Nanaimo Region John Howard Society

Volunteer Information

Nanaimo Region John Howard Society

By Cheryl Dodge September 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this information is to provide the history of John Howard, the formation of the Canadian John Howard Societies and of the Nanaimo Region John Howard Society (NRJHS.)

Table of Contents

Biography of John Howard:...... 1

History of John Howard Societies in Canada:...... 2

Nanaimo Region John Howard Society:...... 4

Nanaimo Region John Howard Society

Volunteer Information

September 2015

Biography of John Howard 1726 - 1790

John Howard merits the accolade of being the father of prison reform. At the age of 40, curious to see the effects of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, he set out for Spain regardless of the fact that England and France were engaged in the Seven Years War. The French captured the ship in which Howard took passage and he was imprisoned. It would be two months before an exchange of prisoners obtained his release.

In 1773, John Howard was appointed as High Sheriff of Bedfordshire. He travelled thousands of milesthroughout Great Britain and to the continent, including Moscow and Constantinople visiting prisons. It was in the Crimea that he died in 1790, having contracted typhus. His grave is there at Kherson. He had given his personal fortune, his health and his safety to the cause of prison reform.

Prisons were 'holding tanks' where the majority of persons were held, either for debt or to await trial. Prisons were damp, dark and evil. Airless and unsanitary, they bred contagion and disease. Typhus and small pox were rampant. There was little or no government funding. Prisons were operated for financial gain - an opportunity for extortion, which most gaolers exploited, to the full. Prisoners paid for the privilege of walking unchained. Even if declared not guilty by the court, a prisoner would not be released until the fee for food and lodging had been paid.

It was one of Howard's recommendations that 'gaolers' be made salaried officials paid by the county. This suggests a policy whereby the operation of prisons should be a charge on the public purse and not a charge on the imprisoned - a policy without public support in Howard's day. Not surprisingly, those who suffered imprisonment came chiefly from the poor and labouring class. Once imprisoned, one was fortunate to escape.

John Howard advocated for clean, healthy accommodation with the provision of adequate clothing and linen; segregation of prisoners according to sex, age and nature of offence; proper health care: these were his priorities. Finally, he was a firm believer in the work ethic and the need for prisoners to be provided with work in order that the sin of idleness could be combatted.

History of John Howard Societies in Canada

The Canadian history of the John Howard Society began in 1867 with a group of church workers seeking to bring spiritual help to prisoners in the Toronto jail. In 1874, this small group became known as the "Prisoners Aid Association of Toronto." In 1929, a citizens' group reactivated their cause as the "Citizens Service Association" - an organization of volunteers - set itself the task of providing practical help to ex-prisoners with housing, clothing and employment.

In 1931, Reverend J. Dinnage Hobden formed a similar group in British Columbia under the name of the John Howard Society which was established to carry John Howard's mission in aiding prisoners and ex-convicts in rehabilitation and re-integration following their sentence.

In 1946, the "Citizens Service Association" in Ontario changed its name and became the John Howard Society of Ontario. Most other provinces formed John Howard Societies between 1947 and 1960. In February 1962, the John Howard Society of Canada was formed when all provinces, except Quebec, ratified a constitution. Quebec joined the John Howard Society in 1980. The Northwest Territories joined in 1994.

The John Howard Society fills an important role in public education, community service and in pressing for reform in the criminal justice area. Currently there are branches and offices in over 60 communities across Canada, provincial offices in all 10 provinces and the Northwest Territories and a national office in Kingston, Ontario - within driving distance of 10 federal penitentiaries.

Today, the John Howard Society of Canada is a federation of provincial and local societies comprised of people whose mission is "effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime." Our goal is to understand and respond to problems of crime; to work with people who have come into conflict with the law; to review, evaluate and advocate for changes in the criminal justice process; and to engage in public education on matters involving prison conditions, criminal law and its application.

Local branches and affiliates deliver direct service to individuals. The original focus of the founders of the John Howard Society was helping men released from prison. While aftercare continues to be a core service to this day, the activities of local Societies have expanded over the years. The services now include working with men in correctional facilities both federal and provincial, with people in community correctional programmes, with young offenders both in custody and in the community and, most recently, with people defined as being "at risk" of involvement in criminal activity.

The John Howard Society depends on public involvement. Voluntary Boards of Directors govern all levels of the organization - from local to national. Volunteers are extensively involved in the direct service work of the Society. Many also support the work of the John Howard Society through donations.

Nanaimo Region John Howard Society

In 1958, a small Nanaimo group of volunteers began to tackle issues important to the community and to the Criminal Justice System. The Nanaimo Area Council served our community as part of the Vancouver Island John Howard Society until 1989 when the Nanaimo Region John Howard Society was incorporated. The Society is affiliated with both the John Howard Society of British Columbia and the John Howard Society of Canada. The Nanaimo Region John Howard Societyis a Non-Profit Charitable Organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. We have a number of active programs run by dedicated staff and volunteers. The Society is ever evolving to keep up with present day needs of clients and the community at large.

Our Vision is a safe and inclusive community where every citizen takes responsibility for a humane, civil, and just society. We offer programs that are innovative and recognized for being best practice. The excellence of our Restorative Justice Program has been recognized both nationally and internationally. Our Forensic Housing and Outreach Program received the BC Mental Health and Addiction Services Award of Excellence. In May 2012, the Guthrie Therapeutic Community program was the recipient of the Premier’s Award for Innovation.

Our Mission - the Nanaimo Region John Howard Society supports the community by providing services to promote responsible and accountable behaviours that lead to a safer community.

Core Values

•Compassion / •Innovation / •Leadership / •Integrity
•Honesty / •Accountability / •Inclusivity / •Respect

We Believe -
INDIVIDUALS: People can change for the better.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Everyone is responsible for the Criminal Justice System in their community.
CRIME PREVENTION: The prevention of crime should be a priority for all local, provincial and federal governments.
THE LAW AND YOUNG OFFENDERS: The principles within legislation are fundamentally sound and lowering the age (under 12) and publishing the names of young offenders is not warranted. Community based resources are needed to enhance the effectiveness of legislation and deter incarceration.
JAIL: Incarceration of an offender is a last resort for the protection of the community. Incarceration is a punishment and should be humane. All human rights should be preserved including the right to privacy.
PAROLE: The process of gradual release from incarceration into the community is beneficial to both community safety and the offender. Halfway houses are a part of this process, and the so-called “faint-hope” clause for offenders serving life sentences is a positive provision.
SEX OFFENDERS: Public notification and Registries are not in the public or the offenders best interest. Treatment and community support reduce the risk of re-offending for the majority of sex offenders.
DRUGS AND CRIME: Increased public education and prevention programs are supported. Harm reduction strategies to include needle exchange, medically assisted detoxification, and long term supportive housing is supported. The purchase and possession of illegal/illicit substances by adults for personal consumption is considered a health issue, not a criminal offense.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: Capital punishment is inhumane and does not deter crime.
VICTIMS OF CRIME: The concerns of victims of crime are addressed through the principles of Restorative Justice.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: Government and communities work together to enhance the Criminal Justice System through the expansion of victim-offender mediation, conflict resolution, healing and reconciliation.

1