The clientele of provincial detention centres is made up mainly of repeat offenders. Since 2001, the Espadrille Day Centre has been providing services to male delinquents aged 18 and over, in order to break the vicious cycle of repeat offences. The Centre works closely with Québec Correctional Services (SCQ) and other agencies.

To help rehabilitate its clientele, the Centre works toward the following goals:

• Helps participants acquire social and psychological skills (problem solving, self control, self recognition, critical thinking, ability to prioritize needs).
• Promotes development of autonomy (awareness and accountability, knowledge of community resources in the area, integration into society and the community, observance of social conventions, etc.).
• Helps the offender develop more personal stability (emotion, family, self-esteem, positive relationships).

The services are provided in the prison environment and onsite, at the Centre. In detention centres, interventions mainly target primary needs, such as housing, food, identity cards, etc. Prisoners also have access to training in different areas. At the centre, the activities start off with individual meetings with the clients guided by correctional system personnel. The client is then directed toward program activities that best meet his needs, including individual and group meetings, training and workshops (budget, computers), recreational activities, coaching, raising awareness and information sessions.

By coaching the offenders and providing them with the tools and support they need to re-integrate into society, the Centre fills an essential need to break the vicious cycle in which repeat offenders find themselves.

For more information, please contact Luc Forest at the Downtown Y centre,
514 849-8393 ext. 784.