A new report released today by the United Way of Bruce Grey is calling for urgent coordinated action to fix a challenging reintegration system for individuals returning to the community after incarceration.
Titled Mapping Discharge Pathways from Correctional Institutions in Bruce Grey, the report reveals that people released from the Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC) and area courts face systemic obstacles that often leave them without identification, housing, transportation, or support—effectively setting them up to fail.
“These aren’t just bureaucratic missteps. They are missed opportunities for recovery, dignity, and reintegration,” said Francesca Dobbyn, Executive Director of United Way of Bruce Grey. “If we want safer, healthier communities, we need systems that set people up to succeed—not fall back.”
Key Recommendations:
- Standardized Discharge Planning: Create clear protocols for ID, medical info, and release coordination.
- Personal Property Retrieval Protocol: Ensure individuals can access essential belongings post-release.
- Extended or After-Hours Services: Offer shelter and support when people need them most.
- Expanded Housing Options: Invest in diverse models that meet real-world needs.
- Rural Transit Investment: Fund transportation to reduce isolation and service inaccessibility.
- Core Funding for Community Services: Stabilize the workforce and ensure long-term planning.
“These are not radical asks,” added Dobbyn. “They are the basic building blocks of a humane, just society.”
Having a clear plan in place to support people as they are released from jail is essential to helping them successfully reintegrate into society. Without coordinated access to housing, employment, mental health care, and community support, individuals are far more likely to fall into the same circumstances that led to incarceration, contributing to high rates of recidivism and ongoing strain on the justice system. Proactive planning reduces this cycle and promotes long-term stability and community safety.
Action is already underway. On July 11, Stuart D’Costa, Willis College practicum student and author of the report, along with Francesca Dobbyn visited the Central North Correctional Centre to share findings and begin dialogue around implementing change. Additional community meetings and planning sessions will be held in the coming months to mobilize support and develop solutions.
“We had a great meeting with CNCC staff and we have already begun to tackle some of the issues highlighted in this report,” Dobbyn notes. “While some of the barriers begin at CNCC, we as a community need to ensure our supports are ready for people when they get home to Bruce Grey.”
