In Kingston, Ont., a new program by The Salvation Army’s Freedom Ministries is offering a second chance to seniors exiting the criminal justice system. Assisting Seniors After Prison (ASAP) addresses the unique barriers that make successful re-entry into society particularly difficult for seniors, a largely underserviced group.

According to Dennis Chadwick, program manager, the leading cause of recidivism is the level of need and the lack of resources and support upon release to address those needs. The goal of ASAP is to help meet those needs early, preventing the revolving door of incarceration so that clients can restore their dignity and independence.

A DAUNTING TASK

Re-entry into society requires finding housing, employment, medical care, securing necessary documentation and relearning how to live in a society that has changed rapidly.

There are barriers to securing housing as many people exiting prison do not have income, credit history or references, and long-term care and congregate living facilities have long wait lists. In addition, they also experience food insecurity, lack of world and social knowledge, and public stigma.

Additionally, research shows that individuals in prison experience rapid aging compared to the average adult in society. “In prison, someone who is 50 may be experiencing the same level of need as someone who is 65,” explains Chadwick. Yet, many seniors don’t qualify for government benefits and pensions until they reach the age of 65.

Recognizing the vast need and a gap in services, Freedom Ministries sought funding from Public Safety Canada as part of its Policy Development Contribution Program (PDCP), which provides funding for initiatives that collect data to inform government discussions and policy development around public safety.

Currently in its second year, ASAP has six regular clients and a growing number of referrals from the Kingston area.

SYSTEMS NAVIGATION

Some individuals spend a large portion of their adult lives behind bars, and for someone who is aging, medical needs are greater, job prospects are fewer, and it may not be possible to start a new career. In prison, they also have access to medical care that ends once they are released, leaving them to fend for themselves. This unique set of challenges and barriers to re-entry cause seniors exiting the prison system to struggle on their own.

ASAP starts with a referral system that begins six months before release so that the support team can determine the client’s immediate needs and lay a foundation for successful reintegration. Caseworkers create a personalized plan that addresses medical, housing, financial and emotional support.

Once the client’s needs are determined, caseworkers help them navigate each aspect of re-entry from finding housing to accessing services, such as health care, employment assistance and applying for government benefits. Staff also accompany clients to appointments to help document, communicate and liaise with community partners. The goal is to guide each client toward full independence or adequate assisted living within one to two years of release.

“We’re stepping in to help them navigate the system,” Chadwick explains. “We get to know them so that before they come out of prison, there is already a plan in place to support them.”

MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN

Christopher (not his real name), a client of the ASAP program, says that the rules in society, and those outlined in his release conditions, can be overwhelming. But having ASAP there to help him access resources and stay motivated has made an incredible difference in his life.

“This time is much better than in the past. I have a place to go and a support team,” he says. “My goal is to stay on track with my mental health and be self sufficient in my life again. Without the housing and support team, I think I’d be back inside the prison. I’d fall into depression and feel like I am being left behind by society.”

Christopher is used to doing what he must to survive, but he knows that returning to jail is not an option for him if he wants to achieve his future goals. Still, without income or credit, he has struggled to find his footing outside of prison. ASAP has given him a safe place to turn for direction, guidance and support.

“I can ask questions and not be judged for not understanding, or for wanting more information about the world and what I can and cannot do,” he says. “This service is helping me achieve my goals to get back home and be OK.”

Like Christopher, Michael (not his real name) has struggled to secure employment and income, a challenge that has a direct impact on his physical and mental health. “It’s tough with no place to live, trying to find supports, resisting homelessness and doing everything I can to stay off the streets,” he says.

“But I am overcoming my obstacles and taking it one day at a time, focusing on my goals for the day. ASAP has helped me find employment and better myself. It helps keep my emotional well-being in check, and it is an outlet to talk about change and what needs to happen for me.”

THE CRISIS OF DESPAIR

Reintegration is not just about accessing services—it’s also about reconnecting with community, rebuilding social ties and overcoming feelings of isolation. Many people who have exited prison report a deep sense of despair when confronted with the daunting task of starting over. Some seniors don’t know where to begin with community reintegration and many have lost touch with their families.

To address the growing concern of isolation and despair, Freedom Ministries has restarted Open Door Fellowship, a program that ran before the pandemic, now with a smaller group to foster close connections. Open Door Fellowship is a welcoming, non-judgmental space for fellowship, worship, group activities and pro-social discussions. It integrates faith, friendship and a positive support network into the individual’s healing journey.

“We are encouraging people to develop new, healthy, supportive relationships,” says Chadwick. “They know that they have friends in The Salvation Army.”

Within the community, ASAP attempts to address stigma by raising awareness through presentations at St. Lawrence College in Kingston and the University of Ottawa, developing relationships with community partners and speaking into discussions about systemic issues in the criminal justice system.

“People often look at someone coming out of prison as being a higher-risk individual when, in fact, they have gone through a lot of cognitive behavioural therapy inside,” explains Chadwick. “In many cases, they have learned from their behaviours and have no desire to repeat those mistakes.”

A PLACE IN SOCIETY

“We know that God can work miracles in people’s lives, and we’ve seen first-hand that with the right support, people can change,” says Chadwick, who has spent more than a decade working with individuals in the criminal justice system and has witnessed the transformative power of faith and community support. Forparticipants, ASAP provides an opportunity to reclaim their dignity and their place in society.

“It’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving and finding a new way forward,” he concludes. “Individuals don’t have to end up in jail, but if they do, we want them to come out somehow better than they went in.”

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