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Private Home Placement Program

By Djamila Amellal, Communications Officer, Communications and Citizen Engagement Sector
Photos: Bill Rankin

Through a unique three-way partnership, a special initiative - the Private Home Placement (PHP) Program - was developed in 1998-1999 to meet the needs of female day parolees. Today, the program gives these women, who are preparing to reintegrate into the community, the chance to live in a healthy environment that fosters behavioural improvement and provides structure and support - vital ingredients for the safe and successful reintegration of offenders.

"The program is a joint initiative between the Edmonton and Northern Alberta District Parole office (ENADP), Edmonton Institution for Women (EIFW) and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton (EFSE)," says Bill Green, one of the program's pioneers and currently director of the Toronto East Area Parole Office. "In the past, we noted that existing housing options did not suit certain federal female parolees in Edmonton. They needed an alternative. The PHP Program was created to provide additional structure and support to female offenders in a family context."

Innovative Program Meets Special Needs
The purpose of the PHP Program is to match private families with female offenders from the EIFW who are preparing for day parole in the community. The women are placed in private homes in Edmonton and surrounding areas, and they benefit from personalized guidance and support from the host family. "Some female offenders have already tried halfway houses and did not succeed," says Bill Green. "They need more structure and individual support. To succeed, these women need a relationship of trust, within the limits specified in their parole plan."

According to Melanie Shepard, PHP Coordinator at the EFSE, "Some female offenders are afraid to live in halfway houses with others who have problems such as substance abuse. In a private home, the women can deal with just one person, which is not the case in a halfway house. These women really function better in a private home."

Teamwork: the Key to Success
According to Bob Stewart, Area Supervisor at the Edmonton Parole Office, "The liaison team at the heart of this program currently consists of three individuals: Kelly Hartle, EIFW Coordinator, Melanie Shepard and myself. It is incredible how much work we do together. It requires a listening ear, thought, analysis, meetings and discussions, verifications, advertising, and above all, a lot of coordination and consultation."

The District Office, represented by Bob Stewart, identifies the community housing needs of female offenders, conducts community assessments of potential accommodation providers, participates in orientation sessions, supervises female parolees, and maintains and finances the PHP contract with EFSE. The role of EIFW, represented by Kelly Hartle, is to match female offenders with potential host families after a strict screening process takes place based on CSC's expectations. The EFSE is responsible for recruiting host families, arranging home visits, and training and supervising the selected families. All this becomes part of a contract signed with the parole office.

"I usually place ads in the Edmonton Examiner or the Sun, but nowadays accommodation providers ask for an application because they heard about the program by word of mouth."

"I can easily say that the community's reaction is positive. I receive 18 to 25 phone calls per ad placed. So, I send out the information kit and ask for three references. After consulting the liaison team, I meet with the individual in their home to assess the premises and ask the necessary questions. If the team is satisfied, I arrange training sessions that include a visit to the institution. The matching phase is next, which is very important because it takes into consideration the offenders' and providers' personalities and preferences, and the providers' past experience. The community assessment is then conducted to determine whether a match is appropriate. After the liaison team is consulted, the match is either confirmed or rejected."

Since the National Parole Board must first approve the placement request, the team prepares to defend the case at the offender's parole hearing. Once the request is approved, the EFSE signs a contract with the host family, who picks up the offender from the institution on the day of her release.

"The EFSE administers the program," says Bob Stewart. "CSC pays for the administrative management and for the beds. At present, we have made two placements, eight offenders have been matched and are awaiting their release, and three others are waiting to be matched."

Parole Officers' Contribution
"The contribution of parole officers (PO) is vital to the success of the program," says Bill Green. "They provide support to host families and offenders while respecting the privacy of the home."

POs work in the community together with the EFSE to support all PFP cases. "Yes, I am quite busy," says Audra Andrews, PO, Women's Unit, Edmonton Parole Office. "I supervise female offenders in halfway houses, those on statutory release in the community and those in the PHP Program. I conduct community assessments of accommodation providers and work in close contact with Melanie. I meet with the provider every week and speak with him/her every day. I also meet the host family and the offender during the first days in the community."

The CSC/Community Partnership: A Rewarding Strategy
If you ask Barbara Belcourt who, like other participants, has been hosting female offenders at her home for years, what motivates her to participate in the PHP Program, she will tell you, "My motivation lies in the hope that I can make a difference in these women's lives. Previously, I was a mentor to a female offender at the EIFW. I had no idea what would happen when they asked me if I wanted to take part in the PHP Program in 1999. I agreed to do it and had all the information I needed to get ready. The match was then made. It was my first. She was 40 years old and was far away from home. We had a good relationship. Her life was quite structured and she worked. She stayed for eight months and asked for a three month extension, which the NPB granted her. Her kids came here and I helped them find a place to stay. I missed her when she left. Today we are friends and I will always help her." She goes on to say, "It was quite something and I learned a lot. I did not really know how to look after an offender. I learned about limits and living space, expectations, the chance of suicide, and many other things."

The program's success is also evident in the testimonials of female offenders who took part in the PHP Program. "It is a golden opportunity," says a woman who successfully completed her parole and now lives in the community on statutory release. "The program did wonders for me at a time when I was most in need. Barbara was incredibly supportive. She gave me hope when I thought I had none left. She helped me reach my short-term goals and focus on the long-term ones. I am very grateful to her."

Pride at the End of the Day
"The original idea for the PHP Program belongs to this office and the EFSE," says Bob Stewart, beaming with pride. "The idea grew from a three-year pilot project into a program that works very well. We have succeeded."

Looking back on the road already travelled, Bill Green adds, "I am very proud of this accomplishment. I think of all the work that has been done by certain people at the EIFW, the parole office and EFSE. The small team worked tirelessly to make this initiative available to offenders and the community. We saw women who had endured many disappointments finally succeed in the program and in life. The first PHP placement was very successful and the woman now lives happily in the community."

Social Reintegration at Its Best
The PHP Program is an effective and innovative program that facilitates the reintegration of female offenders by allowing them to develop a sense of belonging in the community, relearn basic skills and how to interact with community members. During their stay with the host family, parolees experience everyday life and are exposed to a good role model in their life - the accommodation provider. "Offenders know that this program is an excellent opportunity. We tell the hosts that their participation in the PHP Program will change their life because their role is not limited solely to providing a room. They allow offenders to adjust to a family setting and to develop a relationship of trust and respect - the key to their success," says Bill Green.

CSC demonstrates its commitment to the safe and successful reintegration of offenders through this innovative program and, at the same time, fulfills one of its corporate objectives. One thing is certain, the PHP Program, born of the effort of a small team, helps the Edmonton Parole Office rise to its challenges in the community on a daily basis.