VIMHS
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
Release from jail into homelessness highlighted in new report
Release from jail into homelessness highlighted in new report
Release from jail into homelessness highlighted in new report
Sunday 27th July 2025
Explore the link between jail releases and homelessness in Ontario with insights from experts on People First Radio.
31 minutes
Informative
Compassionate
Supportive
Engaging
Eye-opening
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Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Community & Support Networks
Policy & Advocacy
Body & Mind
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Get the buttons here!Homelessness After Jail: A Crisis Explored
Episode Overview
- Over 7,000 individuals released from Ontario jails last year had no fixed address.
- 80% of inmates in Ontario's provincial jails are on remand.
- Transitional supportive housing is proposed to prevent homelessness post-release.
- Maintaining income assistance during short incarcerations can prevent housing loss.
- Coordination between corrections, housing, and healthcare is crucial for effective reintegration.
"Released from jail with no phone, no money, no support system, nowhere to go."
Imagine being released from jail with nowhere to go – a reality faced by over 7,000 individuals in Ontario last year, according to the John Howard Society of Ontario's report, "From Incarceration to Encampment". This episode of People First Radio, hosted by Joe Pugh, shines a light on this pressing issue, featuring insights from Safiya Hussain, Director of Policy at the John Howard Society of Ontario, and Manj Tour, Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Victoria.
The episode explores the alarming statistic that 80% of people in Ontario's provincial jails are there on remand, awaiting trial without a conviction. Hussain and Tour discuss the challenges faced by those released without a fixed address and the societal impacts of such releases. They highlight the need for transitional supportive housing and propose solutions like maintaining income assistance during short incarcerations to prevent housing loss.
You'll hear about the importance of coordinated efforts between corrections, housing, and healthcare systems to address these issues effectively. The episode is a call for urgent action to bridge the gap between incarceration and reintegration, aiming to reduce homelessness and improve public safety. If you're interested in understanding the complex relationship between the justice system and homelessness, this episode offers a compelling narrative that is both informative and empathetic.