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Family & Corrections Network |
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October 10-12, 1993 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
CANADIAN FAMILY HOSPITALITY HOMES Les Maisons canadiennes d'hebergement pour les familles Le sujet de cette presentation, coordonnee par Donna Bannister, fut les "Canadian Hospitality Homes", leur historique, leurs reussites, et leurs problemes. Des representants de Family House, Abbotsford, C.-B., Bridge House, Kingston, ON, Maison d'hebergement Bon Pasteur, Port Cartier, QC, et Springhouse, Springhill, N.-E. ont assiste. Toutes ces 'maisons' et leur personnel offrent, chacune selon leurs moyens, des ressources a la disponibilite de leurs visiteurs afin de faciliter leurs visites en etablissemnent avec les membres de leurs familles. This presentation, coordinated by Donna Bannister, consisted of individual presentations from each member of the panel in relation to the background and operation of all four of the currently existing Canadian Family Hospitality Homes, with slide presentations superimposed. There was an opportunity for Questions and Answers. Panel Members Sister Mary Decourcey, Representing Father Gabriel Savignac on behalf of Sister Collette, Representing Touchette Good Shepherd House Moira Duffy (text not available/ il n'y a pas de texte de disponible), Representing Donna Bannister (text removed by request), Representing LA MAISON DU BON PASTEUR, PORT CARTIER, QC Good Shepherd Hospitality House Mr. Ingstrup, former Canadian Commissioner of Correctional Services, wrote this in the C.S.C. publication "LET'S TALK." "TO GENERATE NEW IDEAS IS NOT ANYONE'S MONOPOLY. EVERY PROPOSAL MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, IF IT SUPPORTS THE MISSION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE. WHETHER IT COMES FROM INDIVIDUALS, GROUP OF EMPLOYEES, UNIONS, INDIVIDUAL INMATES OR GROUP OF INMATES, OR PERSONS IN GOVERNMENT, VOLUNTEERS OR THE PUBLIC." If he were here, the Commissioner would specify: "OR IDEAS COMING FROM FAMILIES." This CONFERENCE involving family participation is altogether pursuant to the expressed philosophy. And so is the establishment of the Good Shepherd Hospitality House, greeting Families and Friends in Port Cartier, Province of Québec, Canada, of which I'll speak. A BIT OF HISTORY From mid November 1988 to mid December of the same year, 200 Inmates of a 115 year old Montréal Penitentiary were transferred to Port Cartier, a new maximum security institution: bright, modern and spacious. The newcomers, soon to be 240 at the most, were but a fraction of the 1,600 men crowded in the soon-to-be abandoned Pen they were leaving. However, this evolutionary move had a severe drawback: meaning the distance from the great city centers to Port Cartier. That's why the Canadian Correctional Service sought out a group to help them realize a FAMILY VISIT PROGRAM. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd heeded that call and need as it was "right up our alley." For our Mission as far back as year 1641, has always favoured persons or groups grappling with difficulties. FUNCTION Our Congregation, after having selected and bought a comfortable house, right on the sea shore, transformed and equipped it, so as to be able to greet ten guests at a time. Then we searched for a Transportation company that could assume the inter-city trips each week, as well as the local ones, from our Residence to the Pen and vice-versa, as there is no public transportation in our little town. For four years and a half, we organized transportation, after the Officer in charge of Visits at the Establishment would send us the list of the inmate's visiting requests. We then contacted each family, to tell them about the visiting times and where to board the bus: and, if they were new, also of the twelve hour trip and of the two meals on the way. Also of the $20.00 contribution for their transportation, as well as the $5.00 for each full day of room and board at our place. Since May of 1993, the Port Cartier Penitentiary deals with the transportation. The three no-so-young Sisters, live at the Maison Bon Pasteur, Good Shepherd House, so named by the Inmates. Just as any Mother or Nana would do, we find it important to keep the house spotless and comfortable, serving good meals. Referring to the latter, here is an extract from the Inmate's newspaper "The Clarion". "Visitors consider Sister Rejeanne a cooking expert and some connoisseurs go so far as to say that she excels the Cook at Masim's Parisian Restaurant." Thousands of persons have enjoyed the homemade hot meals she joyfully serves. PHILOSOPHY A beautiful environment, comfy beds, video tapes for all ages and tastes, children's toys, craft materials and guidance to help the visitors deal with their surprises, sharing games etc ... These items are all important. But we believe that all such organizations would be meaningless, unless inspired by the CORE VALUES 1 AND 3 of the MISSION STATEMENT OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE. Quote: "WE RESPECT THE DIGNITY OF INDIVIDUALS, THE RIGHTS OF ALL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND THE POTENTIAL FOR HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT." And: "WE BELIEVE THAT OUR STRENGTH AND OUR MAJOR RESOURCE IN ACHIEVING OUR OBJECTIVES IS OUR STAFF AND THAT HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR ENDEAVOR." I hope you'll take time to consult this important document outlining the direction in which the Correctional Service is moving. It is called "THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE MISSION." We, as Psycho-Educators of the Good Shepherd Hospitality House, have committed ourselves to those very humane policies. RESPECT - ACCEPTANCE - LOVE are our keywords: we are ready to greet persons as they are, to listen and help the Family members and friends immersed in suffering, sharing their hopes and joys. Never asking inquisitive questions. Now let's listen to the impressions of three guests who wrote to us as follows: Gloria (fictitious name): After her first visit, Gloria says: "The welcome was hearty. I felt enveloped by your affection, understanding and discretion. John and I need your prayers. Even if we try to give our concerns to God for Him to handle them, we have to learn to assume the deep wounds of our hearts." She was referring to the conversation she had had with a staff member who had found her in tears in our tiny Chapel, where they had prayed and dialogued the Serenity Prayer together. Soledad writes: "I felt super happy and loved as I am, by all of you. When Philip is out, I'll make sure to go and visit you with him." Monia: She is a volunteer who helps an inmate with the publication of his meaningful poems. She came to meet him for the first time and to promise her constant professional help. She writes: "A week ago, I was in your marvelous home. Thank you for the happiness you give to the maximum security Inmates and to those who love and help them." The happiest of our visitors are those who are entitled to the PRIVATE FAMILY VISITING PROGRAM consisting in a four day and night visit - every forty days - in one the three units built on the Penitentiary grounds The goal of the Program is the maintenance of family ties and the preparation of inmates for return to family and social life after his liberation. Is not this the aim of all collaboration between families, volunteers and the staff of the Establishment as well as the Good Shepherd Hospitality House? SPRINGHOUSE, SPRINGHILL, NOVA SCOTIA HISTORY 1984/1985: Dr. and Mrs. Charles Taylor, long-time volunteers in the Atlantic region, initiated a study that involved the inmates and family members of two institutions: Dorchester and Springhill. The study was to determine where the need for a hospitality home was greatest. It was decided to open up such a home in Springhill on a trial basis. A number of people worked hard and long hours in finding a house and setting it up. A small house was rented near the institution and our Congregation, the Sisters of St. Martha, was approached to staff it. The doors opened for the first time in November 1985. The house was completely furnished by donations. Two of our sisters came at that time. I, myself, did not come until 10 months later, September 1986. OCTOBER 1988: OUR OWN PLACE After about a year, when we saw that the house was being used, we started plans for building our own place. We purchased a 10 acre lot nearer the prison (just about a 12 minute walk) and in October 1988, we moved into our new home. We can accommodate up to 14 adults, plus children. Meals are provided if they wish or they can bring their own lunch. REASONS FOR THE HOUSE AND WHO USES IT The house was to provide affordable accommodations for the immediate families (girl friends, wives, common law wives, parents, brothers and sisters and children) of inmates. It was to be a place where they could relax and meet with others in the same situation; a place where they could feel at home and share their feelings, experiences etc., and feel safe. We have videos on family life, etc., which they may watch if they wish, as well as TV, cards and other games. The inmates themselves do not stay at the house nor do they come there to visit, although some do come on ETA's to work at various times. We have had families from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario as well as the USA. We have had as many as 1800+ a year. HOW WE ARE SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY Private donations (money, food, household items etc.) Churches and church groups (showers etc.) Religious Congregations Businesses The Institution itself (We just had our second annual old fashioned breakfast, the idea and work of Gary Mills and his committee. They supply all that is needed including the cooks. The event is held at the local Anglican Parish Hall.) Inmate Committee ($300.00/month for the mortgage) CSC Chaplaincy contribution/grant, this year $22,700.00 The Dorchester Farm (potatoes, vegetables) Annual Yard Sale CHALLENGES One of our greatest challenges is getting volunteers, that is people who would come to the home to help, or relieve the full time staff person, and or help with programming for the family members, if desired. It is difficult to provide regular programming due to the constant changeover in visitors. |
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