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Family & Corrections Network |
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October 10-12, 1993 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
BRIDGE BUILDERS: A DYNAMIC APPROACH TO DEVELOPING HEALTHY FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUPS Une approche dynamique pour developper un reseau de soutien efficace au sein de la famille et de la collectivite Rev. Arne Jensen, Chaplain Mission/Ferndale Institutions Mission, B.C., V2V 4L8 (604) 826-1231 Le concept de la creation de liens entre les etablissements et la collectivite est important. Non seulement le detenu a besoin de se preparer a cette transition, mais sa famille aussi. Groupe de soutien cree a l'interieur, puis groupe de soutien a l'exterieur, voila qui aide a parvenir a la stabilite. Un groupe de ce genre a ete forme par un ex-detenu et sa femme pour faciliter la transition. Ce groupe se reunit regulierement pour aider les familles dans leur evolution. C'est ce qu'il fait depuis un an, et les participants ont beaucoup a dire au sujet de leur orientation. Un membre de la commission des liberations conditionnelles supervise le travail du groupe - non en assistant aux reunions, mais en soutenant l'animateur et sa femme. Les detenus commencent a assister aux reunions avec leurs femmes pendant qu'ils beneficient de permissions de sortir. Apres une longue periode d'incarceration, beaucoup de changements sont a considerer - la perte d'appuis dans la collectivite, les changements survenus au sein de celle-ci, de nouveaux amis ou pas d'amis, le fait de s'etre marie pendant le temps d'incarceration, la recherche d'un emploi, le travail ou la difficulte d'en trouver, les responsabilites parentales. Il peut etre difficile de s'occuper de questions comme celles-la, et le groupe peut offrir ressources et appuis a ses membres. Il faut beaucoup d'imagination et de planification a cet egard. In this introduction I want to share about my earliest experience as a chaplain at a maximum institution (Kent). Those early days I spent time with Glen, an inmate, and John Stonskt, the Warden. Both of these people were serious about the family and what happened to the family. The warden was concerned about his inmate and the staff of their families. Glen spent much time talking about his mother and his dad, his ex wife and his two sons. One day I got a phone call from the family of another inmate whom I will call George. George's family was from another province and wanted to know how their son and brother were doing. During a robbery George had killed the store owner. He is on a life sentence. He considered his plight and experienced isolation and loss of self-esteem. I talked at length with the Warden of how a bridge could be built with his family as a result of consultation - it was decided to have a family worship service with communion services. Thus family worship services of reconciliation began at Kent Institution. At the same time I began getting close to other inmates. This is the opposite experience which left me with many questions. I'll share a couple of examples. One day John came to see me. We spent many months talking about his family. Finally after much consideration he asked if I would contact his parents. After lengthy searching I phoned his father. I remember his response, "I want no connection with my son. If my son dies or is killed in prison, don't phone or contact me. Please put in his file not to contact his parents." I talked to John. He was deeply disappointed; a lump was in my throat. Another example. Bill was a lifer in Kent. He was having a difficult time. We talked about his depressions and isolation. At the time, I was told that a person's life was worth a package of cigarettes. Bill was stabbed one evening and died. I tried to contact his family and or friends and could find no one in the community. I conducted a simple ceremony at the graveside. At the service, there were staff members, the undertaker, and myself. There was no community for Bill. To build bridges between the community and the institution is a large task. At this stage I would like to share some bridges that could be built: 1) involvement in case management team - Wilma - reviews, marriage preparation 2) involvement in groups in prison blessing group forgive and forget attendance at groups in community attendance at worship building support groups in community enlisting the help of ex-inmates especially lifers Comments form Glen's and Sharrie's experience B. LONG-TERM INMATES NOW IN THE COMMUNITY (LINC) PROGRAM OVERVIEW The purpose of this proposal is to outline a plan to set up a support group for lifers, long term offenders and chronic offenders (male and female) who have been released or who are in the process of being released into the community. It has been documented that adjusting to community norms and values after a lengthy period of incarceration can be difficult - even for the most pro-social offender. The planned program proposed to address this problem by providing a structured support group for newly-released offenders. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The primary aim of the proposed program is to assist long term offenders' integration into the community. This goal meets one of the four core concepts of the Correctional Strategy of the Correctional Service of Canada (delivery of effective programs in the community which link to those in the institutions). Each offender will establish his own "mission" or "purpose". It is assumed that with careful planning and guidance, each participant will leave the program with a "life plan" and a high level of support. Specifically, support will involve family, interested community members, corrections staff and other offenders. These offenders will in turn be qualified to assist others. The strategies and philosophy of the program support the overall Mission of the Correctional Service of Canada. 1. To provide an opportunity for long term offenders to develop their potential in terms of personal growth, including contribution to their community. (Core Value #1) 2. To assist offenders to develop the cognitive awareness and capacity (skills) to live as law abiding citizens in the community. (Core Value #2) 3. To create an environment conducive to staff/inmate interaction and open communication. To network with staff (in this case primarily Parole Officers). To liaise with other program people to share ideas, values and knowledge. (Core Value #3 and 4) 4. To provide a measure of evaluation and to be accountable to the CSC. (Core Value #5) PROGRAM METHODS As this is not a static program, the methods used may vary from individual to individual. However, the primary function of this group is to provide support to those dealing with the difficult job of reintegration. That support will come from formal and informal meetings that group members will be encouraged to attend. It is in no way intended nor proposed that this support group be a replacement for other valuable programs. It is, in fact, an important function of the group to supply as many possible resources that may aid an individual in the quest of his or her "purpose" or "mission". While attendance at group meeting will not be compulsory, the group will strive at all time to motivate and encourage members to derive full benefit from programs like NA, AA and all other professional help. Although this group will not initially utilize a step-type approach, it is hoped that many basic issues surrounding compulsive criminal behavior will be addressed. Specifically, crime cycle and relapse prevention will be the focus of much group discussion. A "buddy system" will be implemented fashioned after AA. It is unlikely, and even possibly undesirable, for all members to be "friends" in the group setting, but likely individuals will gravitate to one another. If, in the event this does not occur, the facilitator will fulfill this function. Also, due to the expected volunteer involvement in this program, it is likely that individual members will become involved with some of them in the "buddy system." PROGRAM FORMAT To start, the program will be based out of Sumas Centre, located in Abbotsford. It is hoped that this site will be acceptable to all, but it is also expected that this program will expand, and therefore, other facilities may be utilized. The group will have one regularly scheduled meeting of a 3 hour duration once a week. Transportation will be provided for anyone wishing to make the commitment to attend regularly. These meetings will often have guests and presentations, but a certain amount of time will be afforded to group discussion each week. These discussion periods will focus on individual programs and directly with an individual's crime cycle and possible strategies for relapse prevention. The group will also meet informally and not necessarily as a whole, but rather as "cells" of the whole. These "cells" will be involved in various Community Service Programs, Community Awareness, various Charities and other activities which are deemed as meaningful and fulfilling by the group. It is expected that many people will be involved in this program, but not all will be members. Membership to the group will be limited and this will be determined by the group dynamic, referral and individual needs. A member may be male or female and may be an ex-offender or the significant other of an ex-offender. Part of the evaluation of this program will be consistency of membership involvement, and anonymous questionnaires which will be circulated periodically. The CSC may call for such evaluation at any time, but must allow 30 days for response. SELECTION OF EX-OFFENDER PARTICIPANTS Any inmates who are interested in becoming future participants will be referred or approved through Case Management Officers at the following institutions: Kent; Matsqui; Mountain; Mission; Elbow Lake; Ferndale, and Sumas Center. Individuals currently on parole will be referred through parole staff. Criteria for selection will include mature (35+ years) long term or chronic offenders who are motivated and who reside in the Lower Mainland. It is hoped that some participants will be ex-offenders' spouses. A goal of the program is to create ongoing support. Spousal and family support and relationship building are seen as crucial in this process. It is also hoped to create a setting where differences are not only tolerated, but accepted as positive opportunities for growth. PROGRAM FACILITATOR The facilitator (coordinator) of this program shall be an ex-offender who has been successful in re-integration. The person shall have proved to be responsible, consistent and motivated. This person will be seen as open and responsive to the constant need for personal growth and development as a means to recovery. Such a person will be screened and approved by CSC prior to the commencement of any group or program and will be directly accountable to a contact person at RHQ (Pacific). The facilitator will supply a monthly report to the contact person which can be distributed as is deemed appropriate. PROJECT MANAGER DUTIES INCLUDE: 1. Conduct interviews and assessments 2. Participate in all group meetings 3. Co-ordinate volunteers 4. Provide counseling when necessary 5. Co-ordinate transportation 6. Responsible for bookkeeping and accounting 7. Other related duties |
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