Parole Supervision
Contracted with Correctional Services Canada
The Parole Supervision Program allows Aboriginal Offenders to be supervised in their home communities by staff that live in these communities and who are aware of the needs of the offender, and the resources available to assist in offender re-integration. To this end, NCSA’s Parole Officers provide quality supervision, in areas that may not be accessible by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), by Aboriginal staff that have a more extensive understanding and knowledge of the community.
The parole supervision program offered by NCSA assists CSC in fulfilling its mandate to partner with Aboriginal communities for effective service delivery. In addition, NCSA Parole Officers prepare community assessments in preparation for release of parolees into the community.
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Stan Daniels Healing Centre
Contracted Service with the Correctional Service of Canada
The Stan Daniels Healing Centre is a 72-bed facility that has both a Community Correctional Centre and a Section 81 designation. Residents at the Centre are either conditionally released offenders (day parole or full parole / statutory release with residency), or residents with inmate status. Programming at the facility is unique in that it is guided by the needs of residents and the direction of Elders.
The effective operation of the Centre relies on the belief that Aboriginal offenders require specific programs to address their social, educational, emotional, physical and spiritual needs, and that cultural, familial, and social experiences contribute to their development. Residents of the Centre have the opportunity to influence their development by actively participating in the establishment of developmental goals. Healing Centre staff provide guidance, support and supervision. Stan Daniels Healing Centre offers a variety of personal development programs that address issues of grief and loss, and relationships and violence.
The In Search of Your Warrior Violent Offender Healing Program has been recognized by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) as an effective, Aboriginal specific program that addresses the needs of Aboriginal violent offenders. The program has now been implemented in institutions in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Quebec through a partnership between the Correctional Service of Canada and NCSA. The Stan Daniels Healing Centre has offered the program as both an “in-house” program during the winter, and in a “bush camp” format throughout the summer months. The women’s adaptation, “Spirit of A Warrior” is offered in institutions for women as well.
Another key program developed and offered at the Centre, the “Oskipi Matsui” (meaning New Life) program, is also being implemented in different institutions in many provinces. This program has been a cornerstone of the services provided at the Centre, assisting residents to develop important life skills in a holistic, Aboriginal appropriate manner. An addiction program is also provided at Stan Daniels Healing Centre to assist clients in managing their addictions as part of their healing journey.
Finally, NCSA is working in partnership with the provincial government Human Resources, Industry Canada and Computers for Schools to provide a computer re-furbishing program to the residents of Stan Daniels Healing Center. Industry donates old computers to the Computers for Schools program and they in turn supply The Stan Daniels Healing Centre with computers for the men to work on. The men learn their A+ certification which is an entry level computer program. They learn quickly to take apart computers, take parts from each of those computers and rebuild them into computers that work; we then exchange the rebuilt computers with Computers from Schools with older computers.
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Young Offender Probation
Contracted Service with Alberta Justice
The Young Offender Probation Program provides community supervision of male and female Aboriginal offenders in Edmonton. The program combines and maintains the standards of the Solicitor General and Public Security and the Mission Statement of Native Counselling Services of Alberta to provide supervision to youth.
The program provides unique and creative ways for probation orders and other sentences under the Youth Criminal Justice Act such as deferred custody, community supervision and community service hours to be successfully completed. The Probation Officer also supervises youth on bail release / pre trial. One of the unique aspects of the program is that a youth may move around Edmonton and the file will be transferred as NCSA supervises city wide.
The program has an enhancement component that can be used to assist youth with small set backs such as transportation and identification. When Aboriginal youth are being sentenced in court, the Probation Officer can ensure the specific and unique needs of Aboriginal youth are addressed. The court is often provided with information about the youth’s background and family and with anything pertaining to the Gladue Decision that can be used to make an informed decision about the youth who are being sentenced. Back to Top
Calgary Aboriginal Youth Restorative Justice Committee (CAYRJC) Program funded by Alberta Justice Section 18 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act provides an opportunity for citizens to become directly involved in the administration of youth justice by forming Youth Justice Committees (YJCs). YJCs are an alternative to the court system that involves a panel of community members volunteering to work with young people in conflict with the law, their families, victims (where applicable), the legal system, and the community to find appropriate and meaningful consequences for the young person.
There are twenty-three Youth Justice Committees in the city of Calgary, most of which are designated to specific areas of the city. The Calgary Aboriginal Youth Restorative Justice Committee (CAYRJC) is the only Aboriginal-specific Youth Justice Committee in Calgary, and it covers the entire city and surrounding areas.
The objective of the CAYRJC is to work with the Justice System in Calgary and the surrounding areas in providing a unique, alternative, status-blind, and non-discriminatory cultural approach to dealing with Aboriginal youth in the Justice System. CAYRJC strives to empower and provide hope to Aboriginal young offenders in the community by drawing on the experiences and knowledge of the volunteer committee members. By involving respected Elders, the youth, the Justice System, the victims, and the community, CAYRJC provides culturally relevant teaching based on the youth’s background.
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