taken to Guy Richmond by Jodi Harbour and was given a tour of the House. Guy
Richmond Place is a home in a residential area of the community in Vancouver. It promotes
successful reintegration of men on conditional release from federal correctional institutions or
on day parole from provincial institutions. It is a structured environment facilitating improved
community functioning, offering assistance with employment and substance abuse issues, and
lending moral support to residents on their way to becoming contributing members of society.
Guy Richmond Place (GRP)
It has 18 beds comprising of 6 single rooms and 6 double rooms.
The house also provides all residents with access to phone and voicemail, laundry, in room
cable TV, stereo system, small gym area and a computer. It has close proximity to a local
leisure centre, library, colleges and the transport system. They also offer specific services and
programmes (A/D counselling, CSC programmes, employment search, etc)
The staff also provide assistance with Personal Identification needs, BC medical services,
Tax forms, and referrals are made for employment Assistance and resumes.
GRP works in partnership with the Vancouver Public Library to provide residents with
specific skills on how to work a computer and navigate on the Internet, including how to use
email. GRP also refers clients to BC Borstal's employment programme. In addition, GRP
encourages participation in Britannia's leisure pass programme.
Guy Richmond Place is a Community Residential Facility that encourages self-care. All
residents are responsible for a house chore, cooking their own meals, laundry and
maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Staff continue to provide support and advocacy for residents
as required and promote healthy lifestyles and choices.
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All residents are responsible for the preparation and cleaning of the kitchen area as part of
their daily meal requirements. Residents are able to pick from an array of nutritional options
that GRP provide to all.
Guy Richmond Place has a structured gradual curfew for the first two weeks of residency.
During the first week of residency all residents are expected to be in house between the hours
of 5pm-6pm and again between 930pm and 7am. During the second week residents are
expected to return to GRP by 930 pm. The third week, residency will become regular SunThurs 11pm-7am in house Fri-Sat 1230 am-0830am. Curfews are set as agreed upon by the
house manager and the Community Parole Officer. All residents as per house rules must be in
the house for a minimum of 8 hours per day.
No weekend passes are allowed during the first month of residency. One pass during the
second month, two during the third month, three during the fourth month, blanket weekend
passes after five months. Weekend passes are granted with the approval of both the
Community Parole Officer and House Manager.
All residents are expected to abide by the following conditions:
Sign in and out of CRF and provide exact destinations, as well as follow house curfews. Call
in every four hours from a landline unless at work. Complete house chores as assigned, have
an open and disclosive working relationship with staff, provide input on their Case plan and
monthly updates, smoke only in designated areas, No alcohol or substance consumption are
tolerated. Guests may visit between the hours of 10am and 10 pm and must sign in at the staff
office.
Guy Richmond Place continues to provide federal offenders on all types of release a
structured and supportive environment. Due to John Howard Society screening criteria it is
difficult to determine a typical resident. However, all accepted residents need to be male on
some form of conditional release from a federal Institution, be actively participating in their
case plan, and making positive change for themselves. The average resident stays 3 to 6
months and has some form of substance abuse, health condition or mental health need.
Non CSC services that operate out of or uses the house (provincial beds, forensic beds,
COSA, etc)
Guy Richmond Place offers residency to Correctional Services of Canada clients.
Guy Richmond Place works with Federal Offenders on all types of release from a federal
Institution. Residents are expected to use their stay at Guy Richmond Place as an opportunity
to complete programming, initiate employment, continue studies, build community supports,
re-establish family relationships, and have a structured and supported environment from
which to reintegrate back into the community. Staff continue to monitor house rules and
conditions of release as well as offer support and advocacy to clients.
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The Community Corrections Intervention Board.
Assigning offenders to the right placement
I attended a CCIB meeting which is designed to discuss those corrections cases being
considered for release. I was surprised by the openness and free-sharing of information with
all the local halfway houses about the offenders being considered for release. This involves
all the halfway houses being represented and the parole officers from the community
corrections office. At the meeting information about the offenders is disclosed and discussed.
The halfway houses will then either make an offer of housing or decline each individual. The
offender is then informed who will accept them or indeed why they would not accept them.
The results of the board are typed on to their computer information system (Prism) and are
made available immediately to the offender. This information is freely shared and assists the
halfway houses to decide who can be admitted giving consideration to their individual
criteria.
Having worked with the hostel providers while in the Resettlement Team I know they would
appreciate a system similar to this as it assists them to screen those who would be offered a
placement at a hostel. I was amazed to find the chairman of the Citizens’ Advisory
Committee Bob Marshall in attendance (IMB) and he informed me that this was a very
successful and worthwhile meeting which helped place offenders in the right place on release.
He stated that if he is unavailable another member of the committee will attend such is their
belief in this process.
•
The CCIB meets on a weekly basis to review potential offender releases and aid in the
creation of Community Strategies developed for each offender being released into the
community.
•
Board members include: Parole Officer Supervision, Manager Programmes, CRF staff
from each halfway house, a CAC board member, Psychology, Community
Employment Counsellors, Aboriginal liaisons and representation from the mental
health team.
•
The Parole Officer presents each case to the board which includes the following
information:
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history of offence
sentence length
type of release
special conditions
release destination
Community/family support
victims in area
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health information/concerns
psychological information
identified programmes
programmes completed in the institutions
outstanding programme needs
employment
education
After the information is presented, the CCIB discusses the case and makes decisions
regarding residency, Correctional programme referrals, Employment/Education
needs, psychology referrals and mental health needs which is used in the creation of
the Community Strategy. The information gathered is also stored on templates and is
easily accessible and used when the offender is actually released.
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The Westcoast Genesis Society
Maria Keary Cottage
Genesis House
The West coast Genesis Society is a non-profit organisation and registered charity formed in
April 2000. Its mission is to promote actively the physical, psychological, emotional, and
spiritual well-being of persons who are socially marginalised.
I was shown around by Andrew Boyd and Jodi Harbour. The facility was built on a
Residential Street and just seemed to blend into its surroundings. It is an example of what I
believe to be best practice. Andrew and his staff are extremely committed to the work they
are doing here while being very considerate of the community’s needs. I was impressed with
the new-build Maria Keary Cottage which has been impeccably designed to meet the needs of
those living at the facility without losing that residential ambiance. The integration within the
community is also extremely impressive Andrew explained that he had been the chairman of
the local community association and still plays an active part in that association. This he felt
benefitted the work they are trying to achieve.
The West Coast Genesis Society has a mission of creating a therapeutic yet secure
environment and I feel they certainly have achieved this. Currently their outreach includes:
•
operating two Community Residential Facilities (CRFs) and Programmes Centres for
adult male offenders on conditional release (20 beds at Genesis House and 15 beds at
Maria Keary Cottage) under contract to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC);
•
delivering the first specialised programmes in Canada for offenders living with fetal
alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) at Maria Keary Cottage using an intervention
model that accommodates the disabilities these clients face;
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•
providing transitional and supported housing for up to 20 adult men who live in New
Westminster and are homeless, or at risk of homelessness because of a physical,
social or mental condition or disability under an operating agreement with the British
Columbia Housing Management Commission (BC Housing).
Staff assist offenders to re-integrate into the community as law-abiding citizens through a
variety of programmes that focus on the individual's needs for therapeutic interventions and
practical solutions. Staff support housing residents to access the resources they need to
address their needs and stabilise their lives so they can achieve healthy, safe and meaningful
lives, whether in alternate housing or as long-term residents of Maria Keary Cottage.
They also deliver a number of CSC Correctional Programmes under contract to CSC.
Gordon Thomson is House Manager for Genesis House and Pamela Sesk is House Manager
for Maria Keary Cottage. Each has House Supervisors and a Cook reporting to them. Pamela
also has a Case Manager at Maria Keary Cottage primarily for the FASD Offender
Programme. Both House Managers report directly to Andrew Boyd along with Business
Manager Robert Chesterman and professional programme staff.
Andrew served as President of the New Westminster Downtown Residents Association
(NWDRA) for several years and currently remains on the Board. He also co-chaired the New
Westminster Homelessness Coalition for two years. The Coalition, with members from all
levels of government and from local human service agencies, comes together to develop and
implement effective strategies for meeting the needs of chronically homeless people in New
Westminster. He also serves as a member of the New Westminster Inter-Agency Council. He
strives always to maintain positive relations with local neighbours, the broader community,
elected officials and senior City staff.
Andrew has extensive experience as a Alcohol and Drug Counsellor with the Salvation
Army’s Harbour Light Centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, where he built and
became Director of their first Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) residential programme
for federal offenders. Before opening Genesis House in July 2000, he worked for CSC as one
of their Programme Delivery Officers for Correctional Programmes. He is recognised for his
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entrepreneurial skill, his ability to work with staff and with very high-need clients, and his
dedication to working with offenders to help ensure they re-integrate successfully into their
local communities.
The Services provided on this site.
Community Residential Facilities (CRF)
Genesis House opened in July 2000. Built in 1898, it is a large, beautiful, white heritage
house located at the corner of Carnarvon and Merivale in residential New Westminster,
British Columbia. The house has been fully renovated inside to include additional showers
and washrooms. The bedrooms have also been refurbished, and their floors have been
restored to their original state. Genesis House can accommodate up to 20 residents in single,
double, and triple occupancy rooms. Rooms are locked and residents have their own key.
Maria Keary Cottage opened in March 2010 upon completion of a major construction project
that involved restoring the twin cottages built as rental properties for the widow Maria Keary
in 1887 on Carnarvon Street, a stone’s throw from the current Genesis House. Samuel
Maclure, who later became one of British Columbia’s most influential architects, designed
and built the original houses in the Queen Anne style. Besides restoring the original houses
under a Heritage Revitalization Agreement with the City, the Society joined the two houses
into one and also added a two-storey addition at the rear. The main entrance to Maria Keary
Cottage is now at the north end of the building off Dickenson Street (one block north of
Carnarvon). The house features a fully-equipped weights room and an infered sauna. All but
one of the fifteen CRF beds are in double occupancy rooms. Rooms are locked and residents
have their own access code.
Both Genesis House CRF and Maria Keary Cottage CRF specialise in serving persons with
substance use issues and accept residents on the Methadone Maintenance Treatment
Programme. The Agency also hosts local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. Staff at
Maria Keary Cottage deliver the only residential programme in Canada for adult male
offenders on conditional release living with FASD utilizing highly structured and customized
interventions that take into account the specific challenges faced by the individual client.
Both houses are close to public transportation with quick and easy access to most locations in
the Lower Mainland. The Columbia Sky Train station is a short walk away. The New
Westminster Community Corrections (Parole) Office is also within walking distance. The
Canada Games Pool & Fitness Centre and the Royal City Centre shopping mall are short
distances away.
Each house has a cook and residents can have three meals daily, residents prepare their own
breakfast in the morning and all meals on the weekend and on statutory holidays. Coffee is
available through the day. There are laundry facilities in both houses and residents may
purchase detergent at the Front Desk). Each house also has free cable T.V. in the rooms, one
or two telephones for local calls and a computer terminal. The houses are staffed with awake
staff on a 24/7 basis.
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Correctional Programmes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Community Maintenance Programme
Community Programme
Methadone Maintenance Support Group Programme
FASD Offender Programme including in-reach and outreach services, residential
services while on conditional release, after-care support
Intensive Management Programme – Reporting Centre
Urinalysis Collection Service
Community Employment Counsellor (CEC)
MSD (Income Assistance) Liaison Officer
Intervention Specialists (Temporary Detainee Unit)
Transitional and Supported Housing
In addition to the 15 CRF beds, Maria Keary Cottage also offers 20 low-barrier, harmreduction beds for chronically homeless men. These transitional and supported housing beds
are a response to the need identified in the December 2006 New Westminster Homelessness
Action Strategy and Implementation Plan for “a minimum-barrier, harm-reduction supported
housing facility for the chronically homeless.” Staff of Maria Keary Cottage offer housing
and assistance to previously homeless men to help them stabilise their lives and overcome the
barriers that keep them homeless.
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often”.
Sir Winston Churchill
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Facts on FASD
Did you know:
•
Alcohol use during pregnancy is the leading cause of preventable birth defects and
developmental delays in Canadian children.
•
An estimated 9 in every 1000 children born in Canada have FASD (Health Canada,
FASD: A Framework for Action, 2003).
•
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to refer to a
spectrum of diagnosable disabilities caused by pre-natal exposure to alcohol.
Diagnoses in this spectrum include:
o
o
o
o
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS);
partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS);
alcohol related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) and
alcohol related birth defects (ARBD).
•
For more information on the diagnostic categories and criteria see the new Canadian
Diagnostic Guidelines.
•
Drinking during pregnancy can cause behavioural and physical disabilities, including
malformed bones, muscles, vital organs and permanent brain damage.
•
Only a fraction of affected children have identifiable facial features. Most children’s
impairments are invisible, but they are profoundly challenged, especially in areas of
social skills and common sense (Dr. Albert Chudley, Damaged Angels, 2004).
•
Children born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder face challenges in the way they
live, learn and play for the rest of their lives.
•
Children who grow up with FASD are at high risk of serious secondary problems,
such as dropping out of school or getting expelled; getting into trouble with the law;
abuse of alcohol and other drugs; inappropriate or risky sexual behaviour; inability to
maintain employment; and mental health issues such as clinical depression. (The
Challenge of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Overcoming Secondary Disabilities, Ann
Streissguth and Jonathan Kanter, 1997, University of Washington Press.)
•
Direct costs associated with FASD over a lifetime have been estimated at about $1.5
million per person with FASD (Health Canada, FASD: A Framework for Action,
2003).
The only known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy is NONE AT ALL. No safe
type. No safe amount. No safe time.
•
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Institutions visited in Finland
Prison Service Training Institute.
Helsinki City Prison and Assessment Centre.
Kerava Prison.
SILTA VALMENNUS.
C.R.I.S (Criminals ‘Return in to Society.
OWN DOOR.
Turko Prison.
The Community Criminal Sanctions Office, Vantaa.
KRITS (Kriminaalihuollon Tukisaatio).
Hameenlinna Prison.
Vanaja Prison.
Suomenlinna Island Prison.
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Institutions visited in British Columbia, Canada
Pacific Institution / Regional Treatment Centre / Regional Reception and
Assessment Centre (Multi-level security).
Ferndale Institution (Minimum security).
Fraser Valley Institution (Multi-level security).
Fraser Valley Community Services.
Maple Ridge Parole.
Salvation Army Hostel at Maple Ridge.
Maple Ridge Treatment Centre .
Chilliwack Community Correctional Centre.
Kwìkwèxwelhp Aboriginal Healing Village (Minimum security).
Kent Institution (Maximum security).
Vancouver Community Services.
Community Courts and housing.
Tour of Downtown East Side programmes.
Vancouver Parole.
Belkin House.
Harbour Light.
Guy Richmond Place.
New Westminster Parole to attend the CCIB in the morning.
Maria Keary and Genesis House
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Distribution List
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
Mr David Ford MLA, Justice Minister, Northern Ireland Executive.
Lord Morrow MLA (Chairman) Committee for Justice.
Dame Anne Owers
Mr Paul Given MLA, Stormont.
Mr Colin McConnell Director General Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Mr Ronnie Armour, Director of Human Resources, Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Mr Max Murray, Director of Offender Policy, Northern Ireland Prison Service.
Mr Graeme Wilkinson, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Northern Ireland Prison
Service.
Dr Hannu Kiehela Director, The Training Institute of Prison and Probation Services,
Rikosseuraamusalan koulutuskeskus, Prison Service, Finland.
Mr Alain Charette Corrections Service Canada.
Mr Pat Maguire, Governor Maghaberry Prison.
Mr Austin Treacy, Deputy Governor Maghaberry Prison.
Mr Alan Craig, Director of Operations, Prison Service Headquarters.
Ms Ritva Vahakoski, Senior Lecturer, The Training Institute of Prison and Probation
Services, Rikosseuraamusalan koulutuskeskus, Prison Service, Finland.
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Web-sites used for Reference.
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, http://www.wcmt.org.uk/
RISE Criminal Sanctions Agency Finland, http://www.rikosseuraamus.fi/14994.htm
The Correctional Service Canada, http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/index-eng.shtml
CRIS Criminals Return to Society, http://www.kris.fi/?id=163
KRITS, http://www.krits.fi/ENGLISH/index_e.htm
Eastern Kentucky University – College of Justice and Safety, http://www.justice.eku.edu/
Silta Valmennus, http://www.siltavalmennus.fi/
'Portti vapauteen' ('Gate to Freedom'), http://www.porttivapauteen.fi/
Placement in supported accommodation (2007-2010 http://www.krits.fi/ENGLISH/FFLD/soappage.shtml
CORCAN employment programmes, http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/prgrm/corcan/homeeng.shtml
The John Howard Society, http://www.johnhoward.ca/
The Centre for Court Innovation, http://www.courtinnovation.org/
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, http://www.elizabethfry.com/
Watari Youth, Family and Community Services, http://www.watari.org/
The City of Vancouver’s Great Beginnings Programme,
http://vancouver.ca/greatbeginnings/aboutus.htm
The Cambie Malone’s Group, http://www.thecambie.com/
Bean Around The World Coffee, http://www.fuelledbycaffeine.com/
Vancouver Coastal Health, http://www.vch.ca/
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Articles of Interest.
Acta Poenologia (Scientific Studies), http://www.rikosseuraamus.fi/uploads/ppee1.pdf
Mission and Short-term Policies of the Prison Administration and the Probation Association
1999, http://www.rikosseuraamus.fi/uploads/rcc99ov6m2l.pdf
Drug Free Model used for the Drug Free Landing at Keravo Prison Finland – Page 36
Hand-over to the community – Page 47& 48
Kriminaaliasiamiesprojekti, 2002-2006 - http://www.krits.fi/ENGLISH/development.htm
Dr. Albert Chudley, Damaged Angels, 2004, http://elainecousineau.com/damaged.html
The Challenge of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Overcoming Secondary Disabilities, Ann
Streissguth and Jonathan Kanter, 1997, University of Washington Press,
http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/The_challenge_of_fetal_alcohol_syndrome.html?id=
UZ8WEp9Ni1QC
Health Canada, FASD: A Framework for Action, 2003, http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/publicat/fasd-fw-etcaf-ca/index-eng.php
Reduction in overdose mortality after the opening of North America’s first medically
supervised safer injecting facility, http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS01406736%2810%2962353-7/abstract
The Evaluation of Vancouver’s Pilot Medically Supervised Safer Injection Facility – Insite,
http://www.cfenet.ubc.ca/publications/findings-evaluation-vancouvers-pilot-medicallysupervised-safer-injection-facility-insi
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/
The Community Corrections Intervention Board, http://www.cscscc.gc.ca/text/plcy/cdshtm/005-1gl-eng.shtml
Health Canada, FASD: A Framework for Action, 2003, http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/publicat/fasd-fw-etcaf-ca/index-eng.php
Canadian Diagnostic Guidelines,
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ana.410130302/pdf
Beyond the Revolving Door: A New Response to Chronic Offenders,
http://www.bcjusticereview.org/working_groups/street_crime/scwg_report_09_29_05.pdf
The Urban Health Research Initiative (UHRI), http://uhri.cfenet.ubc.ca/
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