What is the system challenge?

In Ontario, evidence shows that men recently released from prison are more likely to face a broad range of challenges, including:

lack of access to stable housing;
lack of employment;
lack of educational opportunities;
anger management issues;
mental health and substance use issues;
lost identification (i.e. driver’s license);
poverty; and
lack of supportive social networks.

Imprisoned people also tend to have poorer overall health than the general population and are at greater risk of death from an accidental drug overdose immediately after release.

These men face further obstacles upon release from prison due to barriers that discharge planners face in their efforts to develop effective plans for release. Obstacles include the lack of clear lines of communication between community organizations, government agencies, and others who have the ability to support reintegration into the community, as well as the stigma surrounding former prisoners. Research shows that men who are released from prison but do not receive assistance with reintegration have a high risk of re-offending within a relatively short period of time.

What are we doing about it?

The Toronto Justice Service Collaborative determined that the best time to provide assistance to men released from custody is the period immediately after discharge. The Service Collaborative partnered with the John Howard Society of Toronto to build capacity and enhance processes within the Reintegration Centre – a service, support, and referral hub for men that includes mental health, housing and legal services.

The Service Collaborative worked with partners at the John Howard Society to co-develop a staff orientation and training program, with weekly coaching related skills provided by a PSSP implementation coach.

Now, immediately upon release, men are able to receive coordinated access to community support services from a variety of partner agencies at the Reintegration Centre to help them safely transition into the community.

Exploration
Installation
Initial Implementation
Full Implementation

?What's this?

Installation

Toronto Justice Service Collaborative members worked together to develop a service model that would provide targeted support to individuals being released from custody. A number of options and opportunities were explored, and after considering readiness and suitability, members determined that resources should be used to support the John Howard Society of Toronto’s efforts to open a Reintegration Centre across from the Toronto South Detention Centre.

Initial Implementation

The Toronto Justice Service Collaborative partnered with the John Howard Society of Toronto to develop tools and processes that would help service providers at the Reintegration Centre provide tailored support to men requiring reintegration assistance. Together they developed an intake tool, supported the development and implementation of the service provision processes, and conducted focus groups with key stakeholder groups to guide program improvements and make revisions to the intake tool and service delivery processes. The Service Collaborative also submitted a Toronto Housing Position Paper to support the Government of Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Update consultations.

Full Implementation

The Toronto Justice Service Collaborative partnered with the John Howard Society of Toronto to provide weekly onsite coaching to Reintegration Centre staff and co-develop a comprehensive orientation and training program for onsite staff.

Who is involved?

Resources

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CAMH PSSP

Toronto Justice Service Collaborative