Careers - Diversity @ Work

Contact Us

Paul Jamieson

Dedicated to helping others

Paul Jamieson says he can't remember a time when he wasn't interested in helping people in trouble. "Even when I was growing up," he says, "I always knew I wanted to be a guidance counsellor in school or possibly somewhere in the justice system."

Though a tragic diving accident in 1974 cost him the use of his arms and legs, Paul refused to give up. "After the accident, I had to learn how to function in the workplace," he says. "Things like getting to work, using the washrooms, getting out for lunch-all of the things that other people take for granted-I had to master." But it never occurred to Paul that he wouldn't eventually succeed.

Initially, he opted to follow the advice of rehabilitation counsellors, going to work with various disability groups. The experience, he says today, was invaluable. "I was able to help other people with disabilities while also helping myself." In fact, he continues that helping process today as the Atlantic region representative for National Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities within the CSC.

Still, as much as that period of his life helped him and, he hopes, benefited others, the desire to reach out to people in trouble had not left him. So in 1984, Paul made the big step, applying for a position with the Correctional Service of Canada in Halifax. It's decision he has never regretted. "It was time and I was ready," he says simply.

Today, as a parole officer, Paul takes on a full workload, working with some 20 to 25 parolees at a time. Depending on the terms of their paroles, and how well they're doing, Paul says he'll meet them once a week, once every two weeks or even less. "If someone's really doing well, I might even see them just once every two months."

About half the time he'll meet with parolees at their home, in a restaurant or at their place of work. On other occasions, he'll meet them at his office. "We'll meet for as little as 15 minutes or up to an hour," says Paul, "again depending on how well the parolee is doing. "The time of the meeting can bet set up an hour ahead of time or up to a week in advance so the parolee doesn't have time to prepare stock answers."

The job requires both patience and listening skills, says Paul. "In a sense, you have to get inside their head. It's especially important to remember that the parolee has come from a place where he's been kept against his will. During the time he's been in prison, he's been told what to do and when to do it. He's had absolutely no independence. Not surprisingly, when he comes out, he may have an 'edge on' against authority."

That's why you have to be willing to accept small steps of progress, says Paul. And you have to recognize that you can't get through to everyone. "I'm satisfied when I've reached someone, when I think they're getting the message. That's all I want, that's all I can expect."

Then again, that's all he's wanted or expected since he was a child, eager and willing to help people in trouble.