Applications

Overview

1. After sentencing applicants may apply to a House in writing.
2. Application packages will be provided to all institutions.
3. On receiving a letter, a referral or a generic application, the House will send an application package that must be filled out by the applicant and his Parole Officer in the institution.
4. The Parole Officer in the institution will fill out the referral section of the application, return the form to the House, and, as appropriate refer the case to the appropriate CSC Office for community assessment.
5. Identified needs must not unduly diminish the house program’s responsibility to the community.
6. Identified needs must be able to be met at the time the application is being considered, within the House program or in the community.
7. Any special needs will be considered in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Acceptance of a client cannot be granted without a formal Community Assessment Process. The Community Assessment or Community Strategy must be initiated by CSC (either the Institutional Parole Officer or a community parole officer in certain circumstances).

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HOW OFFENDERS GET TO THE COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT PROCESS (CRF)

Referrals to the facility may come through the CSC, or offenders may apply directly to Crossroads. Upon receipt of a referral or application, the offender may be interviewed while still in the federal institution and, if he meets the conditions required by Crossroads, his case will be heard by a Community Assessment Team (CAT) which consists of SLST Staff, Crossroads Staff, CSC parole officers, CSC parole supervisor, up to three community members and the Community Liaison Officer from the Toronto Police Services (55 Division). Acceptance or rejection is based on assessing the following criteria:

• risk to the community
• motivation to change
• commitment to program compliance
• risk level for recidivism

If accepted into the program, the ex-offender will be released from the Federal Institution at the same time they would otherwise be released - their term is not shortened by their involvement in a program like Crossroads. What Crossroads does provide is a reintegration program focused on returning the ex-offender to the community with the resources, tools and support needed to become working, contributing members of the community. Crossroads also monitors the ex-offender, and privileges are earned based on their commitment to the Crossroads program, and their ability to meet program obligations and responsibilities.

Risk/needs assessments allow program staff to more accurately determine an applicant’s manageability within the Crossroads Program. This increased level of expertise provides Crossroads staff with the information to consider all applicants for residency based upon the above criteria. If accepted into the program, the ex-offender will be released from the Federal Institution at the same time they would otherwise be released – their term is not shortened by their involvement in a program like Crossroads.

Applicants are not accepted or denied until a Community Strategy (CS) has been requested and completed. Whether an offender is applying for day parole accommodations, an Unescorted Temporary Absence, statutory release or full parole with residency, a CS must be completed. The Correctional Service of Canada guidelines for a Community Strategy state that it is used to “indicate the supervision strategy envisioned at the time of the offender's release.” Once the institutional parole officer requests a CS on the offender’s behalf, the parole office that will have jurisdiction over the offender in the community completes the CS with the help of the Community Assessment Team (CAT).

Whether accepted or denied, the offender is notified by both the CRF and the parole office. If accepted, the offender may still have institutional interviews with a CRF representative and all applicants are encouraged to keep the CRF updated on progress toward their correctional plan. Community support for the applicants may be contacted, with the offender’s permission, to ensure their continued support.

Ideally, by the time an offender reaches the CRF, he has had numerous contacts with the CRF and the CRF is aware of his risks/needs prior to his release. The CRF anticipates the majority of releases and based on file information prepares for supervision strategies in the community. When the client arrives, he will then work on a Mutually Agreed Plan with his Case Manager that is consistent with his Correctional Plan and assists in any areas the client and Case Manager agree should be addressed in order to ensure a successful conditional release.

In response to a Community Assessment, the Community Assessment Team will advise the House Director via a consensual process:

1. whether or not accepting an applicant into a house is an assumable risk for the community;
2. in cases where clarification is sought by the House Director, whether or not an applicant meets the community criteria for residency in the house;
3. on recommendations for conditions of acceptance.

NOTE: The Director of the house has the ultimate right of refusal and the Society reserves the ultimate right to accept residents.

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Institutional Interviews

The society implements a prison visiting program to facilitate the optimal use of its residential facilities in assisting offenders and ex-offenders with their reintegration into the community. House Directors develop penitentiary visiting schedules to facilitate the screening, acceptance and release of offenders to the Society Houses. This provides for contact with all Federal Institutions in Ontario, including Keele C.C.C. and the Detention Centre in Toronto, to review and interview persons who are interested in residing in the Society House. Discussions with the National Parole Board and Board representatives may also occur. A House Director may appear at an individual’s parole hearing. Consultations with case management teams may occur during these visits.

The interview process will encompass the following:

1. Outline the expectations of the house;
2. Review the needs of the client, his individual program and any special conditions that apply and
3. Advise the client of the objectives of the house program and of his expected participation.

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