Let's Talk

A Simple Plan

BY Bill Rankin, Communications Officer, Communications and Citizen Engagement Sector

Photo: Bill Rankin

For many newly released inmates, the first few weeks of freedom can be the most vulnerable period for a relapse into criminal behaviour. However, with proper preparation and planning for outside realities, offenders increase their chances of succeeding. The goal of the Pre-Release Program, a pilot project in several institutions, including Kingston Penitentiary (KP), is to encourage offenders to make serious plans so they are prepared to function in normal society once they are released. Recently, a Let’s Talk writer visited KP to see how a dedicated and innovative volunteer – Grant Mitchell – runs the program.

“Hey, I understand you’re getting out soon,” says the middle-aged man in the crisp white shirt and sneakers, a clipboard under his arm.

The inmate, Robert, is a big fellow, well over six feet. He eyes the man with an expression of uncertainty, as if to say, “Who is this guy?”

The middle-aged man smiles with disarming friendliness. “Where are you from?”

“T’ronto,” Robert replies in a low voice.

“Toronto, eh? I know Toronto. Spent a lot of time there myself when I was younger. Why don’t we have a seat here and we’ll chat.” He motions to a chair beside a small table in a quiet room adjacent to one of the Kingston Penitentiary (KP) ranges. Robert hesitates, then pulls the chair back and stretches his large frame over it, regarding the man with a mixture of scepticism and curiosity.

“I’m Grant Mitchell, the ‘pre-release guy’,” says the middle-aged man with a smile and holds out his hand. Robert slowly extends his heavily inked arm. Mitchell grasps the calloused mitt and shakes it warmly, then offers a business card.

“I’m a volunteer, says Mitchell, “and I’m here to help guys plan for when they get out — help them find a job, for instance.” He taps his clipboard with a pen. “I have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind. These questions will get you thinking so you can cover all the bases before you are out on the street. Have you thought about what you’re going to do when you leave here?”

“Uh, well yeah, some,” is the guarded reply.

“Great!” Mitchell exclaims. “Then bear with me if you know some of the answers already.” His eyes twinkle and he launches into a well-rehearsed delivery: a mixture of light-hearted banter, serious questions and bits of advice.

“What kind of work have you done in the past? Have your family or friends offered to help you find work?” He sounds like either a professional salesman or a radio host (he’s been both in past careers) and Robert starts to visibly relax. He tips back the peak of his baseball cap to get a better look at Mitchell and focuses on what the older man is saying. This is not lost on Mitchell. He may not have Robert’s complete confidence yet, but soon the offender will see that Mitchell is trying to help him.

Another Chance at Life

And there is a good possibility that Robert will need help. Within the next 10 weeks he will be released from KP after being incarcerated — his time and movements strictly controlled — for the last eight years. He’s been in and out of institutions before, but this has been his longest stretch and he’s now pushing 40 — no longer a young man with a world of opportunities before him.

As both the “pre-release guy” and citizens’ advisory committee member for Canada’s oldest penitentiary, Mitchell is a highly valued, appointed volunteer who wants to see ex-inmates succeed and safely reintegrate into the outside world. He knows that the keys to success include housing, contacts in the community and, of course, a steady job — things that many offenders have never had. And that’s where Mitchell and other volunteers in the program can help.

“I tell the inmate right off the bat that I’m not interested in him from a legal standpoint,” he explains. “I tell them I’m only interested in where he is going and how he plans to support himself.

“We started the Pre-Release Program as a pilot back in 2005. A lot of CSC employees, including former KP Warden Monty Bourke, Unit Manager Marg Rhodes, Assistant Warden Robert Clark, volunteer Sharon Mitchell and many others helped design it. So far, it’s working very well.”

Breaking Down the Barriers

“Fifty percent of the guys who walk in here think they know it all and at first they are doubtful about what I have to offer. I have to work hard to break down the barriers and gain their trust. I use my business skills — speaking ability, controlling a conversation, salesmanship, and being able to read and understand people — to get through to them.

“I give inmates as much information as they can handle so when they walk out of here they know their options and they have a plan. I encourage them to think about all the essentials: transportation, reading a city map, finding a place to live, education, a job. You can tell it’s not easy for them at first. Many of them are alone and without support. Once they are released, they will have to think for themselves.”

The proper paperwork is essential outside an institution but many inmates have lost theirs over the course of time or never had it in the first place. If these details are taken care of before release, inmates have a better chance of succeeding.

“I try to help them with their money, as well,” says Mitchell. “Typically, they leave here without very much. They need to be thrifty if they are going to survive. I give them a sheet called Pre-Release Tips. Often they head for the Kingston bus station and right next door is a Tim Horton’s. They can get the soup, a roll and a doughnut with a cup of coffee deal before they board the bus. ‘It’ll cost you $3.82,’ I tell them. Little tips like that help them save.”

Skills and Schooling

But they’ll need more than just a full stomach if they are to make their way in the world. Mitchell has done hours of thorough research to help provide offenders who lack education and job skills — and that’s most of them — with the contacts they’ll need in the urban centres.

“I often point them to an organization in Toronto called the Universal Workers Union’s Lifelong Learning Centre. It offers training in an array of construction work: laying sewer pipe, concrete forming, house framing and many more skills. They not only acquire a sub-trade, but they also pay only $400 for the course. And when they finish, they can start out at $16 per hour on a job site and within a year they are making $24 per hour. That’s real money!”

Beyond job assistance, Mitchell educates offenders about tenants’ rights, birth certificate applications and social services, anything that can keep these men afloat while they adjust to life outside the institution.

“I’m always on the lookout for information that is going to help these guys. And when they come in here with a problem, I tell them that I will try to solve it today. In my position, I have the luxury of time to do that.”

Motivation to Help Others

Why does a respected businessman devote hundreds of hours to this effort when he could be investing the time in his own business? What is the payoff for this hard working and thoughtful man? And why does he want to help this segment of the population in particular, a group that many people would rather ignore?

“At 8:30 in the morning, I change from Grant Mitchell, salesman and administrator, to a very different role in here. My job is to help these men understand that it is time to get on with their lives, to take a new role and to show them that if they make an effort, there are opportunities available. I get a lot of gratification from knowing that I’ve helped some of these guys and contributed to making our communities safer.”

Information and Sound Advice

Inmate Robert leaves after talking with Mitchell for over half an hour. This is their first encounter, but before Robert is released he will probably be back to see the pre-release guy again. Mitchell will be ready for him with more helpful information and advice that will help him on his way and just might keep him out of trouble with the law.

As they leave the interview room, another inmate hails Mitchell as he passes by. “I’m getting out in a year, man. Don’t forget me!” Mitchell smiles, nods and gives him a thumbs up. You can bet that Grant Mitchell won’t forget anybody. ♦