Today in Ontario, people with past criminal justice involvement, who are homeless, must navigate the social services system on their own, often accessing services and programs without any defined plan. Last year, 70,903 prisoners were released from Ontario’s provincial correctional institutions, a number that will likely swell in the wake of new federal legislation, Bill C-10. The need for supports in the community and in transitional housing is now greater than ever.
A new report from the John Howard Society of Ontario’s Centre of Research, Policy and Program Development, funded in part by the Wellesley Institute, shows that recently released prisoners facing homelessness have complex social and health issues. Access to safe and affordable housing, something that comes in very short supply in Ontario, is desperately need to support this population efforts re-enter society.
Download the full report here.