INTRODUCTION
Manchester House is a half-way house run by the John Howard Society of Victoria.
It is
located near downtown Victoria and is within walking distance to a considerable number
of city resources. Staff are from varied backgrounds and have a good understanding of
some of the problems that are faced in starting a new life on the street. We try to provide
an atmosphere that is relaxed and supportive. A person is accepted as a resident at
Manchester because we have decided to sponsor him in his efforts at this point in his
sentence. We try to give him every opportunity to complete a successful parole.
However, each person is accountable for his own choices, and success is ultimately up to
him. As a half-way house we are equipped to help with the transition that takes place
between the institution and the street. Residents can get the most benefit from this
resource by using the time spent in the house to build a solid final release plan. During
this period a resident can build financial resources and community contacts, get
established at work or at school, begin to socialize and generally become re-acquainted
with life in the community.
A conditional release to the community offers more freedom of movement and choice.
The staff at Manchester will always try to respect your privacy and your right to make
your own decisions within the bounds of our contract with CSC. This contract basically
requires us to be aware of your where-abouts in the community at all times. Because of
this, you are required to sign in and sign out every time you enter or leave the house and
we have strict curfews that must be maintained. Some residents are required to report to
the police once a month and there is an expectation that you will not abuse substances
while living at the house. This is because the transition period is a stressful one, even
under the best conditions, and it is a good idea to avoid anything that might cloud your
judgment or get in the way of your progress. Residents having Parole Board Special
Conditions to abstain from intoxicants will be involved in a program of random urinalysis
in co-operation with the Parole Office.
There is space available for twelve Federal and three Provincial residents to live in the
house. Rooms are assigned according to seniority. New residents share one of the three
double rooms until they eventually move up the seniority list to one of the nine single
rooms. Chores are assigned to each room and they must be done as well as the normal
cleaning up after yourself that is part of sharing quarters with other people. Meals are not
provided at Manchester, but there are two large kitchens and residents are encouraged to
cook because it is cheaper and more nutritious. An allowance is provided for
unemployed residents to buy food. Cooking utensils are supplied. There is also a laundry
room for the convenience of the residents. Weekend passes are available and can be
arranged through the parole officer. Much of what happens in Manchester House is a
result of co-operation between staff and residents. It does not take long for the
personality of the group to be reflected because of the small number of people involved.
Although policy does not change, general attitudes of residents and staff quickly become
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a part of day to day operations. The ideal is that we work together to create an atmosphere
that is relaxed and communicative. It can be a successful partnership if given a chance.
HOUSE PHILOSOPHY
There are certain premises on which our counselling is broadly based. These include the
following:
1.
We believe that positive reinforcement, support and encouragement are the
most effective factors in affecting constructive change.
2.
We believe in maturation and what some people might call “burn out”.
Some people require more life experience before what is obvious to others
becomes obvious to them. People can make significant lifestyle changes at
any age.
3.
We believe that an individual is responsible for their own behaviour, and
therefore accountable for the consequences of that behaviour.
4.
We believe it is important to interpret self-destructive or anti-social
behaviours as decisions which an individual has made for themselves.
STAFF
A House Director
B Administrative Assistant
C Three full time Counsellors
D One full time Night Supervisor
E One weekend Night Supervisor
F Relief Staff
Manchester House has at least one staff member on duty twenty-four hours a day.
Each
resident is assigned a full time counsellor who will meet with him on a regular basis to
discuss his progress, his problems or to help clarify any situation that might come up.
The staff member on duty will also provide any assistance that it is needed. The
counselling staff work on a shift schedule which is 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM to
11:00 PM, and 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. The Director has an office on the third floor of the
House and maintains an open door policy to residents. She is generally available Tuesday
through Friday between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
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LOCATION
The house is located near the downtown area of Victoria on Manchester Road.
When
approaching the House from downtown on Douglas Street, one turns left on Burnside
Avenue, and Manchester Road is the first left hand turn off of Burnside. The House is
close to public transportation, and residents can easily walk downtown.
The mailing address is:
Manchester House
540 Manchester Road
Victoria, B.C.
V8T 2N8
Office Telephone: (250) 384-1340
Resident Telephone: (250) 384-1724
Fax: (250) 920-3824
E-Mail: k.roy@manchesterhouse.ca
APPLICATIONS
Manchester
House accepts applications from all federal and provincial institutions.
When applying for residency at Manchester House the interested individual must
establish a relationship (correspondence and/or interview). All the initiative for contact
must come from the applicant. This is because each person is responsible for developing
and pursuing his own release plan. Applying from William Head Institution is a bit
easier because the House is local. The Director and/or a staff member of Manchester
interview interested persons at William Head Institution every Wednesday. Inmates need
to book an appointment on the interview list posted beside the boardroom in E Unit. The
Director also visits all of the Mainland Institutions every second month and twice a year
during the John Howard Society Information Fairs. If an inmate has an upcoming hearing
and is interested in residing at Manchester House they can inform their Institiutional
Parole Officer who will then send a request to the Victoria Parole Office. The Victoria
office will do a community assessment/strategy by presenting the application to the
Screening Committee which meets every second Thursday. If they agree that a release to
the Victoria area is desirable and practical the Community Assessment will be supported.
If an application is turned down a reason will be given. This process can be done very
quickly once the applicant's Institutioinal Parole Officer has contacted the Victoria office.
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SELECTION PROCESS
Federal and Provincial inmates are selected for residency on a priority basis on the
following criteria:
First -
Inmates who show insight, demonstrated commitment and concrete
plans to make changes in their lifestyles which in the past have
lead to patterns of criminal behaviour.
Second -
Inmates who demonstrated constructive lifestyles prior to their
federal convictions, and can take advantage of the resources the
House has to offer to re-establish themselves in the community.
Third -
As a bed space is available, inmates who need assistance in reintegration, however, show lesser degrees of insight, commitment,
concrete plans, etc.
Criteria for Admission:
1.
Inmates who are assessed by Manchester staff as not posing a significant
behaviour/management problem.
2.
Inmates who are assessed to be compatible with current residents of the
House.
3.
Persons with substance abuse problems who recognize it as a factor in
their criminal behaviour:
a)
having taken advantage of institutional programming.
b)
having developed specific plans and support for addressing
substance abuse while in the community.
c)
willingness to co-operate with urinalysis monitoring, including
both random and upon request.
d)
the current number of residents in the house with similar substance
abuse problems would also be factor.
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4.
5.
Consideration of the location of the House near an elementary school and
a neighborhood project may affect the application of an inmate. However,
each inmate will be considered individually on the following basis:
a)
psychological and/or psychiatric assessment which gives reason to
believe that an inmate no longer poses a threat to those in the
House and to the community at large.
b)
successful participation in institutional programming geared to
their offence.
c)
a willingness to participate in community based
counselling/therapy.
All applicants must be reviewed by the Manchester House Steering
Committee. This policy is designed to involve the community in the
decision to accept or reject potentially dangerous offenders. The
Committee is a sub-committee of the John Howard Board of Directors and
includes community members at large.
HOUSEKEEPING
Chores
Chores are assigned to the room number so that residents are responsible for cleaning in
the general area they are using most. When a resident moves to a new room his chores
will change according to the room number he is in. A list of room chores are posted on
the bulletin board and in each resident's room. He is responsible for completing these
chores as well as cleaning his room and cleaning up after himself in the areas of the house
that he uses. When chores have been completed they are inspected by a staff member
who will then sign the chore completion sheet. Chores should be looked after on an ongoing basis, however, all chores are checked by staff weekly. If a resident has not
completed his chore he may be ineligible for a weekend pass or his allowance will be
witheld until completed.
Cooking
Meals are not provided at Manchester House.
A portion of the unemployed allowance is
for purchasing food supplies. There are two well equipped kitchens in the house. It is
suggested that residents do their own cooking because of the cost of eating out, and
because it is important to get nutritional food especially during times of stress. Staff
(excluding the Director) are more than happy to help the non-cooks as are other residents
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who have cooking skills. There is also a nutrition class held twice a month for residents
who wish to exhance their cooking skills.
Laundry
There is a large, well equipped laundry room on the ground floor of the house.
It can be
used from 7 AM to 10 PM. There is also an iron and an ironing board set up for the
convenience of residents.
Linen
Two
sheets, one comforter, one pillow case, and one pillow are provided to each
resident. Sheets, comforter, pillow and the pillow case are returned to the House when an
individual leaves. It is the responsibility of the resident to make sure they are clean
before they leave.
SECURITY
Manchester House has a contract with the Corrections Service of Canada to supply
accommodation for federal and provincial offenders who are on parole. We maintain
minimum security in comparison to the Federal Institutions but there are requirements
that we must comply with. They are based on the fact that residents are still serving their
sentence and are still on the count of the Institution they have transferred from.
Sign-In/Sign-Out
Residents must sign-in and out every time they enter or leave the residence. Staff must
initial all entries made by the resident. They are also required to note how long they will
be gone and where they will be going while they are out (see curfews for mid-day signin).
Police Reporting
Some residents will be asked to report to the local police station.
This will be decided
by their parole officer.
Room Searches/Bed Check Policy
Staff members make routine rounds of the House and if a resident has not signed the log
and has not been seen in the House his room will be checked. Night staff also make three
random room checks on each resident during their rounds after evening curfew count. A
search of all communal areas and the yard is made by staff at least once a month. Rooms
are searched when a resident leaves for the protection of the incoming resident.
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The staff at Manchester House are always concerned that the privacy of the residents is
maintained. However, there are occasions when a room is searched for other reasons. If
the staff feel that the safety of the community or the House is a factor, a room will be
searched for contraband such as drugs and weapons.
Curfews
Sunday to Thursday the curfew is 12:00 midnight, and on Friday and Saturday (and
Sundays for long weekends) the curfew is extended to 1:00 AM. For new residents and
UTA's, there is a 30-day mid-day sign-in required sometime between 2:00 PM to 7:00
PM. For new residents the 10:00 PM curfew ends after the first week. For residents on a
UTA the 10:00PM curfew is for the entire pass. Missing sign-in’s is dealt with in the
same way that missing the evening curfews is handled. All curfews must be adhered to
very strictly. If a resident is more than ten minutes late, it will be reported to the National
Monitoring Centre.
VISITORS
Visitors are welcome in the common areas of Manchester House, but are not allowed to
visit in resident rooms. They must remain in the common areas of the main floor of the
House. They must also be introduced to staff when they arrive, and staff should be
informed when they are leaving. Any visitor who displays inappropriate behaviour or are
dressed inappropriately will be asked to leave. Residents are responsible for the
behaviour of their guests. The curfew for visitors is one half hour before the resident
curfew.
MEDICAL COVERAGE
Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) does not provide B.C. Medical coverage for
individuals released from an Institution. Prospective residents must apply to the B.C.
Medical Services Plan for coverage before leaving the Institution. With regards to
dental, optometric, and prescription coverage, residents should inquire as to what the
situation is from the staff at the time of their intake.
PRESCRIPTIONS
All prescribed medications must be given to staff for safe keeping in the locked filing
cabinet. This medication is monitored by the staff and medication is taken according to
the instructions listed on the container. Over-the-counter medications must also be
reported to the staff with the name of the medication and pertinent details of its use.
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INTAKE
Intake procedures take about one hour.
A new file is created for a resident the day he
arrives at Manchester House. Several forms are filled out pertaining to current sentence
and residency at Manchester House. The resident will receive a copy of the resident
handbook at this time (if they haven’t received one previously) and this will supply some
of the information needed especially in the first few weeks.
House and room keys will be handed out along with a welcome package containing three
towels, face cloth, key ring, wallet, map of Victoria, day planner, pen, shampoo, soap,
comb, toothbrush, toothpaste and a list of helpful phone numbers. The staff person on
duty will take the new resident on a tour of the house, pointing out safety and fire
procedure and location of exits and fire extinguishers.
The new resident will sign in at Manchester upon his arrival at the house for the first time
and the sign-in log is explained. The House Director will assign a Counsellor before the
arrival of the resident. Meetings will be arranged for the resident with the House Director,
the Parole Officer and the Counsellor. These meetings will establish the immediate
release plans of the new resident.
Intake procedures will provide the new person with as much information as possible on
the day he arrives but staff and his counsellor will be available and in fact very willing to
clarify anything that he might have missed or wants to know more about in the days that
follow. Intake is an informal affair at Manchester and is usually done over coffee.
DISCHARGE
When a resident is being discharged from Manchester House there is an established
routine which helps to make sure that everything is looked after. This routine is as
follows:
1.
Residents must clean their room and then have it inspected by staff who
will later search the room before it is reassigned.
2.
Bedding must be washed and returned to staff along with room and house
keys.
3.
The resident will be asked to sign a form acknowledging receipt of all his
personal belongings from Manchester House.
4.
The resident must sign out, in the Arrival/Departure book.
5.
Parole forms should be signed by the resident if this has not already been
done at the Parole office.
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6.
Before departing the resident must arrange to clear any outstanding debts
to the House.
7.
Residents are reminded to give away or remove any foodstuff in the
cupboard or refrigerator.
8.
Residents are requested to give a forwarding address.
FIRE AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
In the event of fire residents and staff are required to close all windows and doors and
leave the lights on. Everyone in the House must leave immediately through the posted
fire exits if the main entrance cannot be used and go directly to the parking lot at the back
of the house. The senior staff person on duty is responsible for insuring that everyone has
left the building and that everyone is accounted for. The fire department must be notified
immediately. Fire drills are held occasionally but it is important that residents be aware
always of the best escape route because this will change frequently with the rotation of
rooms. Escape routes are posted on each bedroom door.
DAY PAROLE AND STATUTORY RELEASE
Virtually all the residents at Manchester House are on a conditional release.
We have
two Parole Officers who are our liaisons with Victoria Parole Office and generally the
Parole Officers of everyone who lives in the house. In order to get parole, which is
granted by the Parole Board Of Canada, the inmate must have a "release plan". This plan
figures significantly in what is expected of a resident after he arrives. Primarily residents
find employment, participate in programs or go to school.
Some residents will receive a special condition from the Parole Board when they are
granted day parole or are a statutory release with residency. If this special condition is not
kept it is a violation of parole and can result in being sent back to the institution. As part
of our contract we are required to report violations to the parole authorities. Residents
meet with the parole officer on a regular basis, much the same as they will be required to
do on full parole. Residents may have weekend passes while living at Manchester House
when they have been approved by their parole officer. These passes will be granted only
if a positive community assessment has been completed. It should be noted that verbal
permission is required from the parole officer if the resident is traveling more than
twenty-five miles from the House. If the resident is traveling more than twenty-five miles
from the House and on a weekend pass a travel permit is required. This must be arranged
at least three days in advance of the pass. Residents must have a valid B.C. drivers licence
and carry the proper insurance to drive in B.C. Vehicle description, registration and
insurance must be supplied to the Parole Officer & Manchester House staff.
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RESIDENT ACTION PLAN
Generally on the first day of arrival at Manchester House the new resident meets with
the Director, the Parole Officer and his counsellor to discuss his plans and formulate an
Action Plan. This will be based on his release plans and any special conditions imposed
by the Parole Board. These special conditions often have something to do with abstaining
from alcohol and drugs in which case the Action Plan would include attending AA or NA
or some form of addiction counselling. Manchester maintains relationships with several
outside agencies and individuals that can be involved in the Action Plan. Residents at
Manchester are expected to stick to the plan that is formed at this first meeting. Any
major changes must involve prior consultation with the Director and/or the Parole
Officer.
PROGRAM
The overall programming at Manchester House is designed to reflect the philosophies of
accountability and aspiring to independent living. The day to day operation of the House
becomes part of the program in the sense that allowances, chores, cooking meals, job
hunting, attending classes and generally attempting to achieve the goals in the Resident
Action Plan are part of the routine.
The staff are available to assist with following through on these goals and each resident
has an assigned counsellor who meets with him and keeps abreast of what is happening.
The counsellor writes a monthly report on the progress of the resident which is based on
his Action Plan and this report is shared with the resident.
The residents first meeting with the House Director, the Parole Officer and his Counsellor
shortly after he arrives is primarily to define the Resident Action Plan and to "contract"
with the resident to pursue the goals outlined in the Plan.
In most cases abstinence from alcohol and drugs are a part of the Action Plan, either at
the request of the Parole Board by way of a special condition, or because the resident
recognizes the negative role these substances have played in his life. In these instances
referrals are made to outside agencies who have expertise in these areas. There are also
individual counselling services that have contracts with CSC and they may also become
part of the Action Plan.
Most of the residents at Manchester start looking for employment soon after they arrive.
Manchester Staff and/or John Howard Society Job Search are prepared to assist residents
with highly individualized help in resume preparation, job search techniques, etc.
Our programming at Manchester is more of a total holistic approach rather than separate
segments of activity. We feel that it is a realistic base for daily life after release.
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RESIDENT RIGHTS
1.
Residents have the right to be treated with respect.
2.
Residents will not be discriminated against for race, creed or colour,
national ancestry, age or sexual preference.
3.
Residents have the right to confidentiality regarding information gathered
and retained at Manchester House.
4.
Under the Human Rights Act, effective March 1, 1978, a resident has the
right to request to see the information on his file. CSC files are the
jurisdiction of the Canadian Corrections Service. This application must be
made through the parole office.
5.
Residents have a right to medical treatment.
6.
Residents have the right to outside counselling if approved and funded by
the Parole Service.
7.
Residents are entitled to adequate accommodation. (Adequate refers to an
acceptable level of cleanliness and comfort).
RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
Residents are expected to maintain their portion of their contract with
Manchester House. This consists of complying with House rules and
responsibilities and agreed parole plans in exchange for sponsorship and
accommodation.
2.
Residents must respect the property of Manchester House and fellow
residents. Theft will result in termination of residency.
3.
Residents must treat the staff at Manchester House with respect and
courtesy.
4.
Residents must respect the privacy of other residents.
5.
Residents are expected to keep staff informed of their day to day progress
in an honest and straightforward manner.
6.
Residents are expected to attend monthly House meetings.
7.
Residents are responsible for contributing to the cleanliness of the House.
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8.
Residents are expected to fill out a questionnaire upon discharge in order
for staff to further evaluate our services.
YMCA PASSES
The YMCA will provide passes to each resident at a discounted rate during their stay at
Manchester. This privilege can be discontinued if a resident does not follow the rules and
regulations of the YMCA.
COMPUTER ROOM
The House provides a computer with internet access to residents.
Residents may also
have their own personal computers in their rooms and can have access to our wireless
internet in the House. Web sites visited must be appropriate (i.e. no pornography or sites
promoting hatred or violence). Internet sites on the House computer are monitored by
staff regularly and if inappropriate sites are accessed by a resident, the computer
privileges will be discontinued.
MOVIES/POSTERS
Rented movies that are x-rated can not be viewed in Manchester House.
Posters which
display more skin than clothing or promote hatred or violence are not to be placed on any
wall in the House.
ALLOWANCES
Unlike most half-way houses meals are not served at Manchester.
Instead, an allowance
for meals is paid to residents needing assistance (condiments, coffee, and selected
toiletries are also provided). This allows residents greater independence, and an
opportunity to develop skills in cooking, budgeting and planning meals for independent
living when they leave the house. Staff are keen to be of assistance to residents in these
areas if they so desire.
The living allowance is given out weekly; covering the period Wednesday through
Tuesday evening. A resident is paid a living allowance of $49 per week from Manchester
House and an additional $28 per week from CSC while looking for employment.
Allowances will be reduced accordingly when employment begins or if a resident does
not adhere to their correctional plan.
[1 2 ]
If a resident has worked, his earnings will be reviewed weekly with his counsellor to
determinie his eligibility for the weekly allowance. For an individual starting regular
employment, the allowance would end when he receives his first full pay cheque.
Residents who are enrolled in full time studies as a part of their case plan are paid on a
weekly basis at a rate of $77. However, students receiving a Training Allowance or
Student Loan are not eligible for living allowance.
In addition to the above, it should be noted that work or a conscientious job search are
expected Monday through Friday. Individuals not striving to live independently would be
acting contrary to the Manchester House philosophy of encouraging and supporting
independence for residents, so that they will have a good foundation for living in the
community. In the event that a resident is not striving to live independently, the House
would withdraw its support.
CLIENT AID
Client aid is meant to provide assistance to residents who need clothing, supplies, etc. in
order to begin work or school. Residents should approach the House Director with their
request. Grants will be made primarily on the basis of responding to real need; that is
where work or school would be in jeopardy if assistance were not forthcoming.
Generally, grants will be a combination of a grant and a loan where a portion of the aid is
repayable.
EMERGENCY LOANS
There are no personal loans made to residents from the John Howard Society.
For
residents in an emergency, staff have made up food packets, which have enough food for
at least one day. Residents must reimburse the House for these packets.
HOUSE RULES
1.
The House dinner and meeting with residents is scheduled a minimum of
once a month to afford an opportunity to discuss matters relating to the
operation of the House, or matters of interest and importance to residents
and staff. Attendance at such meetings is mandatory.
2.
Residents are responsible for maintaining the House in a clean and orderly
condition in accordance with posted assignment of work duties. In
addition each resident is responsible to maintain his own bedroom in a
clean and orderly condition, and to clean the kitchen and bathroom
[1 3 ]
facilities after his own use. Staff conduct weekly bedroom checks to
ensure cleanliness.
3.
Possession of alcohol, drugs and firearms is absolutely prohibited in the
House. Illegal materials will be confiscated and given to the parole
officer.
4.
Residents must inform the staff immediately of any prescription drug use.
All prescriptions are held in a locked medicine cabinet in the general
office and dispensed accordingly.
5.
Entertainment of guests is restricted to living rooms and dining rooms.
Residents are responsible for the conduct of their guests while they are
visiting the House and for informing the staff of their arrival and
departure. Guests shall depart form the house at least one half hour before
curfew time.
6.
Residents shall at all times comply with the regulations and restrictions
relating to motor vehicles, credit purchases, borrowing, and terms of
employment as established in consultation with their Parole Officer and
the Counselling Staff.
7.
New residents are required to abide by a 10:00PM curfew for at least the
first week of residency (this may be extended by parole officer discretion).
When the 10:00PM curfew is lifted, residents are required to be in the
House from curfew 12:00 AM Sunday to Thursday until 7:00 AM the
following morning (1:00 AM Friday and Saturday until 8:00 AM). Every
resident is required to remain in the House a minimum of 7 hours per day.
Adjustments to the curfews can be made where these times conflict with
school or work commitments, however, all exceptions must be approved
by the parole officer and House staff prior to the time in question.
8.
Residents are required to report to the House between the hours of 2:00
PM and 7:00 PM each day for their first 30 days at the House.
Adjustments can be made where these times conflict with school or work
commitments, or other unusual circumstances; however, it is the residents
responsibility to arrange for a variance in the schedule.
9.
There is no smoking in the House but there is a designated smoking area at
the front of the House outside. Residents are to abide by the smoke free
CRD environment bylaw.
10.
Each resident shall complete the daily “Sign-In/Out Log” when leaving or
returning to the House.
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11.
Residents are required to adhere to special conditions of release and
instructions issued by the parole supervisor. Deterioration of a resident’s
behaviour and performance in the community and the possible risk of
reoffending will be reported to the parole officer by the House staff.
12.
Each resident who has an approved weekend pass must notify House staff
if he intends to use his pass no later than midnight on the Thursday prior to
the pass weekend. Residents on weekend passes will be contacted by staff
at their approved destination. This is called a ‘spot check’and a land
telephone line located at the address of the pass is to be used. If staff are
unable to contact them during the pass, the resident is required to make
contact. Collect calls will be accepted by staff when a resident’s pass is
located outside of the Victoria area. Passes are approved as per the Parole
Board of Canada policy.
13.
Consumption of alcohol or non-prescription drugs is not acceptable while
in residence at Manchester House. Likewise, possession of either in the
House is prohibited. Residents are required to provide a urine sample or
breathalyzer when requested by their parole officer.
14.
If a travel permit is required for a regular weekend pass or other pass, it is
the responsibility of the resident to acquire the permit from their parole
officer and to notify House staff at least two working days prior to
departure.
15.
Each resident will be given a copy of the Resident Manual to read and
keep for future reference prior to or upon arrival to Manchester House.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Residents should first present their complaints to their counsellor.
If this does not prove
satisfactory, they should present the problem to the House Director who will (1) attempt
to solve the problem in a reasonable length of time, and (2) inform the Parole Officer if
the matter looks to be an on-going one. If the resident is still not satisfied with the results
he can present the complaint to the Executive Director of the John Howard Society.
Further complaints can be taken to the CSC Senior Parole Officer. Counselling staff will
assist a resident in processing a complaint, if required.
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DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
The most drastic disciplinary course of action is a return to the institution because parole
has been violated, or the House is no longer willing to support an individual
(See
Criteria of Termination below ). This occurs when conditions of the parole have not been
kept especially special conditions concerning alcohol or drugs. However, the staff are
supportive and caring if things are not going smoothly and most situations can be
discussed with the view of resolving them in a way that will benefit the resident and still
be in line with the Manchester House philosophy. Lesser forms of discipline involve
early curfews, cancellation of passes, adjustment in allowance, etc.
Criteria of Termination:
Manchester House provides a valuable opportunity for federal inmates to re-integrate
into society. Being that bedspace is limited, termination for other than parole conditions
may be taken from time to time by the Society if it is felt that the opportunity that others
could benefit from is being wasted by a resident. The following are the basis on which
such a decision would be made:
1.
Non-adherence to the Resident Action Plan, or in the event that plans have
changed, an unwillingness to form new plans for a productive lifestyle
which are deemed adequate by Manchester House staff.
2.
Incompatibility with other residents to the extent that an individual's
presence:
a. places the individual or others in physical danger,
b. or is destructive to maintaining a constructive law-abiding atmosphere
in the House.
3.
Non-compliance with House rules such as curfews, no smoking bylaw,
staff requests, attendance at required House functions, etc.
4.
Lack of productivity. Residents are made aware from the beginning that
"serving time" is not good enough at Manchester House. There must be
some positive direction an individual is willing to put energy into.
[1 6 ]
MANCHESTER HOUSE POLICY
AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
As mentioned previously, this manual is available to residents in the main office.
It is
basically the rules and philosophy by which staff run the House, and base many of their
decisions. It expands on topics which may be of further interest to you, such as our:




"Dry" House Policy
Random Urinalysis Policy
Room Assignments
Bed checks, etc.
JOHN HOWARD JOB SEARCH
The John Howard Society provides employment assistance and training services through
the Job Search Program (see Community Resources). Residents at Manchester House can
use this resource as part of their search for employment. Some of the services offered by
the Job Search Program include:

Pre-employment counselling and assessment

Resumes

Labour market information

Job referrals as available

Employer approach techniques

Advocacy with employers

On-the-job training and initiatives

Educational and vocational training access

Referral to programs and services of Canada

Resource room with free access to computers, fax machine and internet
 ’s to the John Howard Society for pre-employment assistance
[1 7 ]
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Alcoholics Anonymous
Telephone: 250-383-0415 (24 Hours)
Brain Injury Society
830 Pembroke St., Victoria
Telephone: 250-598-9339
Camosun College
3100 Foul Bay Rd., Victoria
Telephone: 250-592-1556
Family Violence Prevention Society
PO Box 8611
Victoria, BC V8W 3S2
info@familyviolence.ca
John Howard Society, Job Search
2675 Bridge St., Victoria
Telephone: 250-386-3428
Library
735 Broughton St., Victoria
Telephone: 250-382-7241
LifeRing
Telephone: 1-888-920-2095
Men’s Trauma Centre
203 -1420 Quadra St., Victoria
Telephone: 250-381-MENS (6367)
Toll Free: 1-866-793-6367
[1 8 ]
Ministry of Social Services
940 Goldstream., Victoria
Telephone: 250-391-2244
Mustard Seed
625 Queens Ave., Victoria
Telephone: 250-385-0512
Narcotics Anonymous
Telephone: 250-383-3553 (24 Hours)
Need Crisis Line
Telephone: 250-386-6323 (24 Hours)
Social Insurance Numbers and Cards
595 Pandora Ave., Victoria
Telephone: 1-800-206-7218
Tsow-Tun Le Lum
Box 370
Capilano Rd., Lantzille
Telephone: 250-390-3123
University of Victoria
Telephone: 250-721-7211
Victoria City Police
850 Caledonia St., Victoria
Telephone: 250-995-7654
Victoria Parole Office
102 - 1230 Government St., Victoria
Telephone: 250-363-3267
YMCA
880 Courtney St., Victoria
Telephone: 250-386-7511
[1 9 ]
PHOTO’S OF MANCHESTER HOUSE
Main Floor Living Room
Main Floor Kitchen
Upstairs Living Room
Upstairs Kitchen
Main Floor Dining Room
Meeting Room
[2 0 ]