Reintegration into society after serving a sentence
Since 2001, the Espadrille Social Reintegration Service has provided assistance and support to adult offenders serving a sentence under provincial jurisdiction as well as people serving their sentence in the community in order to help them successfully reintegrate into society. The service uses different approaches, including choice theory, cognitive behavioural therapy, and systemic and humanistic approaches.
Our services aim to help participants:
- Acquire psychosocial skills (problem solving, self-control, self-awareness, critical thinking, prioritizing needs);
- Achieve autonomy (awareness and accountability, knowledge of community resources in the area, integration into society and the community, compliance with social norms, etc.);
- Gain stability in their personal life (emotions, family, self-esteem, relationships) and professional life (training, socialization, employment, resources).
Discover the three components of this resource
Community monitoring
The Community Surveillance Program provides men who men offenders under provincial jurisdiction with guidance in achieving the reintegration objectives set out in their correctional intervention plan. In addition to ensuring that they respect the conditions of their court order, community surveillance agents assist them adopt socially acceptable behaviour.
Community support
Offered at Bordeaux Prison (also known as Établissement de détention de Montréal) and in the community at the Downtown YMCA, the Community Support Program aims to help participants reobtain identification documents. In addition, referrals can be provided based on their needs (food banks, housing resources, job search, etc.). Participants can also benefit from a number of advantages, such as access to the YMCA’s gym, help and support services.
Workshops
The Espadrille social reintegration programs aim to help participants develop different psychosocial skills so they can reintegrate society.
Different workshops are offered at our downtown YMCA offices, the Montréal Detention Centre, and the Rivières-des-Prairies Detention Centre.
Committed to the social reintegration of male adult offenders serving a sentence under provincial jurisdiction or serving their sentence in the community, we offer our different service components by videoconference or telephone.
Here are programs that are currently being offered:
- Living without Violence (LWV)
Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. / from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For people with anger management, communication, grief, and emotional dependency problems.
- Vivre sans Violence (VSV)
Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For people with anger management, communication, grief, and emotional dependency problems.
- Groupe Action Prévention (GAP)
Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For people with recurring behavioural problems associated with delinquency and various addictions.
- EntouRage
Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For people with anger management issues and difficulty solving problems.
Summer Programming (July and August 2022):
- Living without Violence (LWV)
Mondays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For people with anger management, communication, grief, and emotional dependency problems.
- Entre-Nous
Mondays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For people who have committed intimate partner violence or have problems in their intimate relationships.
- Society and Interpersonal Relationship (SIR)
Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For people who have difficulty understanding their role in society, intimate relationships, and parent-child relationships.
We also offer 90-minute thematic workshops
- The justice system: Informative workshop on the justice and correctional system. We will discuss different kinds of sentences, probation services, sentencing measures, correctional measures, legal conditions and the correctional intervention plans.
- Budget and debt : Informative workshop on financial health. We will discuss overindebtedness, solutions to debt, compensatory work and the PAJIC.
- Substance abuse: Information and awareness workshop on substance abuse. During this workshop, we will discuss categories of substance, the central nervous system, the consequences of addition and the stages of change.
- My role as a father: Information and awareness workshop about the importance of a father in the life of his child(ren). We will discuss shared custody, how to support a child during the pandemic, parenting skills and support ressources.
- Emotional health: Information and awareness workshop about the importance of a healthy and balanced lifestyle during a time of crisis.
* Workshops upon request
To register or for more information
Email us at cjle@ymcaquebec.org or leave us a voice message at 514-849-8393, extension 1725. Please indicate your phone number and the workshop you would like to sign up for.
"I needed to learn how to unlearn so I could relearn how to function in society."