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Let's Talk

VOL. 31, NO. 3

Chaplaincy and Parole

Comrades in Crises, Partners in Success

BY Lisa Bayne, Programs Manager, Vancouver Parole

Photos courtesy of Lisa Bayne

Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) chaplains and parole officers approach corrections from different perspectives but they share the same goal: the safe and effective reintegration of offenders into the community. In their daily activities, Chaplain Leon Remus and Parole Officer Lak Sehmbi demonstrate what it takes to help these offenders succeed.

Offering Spiritual Support

Chaplain Leon Remus
Chaplain Leon Remus is constantly trying to build relationships with co-workers, offenders, and community partners.

A day in the life of Chaplain Leon Remus is varied, hectic and often spent on the road. The chaplain is frequently seen flying in and out of the office en route to meetings, always offering an encouraging “Hello . . . how’s it going?” as he runs by, usually with an offender in tow. Chaplain Remus is responsible for offering spiritual support as well as various physical supports for offenders in seven institutions, the community, and ten community residential facilities. When it comes to helping offenders make positive changes in their lives, the chaplain’s day may be long but his energy and enthusiasm are boundless.

Chaplain Remus is passionate about his work because he believes that God has placed him where he is meant to be. He appreciates the support of his co-workers in community corrections, including Regional Chaplain Gerry Ayotte and other institutional chaplains.

One example of Chaplain Remus’ success is the progress he made with an offender named Cedric, who was referred to him by a psychologist. Cedric was somewhat hesitant to speak with the chaplain; however, Chaplain Remus spent a lot of time with him and was able to successfully walk him to his warrant expiry date (WED) two and a half years later. Currently, the chaplain is providing support to Cedric’s brother, who is incarcerated in one of CSC’s institutions.  To help Cedric know that he is not alone, the chaplain continues to offer support.

A Day in the Life

Chaplain Remus’ day is never boring. Flexibility is essential because his schedule often changes by the hour. He is constantly trying to build relationships with co-workers, offenders, and community partners. In effect, he builds bridges in the community because he feels strongly that everyone is part of the community. “The healthier the individuals are in the community, the healthier that community is as a whole,” he says.

Challenges

Chaplain Remus is well aware of the challenges facing offenders in the Pacific Region. “Many are ill-prepared to live in the community. They have lived their lives in separate communities; some are institutionalized and often they feel ostracized. Many feel the urge to go back to institutional life because it is all they have ever known.  “The biggest challenge is when they stop believing in themselves,” he comments. He is there to help when offenders make the decision  to change the way they approach their lives.

“We are more alike than different” is his personal motto when he deals with an offender’s negative behaviour. “They have a chance for positive change, and there is always hope. I am an eternal optimist, which helps me search out the good in people.”

Supervision in Vancouver

Lak Sehmbi
Lak Sehmbi loves the flexibility, creativity and innovation that go into working with offenders.

Lak Sehmbi took an interest in risk assessment while enrolled in criminology and psychology at Simon Fraser University, and later chose a field practice at New Westminster Area Parole. Eight years later, Sehmbi, now a community parole officer, continues to be a valued member of Vancouver Area Community Corrections. She loves the flexibility, creativity and innovation that go into working with offenders.

Housing and Health

Sehmbi says that one continuing problem for offenders is Vancouver’s extremely high cost of living, which results in severe shortages of affordable and appropriate housing. “I see Vancouver-based offenders with good family support and even they struggle with living expenses. People who come from other parts of Canada may not know just how costly it is until they get here.”

“Managing diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C, and working with an aging population also has challenges,” she says. “There are limited bed spaces for offenders at community residential facilities, and we do not have a lot of resources to help them. Also, offenders between 60 and 64 years old find it very difficult to obtain jobs, or they are disabled but not yet able to retire. Disability pensions are also extremely difficult to obtain.”

Sehmbi addresses those challenges by forming exceptional relationships with partners and non-profit societies. Also, she works closely with community police, and organizes the annual Police/Parole Workshop as well as an annual police/parole/Crown contact event. She understands that the police and other partners are a vital resource in ensuring the safe reintegration of offenders.

Sehmbi sees offenders facing other serious challenges in the community. She describes a typical cycle: “Drug use and its related instability, coupled with poor coping skills and negative associations, make it hard to succeed.” She says that because offenders are often alone, they go back to what they know—drug abuse.

A Typical Day?

“There is no such thing as a typical day in the life of a parole officer,” she adds, “because every day is different. You start with your voicemail in the morning and after that you have to intervene in situations as you see fit. We are constantly juggling our schedules to address emerging issues on our caseload.”

From Chaplaincy to Parole Supervision

Ask Chaplain Leon Remus to name his major supporters and he quickly points to his co-workers at the parole office. If you ask Lak Sehmbi the same question, she is quick to mention how support from Chaplain Remus and others is crucial for success. Community corrections staff members know that they are not alone in their work, and they value and support each others’ contributions. They call upon one another in times of crisis and in times of success.

Leon Remus and Lak Sehmbi are two shining examples of how good support, structure and community partnerships can help offenders live law-abiding lifestyles and successfully reach warrant expiry, thus making the community safer for all. ♦

 

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