Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS

ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES

Healing and Reintegration of Offenders

Program name:

Alternatives to Violence

Organization:

Baffin Correction Centre

Location:

Iqaluit, Nunavut

Target Group:

Incarcerated offenders – Male.

Contact Name:

Alex Volski

Phone:

N/A

Email:

asolski@gov.nu.ca

Website:

N/A

Program Overview
History:

The program was founded in 1999.

Program Description
Goals & Objectives:

To assist inmates in correctional institutions in managing their anger in more positive and socially acceptable ways; and to provide Indigenous offenders with the opportunity to participate in programs that use cultural approaches to minimize their risk to reoffend.

Traditional/Indigenous ways:

The program integrates Inuit culture by utilizing Inuit delivery staff, healing therapy and cultural references.

Components of program:

The program is a multi-faceted intervention consisting of a number of separate program modules that address issues related to violence, grief and loss, alcohol and substance abuse, and sex offending. Open group discussions use a therapeutic approach. It is a cognitive behaviour therapeutic approach that takes place in a group setting. Successful completion of the program may lead to release to a halfway house or to transitional placement.

Services/How they work:

Services are provided on site at the facility.

Funding:

Funding is provided by the Correctional Service of Canada.

Relationships and Stakeholders
Involvement of Target Groups:

N/A

Partners:

N/A

Other relationships:

N/A

Details of Program Evaluation
Evaluation:

No evaluation has been completed.

Highlights of Evaluation Findings:

N/A

Program Outcomes
Measures of Success:

Success is measured against recidivism rates of clients who have gone through the program.

Achievements:

Inmates succeed in changing their behaviours and becoming able to channel their anger in positive ways.

Challenges:

The course is taught only in English, which limits the amount of outreach that can be done with Indigenous clients who cannot speak English well or at all. There is limited space available for the number of inmates participating in program.

Things to Know to Replicate
Replication Advice:

The program is considered replicable. The program needs to be delivered by a full-time person; because it increases stability in program delivery.

Resources:

Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.