Our Services
Our services are designed to help women avoid prison sentences and develop skills to prevent re-offending and further incarceration. Training is also provided to women prisoners within the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, and we provide follow-up re-integration work with women upon their release. Supportive counselling is an important component of our programming as it often focuses on helping women become prepared for further counselling and other supportive programs.
Court Support
This service offers advocacy and support in court for women appearing on charges. The Court Support Worker provides information about court procedures, counselling, assistance at the time of sentencing and referrals to other service providers. Advocacy during court appearances is made available at the Peterborough Courts.
Prisoner Advocacy
This service assists women through their incarceration at the Central East Correctional Centre (CECC) in Lindsay by providing legal support and advocacy on individual and human rights issues. The Prisoner Advocate acts as the liaison between the CECC and the prisoner. The program “Taking Control: Making Healthy Choices” is provided for women during their incarceration period, as is 1:1 supportive counselling (as needed).
1:1 Supportive Counselling
One to one supportive counselling is available to women who are dealing with immediate crisis situations that arise as well as on personal issues that have not yet been resolved and to prepare them to continue with therapeutic counselling. The counsellor also assists women returning to the community after their incarceration period.
Service and Program Referral Process - Waiting Times
Referrals are made by Court Services, Probation and Parole, Police, Community Agencies or by word of mouth. Wait times are typically one week to six months (dependent on the nature of the program and enrolment).
