Hello,

I am gonna sound really stupied but what is John Howard society? I know i must sound really stupied and well i am sorry for that just new to the whole prision thing.

they are a liason office between the outside world and inside jails and prisons. they have buses that take visitors to the jails (small fee), they offer counselling programs, they help find residences, etc. They are a huge benefit and its too bad they are taken for granted by many people. They really need some donations to help keep them afloat.

PS. No question is stupid!!!!

thanks for the info

http://www.johnhoward.ca/directory/jhsprog.htm

Hi,

I used to work for JHS - if there are specific questions you have feel free to pm me and I will see if I can help.

Elen

There's one in Hamilton and Toronto that I know of.

They also have half-way houses... there's some in Alberta too... I know there's 2 in Edmonton for sure...

The Canada forum is a long way from my normal stomping ground, but a friend recommended that I look at the John Howard Society, as we don't have anything like that down here (not as far as I'm aware, anyway). I have visited the website, and it really looks great, but the actuality may not live up to the printed word. So, is it as good as it sounds?

It would really be nice to know that someone is doing something right, somewhere in the world. (wistful sigh)


Kay

I think it depends on the area and the amount of people who look for services.
For example, in my city I couldn't get any response from our chapter, but I found a lot of help from the chapter closest to most of our federal prisons.
One thing I really wanted was an in person support group, the woman who I've been in contact with said that some people had discussed it but there weren't enough friends and family who were looking for the same thing.
Now my brother is in a far away place and I contacted the JHS in that area, they have been super helpful. I don't know if it's happened yet but they said since I couldn't visit they would be able to get someone in to visit with him and help him keep some 'outside' connection. Also send him some info (I assume on programs they offer etc).
I think they are the biggest if not the only group who really works hard here to help prevent people from going back in, and making it successfully on the outs.
I think it goes to supply and demand, if lots of people want the support the JHS can give it, but if the families and the inamtes don't want it then there is less they can do.
One thing I have wondered (elenwe), are the people at the JHS paid or volunteers or a mix?

Thanks for the info. It sounds like it may truly be an effective group, which is something that is desperately needed in this state. I think I will get in contact with them.

Kay

JHS and their sister group, Elizabeth Fry Society, are non profit service organizations specifically for offenders. They have a long history of assisting guys on release with everything from basic necessities to offering supervision in locations all over Canada. They are a great resource and I notice that each office tends to focus on different areas (Edmonton has some great employment/upgrading programs for example). A guy/girl does not need a referral to drop in anytime, are helpful in directing people towards other community resources and can make those first few days/weeks out much easier. And no, I never worked for them (just made some friends that do lol).