Promote the implementation of a no-discharge-into-homelessness policy by the provincial government.

Barrier: Lack of discharge planning in corrections

First Light provides cultural and system navigation support for Indigenous people who are involved in the corrections system. Through this work, First Light staff have noted a complete absence of discharge planning for inmates prior to release. Many have been released from the criminal justice system with little advance notice and without basic resources to support their successful reintegration into society. This often means inmates are discharged without arrangements even for temporary housing, without appropriate clothing (e.g. being released without appropriate outerwear in the middle of winter), and without adequate notice to external support programs like the one at First Light. Additionally, inmates who apply for public assistance (e.g. income support) before their release cannot have their applications processed until they are no longer incarcerated, leaving weeks of wait time during which the former inmate may be homeless.

Location and time of day are often not considered in decision-making at the time of release. As a result, individuals may be released from custody at a time of day when all shelters in the area are already full or in a location far from any supports that would otherwise be available. Indigenous inmates are often (though not always) from areas of the province far from the correctional facility where they have been held. Personal connections who might be willing to help may therefore be unable to provide any practical support at the time of release. Despite delivering programming directly within the criminal justice system, organizations like First Light are typically not given enough notice of an inmate’s discharge to be able to plan appropriately to support the individual being released, which contributes to their likelihood of homelessness and recidivism upon release.

A lack of discharge planning increases the likelihood that the person being released will become homeless, and being homeless increases the likelihood of reoffending. For this reason, appropriate discharge planning has the potential to decrease crime rates while also addressing overcrowding in correctional facilities.

Barrier: Inadequate support for inmates, poor working conditions for staff in corrections

Inadequate cultural, mental health, and addictions supports in correctional facilities creates circumstances which increase the risk of mental health problems for Indigenous inmates, making them more likely to be discharged into homelessness. Programming to support inmates’ mental health is often cancelled due to short staffing, which is closely linked to challenges retaining correctional staff due to poor working conditions. Mental health supports for inmates are lacking and many report inconsistencies in receiving their critical medications.

Although an Indigenous Liaison Officer position exists at the Clarenville Correctional Centre for Women (CCCW), it is currently unfilled. Challenges with recruitment are likely due to poor working conditions for the person who would hold this position. (See Call for Change 27 for more details on recruiting full-time, paid Indigenous advisory positions.)

Barrier: Unsafe shelter system

The shelter system in St. John’s is not safe for Indigenous people. Many experience racism and threats to their physical safety in these spaces, or know others who have, and so do not seek access to a shelter. Some choose instead to sleep rough (e.g. in a park). The lack of safety in shelters and potential vulnerability in sleeping alone outdoors pushes many to return to abusive domestic situations. This risk is especially high for women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

For the Department of Justice and Public Safety (JPS):

• In collaboration with community service providers, develop and implement a policy requiring that comprehensive discharge plans for all inmates be put in place before their release date. This policy must explicitly prohibit anyone from being discharged into homelessness.
• Require that all correctional facilities designate consistent and predictable programming space to facilitate cultural supports for Indigenous inmates, such as an Elders program. This is already being done for pastoral care programming. (See Call for Change 35.)
• Allocate funding in the upcoming budget cycle to reduce Indigenous overincarceration by expanding the availability of alternative sanctions programs, including in urban areas. (See Call for Change 37.)

For the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development (CSSD):

• Update policies on applying for income supports and other social programs to allow for processing of applications from individuals while they are incarcerated, with benefits to begin immediately upon release. Coordination with JPS staff involved in developing discharge plans will be required.

For Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS):

• Allocate funding in the upcoming budget cycle to ensure the consistent availability of mental health and addictions programming, including counselling, for all inmates in the provincial corrections system. (See Call for Change 33.)

For providers of shelter space:

• Ensure all staff complete mandatory training on cultural humility, Indigenous cultures and histories, intergenerational trauma, anti-oppressive practice, and antiracism intervention.