One of the recent comments published on ODN drew my attention.

Stephanie Seaton February 9th

Correction: Re your statement of; “So most of those in cells are there for 69 days before hitting the street again in their home town.”

That should read “…. hitting the street again in YOUR home town.”

 

ODN asked BC Corrections Branch for a response –

What are the procedures for releasing a person from custody of a provincial jail? Are they left with a bag outside or taken to a nearby centre for transportation? What follow up is given to them as it seems that many inmates are not happy with the service delivered? How can a community be assured that inmates are released at court (another jurisdiction), transported to a Greyhound location with a ticket to their home community or told that a family member is picking them up, etc.?

Response from BC Corrections Branch:

• When an individual is released from BC Corrections custody, there are specific rules and procedures that are followed.
• BC Corrections assists inmates with re-integration to the community, including planning for appropriate transportation upon release.
• It is important to note that, in most cases, inmates are not from the area of the correctional centre and want to return to their home communities.
• Typically, inmates receive a voucher or ticket for bus transportation to their home community. Corrections staff will accompany inmates to transportation hubs for transport back to their home communities. Community resources (drug and alcohol treatment services, as well as family and friends) also frequently facilitate transportation for inmates upon release.
• BC Corrections has programs that are specific to the release planning of inmates such as the Integrated Offender Management Program (IOM) and IOM Homelessness Intervention Project (HIP) for the chronically homeless. These programs are designed to create an environment where custody and probation staff work collaboratively with inmates to develop a comprehensive and integrated case management plan in the community.
• Each correctional centre also has a process to educate inmates on how to apply for financial assistance through the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation.
• For inmates with mental health needs, when the inmate’s date of discharge is known in advance our mental health liaison officers will work with them to discuss their release and how to access support in the community.
• When an inmate who takes medication is scheduled to leave the care and supervision of a BC Correctional Centre, health care staff take precautions to ensure the inmate is informed about the medications they are – or ought to be – taking, in advance of an inmate’s return to the community.  As well, the inmate may be supplied with up to two weeks of medication to ensure they have enough time to seek medical support in their community.
• If a health care professional believes an inmate is suffering from an acute or dangerous illness at the time of discharge, the correctional centre must be reasonably satisfied that a treatment plan is in place in the community. In addition, correctional staff may notify police of the release of an inmate identified as being at risk of harm to themselves or others at the time of release.
• In addition, BC Corrections is involved with 50 partnership programs designed to assist inmates on their transition to life outside of a correctional facility.