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WHAT?
The Mission is pursued through three
key components of the LifeLine concept:
LifeLine is a correctional concept involving convicted, but
paroled, men and women serving life sentences who have been
successfully reintegrated into the community for at least
five years. They return to an institution where they help
develop programmes for lifers; help motivate offenders; help
offenders reintegrate; and contribute to public safety.
The Mission of LifeLine is to provide, through the In-Reach
component and community endeavours, an opportunity to motivate
inmates and to marshal resources to achieve successful, supervised,
gradual reintegration into the community.
1. The In-Reach Programme
Successful lifers, supported by a sponsoring, voluntary community-based
agency, return to institutions to work with other inmate lifers
- to serve as motivators, mentors and mediators.
2. Community Resources
Once released on parole, a lifer must reintegrate into a community
and rebuild relationships that have changed dramatically.
To succeed, parolees need community resources, such as peer
support, which help them find and keep a job, and learn how
to live independently in a "new" world. St. Leonard's
House Windsor operates the only dedicated residential facility
for newly paroled lifers. In other communities, special facilities
geared to inmates with determinate sentences provide needed
support and residential services.
3. Public Awareness
In-Reach Workers play a significant role in raising public
awareness of effective, humane corrections and the situation
facing lifers. They meet with community groups, organizations
and other interested parties, including the media and legislative
committees, to talk about their experiences and "lessons
learned". They also put significant emphasis on "preventive
work': particularly with youth.
Success of the In-Reach Worker depends on collaboration with
community-based voluntary agencies that engage them, through
a contract with the Correctional Service of Canada CCSC, and
provide guidance and support to the In-Reach Workers.
WHY?
Lifers as Resources, Successes and
Symbols
Canada abandoned capital punishment in 1964 and commuted all
death sentences to life imprisonment.
In 1976 the death penalty was removed from the Criminal Code
of Canada and replaced by life imprisonment with no consideration
of parole for 10 to 25 years. Thus, Canada was faced with
a growing number of lifers being incarcerated for much longer
periods.
Lifers as Resources Lifers traditionally bring a degree of
stability to institutions due to their interest in maintaining
a peaceful environment. Also, because of their experience
and knowledge of the correctional scene, they can contribute
towards the initiation and implementation of programmes.
Lifers as Successes Lifers have committed the ultimate offence
against society, but the vast majority are not calculating,
experienced criminals. While serial killers and assassins
exist, they are not the typical lifer. Most murder victims
are usually a relative or close acquaintance. Most frequently,
lifers' crimes are triggered by circumstance, substance abuse,
emotional trauma, or a combination of these. They are among
the most likely to succeed on parole.
Lifers as Symbols Lifers are often portrayed as high-profile
offenders that are sensationalized because of the seriousness
of their crime. However, the fact that most lifers return
to their communities as law-abiding citizens, demonstrates
the effectiveness of the partnership among motivated offenders,
involved staff and supportive citizens in preparing offenders
for responsible citizenship.
WHO?
LifeLine is an innovative service that engages convicted,
but paroled, offenders to return to the institution and contribute
to programme development, motivation and reintegration of lifers,
and ultimately, public safety.
Today, about 4300 offenders are serving life sentences. Of
this number, one-third are under parole supervision in the
community for the rest of their lives, while the remaining
two-thirds are serving their sentence in an institution.
The inmate population of life sentenced and indeterminate
male offenders has increased by 38% since 1990. These offenders
make up 21% of all inmates.
LifeLine was developed by a tripartite alliance of the Correctional
Service of Canada, the National Parole Board and community
agencies. A planning grant from the Donner Foundation in 1990
initiated a collaborative partnership by funding a task force
with representatives from both the Federal Government and
from non-profit agencies to define the concept. The first
In-Reach Worker, the late Tom French, entered Millhaven Maximum-Security
institution as a community-based worker in 1991. "A big
man both physically and in heart and spirit, he set a pattern
for others to emulate". He described his role as keeping
lifers "...alive, sane and out of trouble". From
the first contact, he went on to help lifers plan and carry
out a programme that offered them hope and a chance to successfully
return to society.
In 1998, LifeLine developed a blueprint for implementing this
programme nationally. In August of the same year, the American
Correctional Association recognized LifeLine as a "programme
of excellence': In October, 2002 LifeLine received the "offender
management/treatment and reintegration award" from the
lnternational Corrections and Prisons Association for the
advancement of professional corrections.
The National Resource Group, which includes the Chair of the
NPB and the Assistant Commissioner, Community Engagement of
the CSC, promotes and oversees the implementation of the LifeLine
concept. This group continues to reflect the shared interests
of the CSC, NPB, community agencies and In-Reach Workers,
which have shaped the LifeLine concept. However, the key to
success is the In-Reach Worker. Today, there are more than
25 In-Reach Workers, including women and Aboriginals, making
the service available to every lifer.
The In-Reach Worker is a living example that a lifer, with
help from concerned staff and supportive citizens, cannot
only survive, but succeed. The worker is evidence that in
the often-isolated world of the lifer, there is someone who
cares. The In-Reach Worker offers a message to correctional
staff and society. Here is living proof that "rehabilitation':
"reintegration': and even "redemption" work...
perhaps more than we realize.
WHERE AND WHEN?
In-Reach Workers and their sponsoring community-based voluntary
agencies can be found across Canada.
In-Reach Workers are provided and funded by the CSC on a formula
of no more than one In-Reach Worker to 125 lifers.
LifeLine, like any successful initiative in corrections, requires
an effective working relationship between motivated offenders,
involved staff and supportive citizens. Together these components
forge a powerful, progressive partnership.
The following are some of the community-based agencies sponsoring
In-Reach Workers:
St. Leonard's Society, Nova Scotia
John Howard Society, Moncton
Maison St. Leonard's House, Montreal
St. Leonard's Society, Windsor
Elizabeth Fry Society, Kingston
Elizabeth Fry Society, Montreal
John Howard Society, Manitoba
John Howard Society, Saskatchewan
Community Justice Ministries, Alberta
L.l.N.C. (Long-term Inmates Now in the Community), British
Columbia
LifeLine is a concept, not a corporation. Thus it can be replicated
or refined in other countries.
Anyone wishing further information, especially regarding implementing
LifeLine should contact:
Jim Murphy,
Correctional Service of Canada,
(613) 992-8374, FAX (613) 947-7320
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