reintegration program at smCC - Government of the Northwest ...

January 2008
Volume 12 • Issue 1
The South Mackenzie Correctional
Centre (SMCC) and Regional
Probation Services in Hay River are
taking an innovative approach to
rehabilitative programming through
the development of a specialized
Reintegration Unit and the creation of
Community Reintegration Teams.
Over the last few years, it has
become clear that reintegration
programming is very important.
Historically, offenders have had access
to programs in jail to help them deal
with the reasons they commit crimes,
but more could be done by the facility
and probation staff to create release
plans that would allow for a more
supportive and smoother transition
back to the community.
Research has shown that there
are “road blocks” that offenders
encounter upon release. If not
addressed prior to release, often the
offender becomes overwhelmed and
slips back into a criminal lifestyle. The
reintegration program was designed
to reduce these barriers.
The program begins with two
weeks of classroom work. Offenders
learn to overcome obstacles and
develop their own plans for dealing
with their issues. The most common
issues are employment, housing,
money management, education,
healthy living and relationships.
Offenders also learn about restorative
justice, living under supervision and
relapse prevention.
Following the classroom exercises,
each participant goes out into the
community to put their plan to
work. They continue to live at the
correctional centre, but are allowed to
leave for a few hours each day to take
part in approved activities. Once they
obtain work and have an income of
A Newsletter for Employees of the
Government of the Northwest Territories
Reintegration Program at SMCC
their own, they must budget their own
money. Staff will help them to open
bank accounts; for some offenders,
this is the first time they have had an
account to manage.
Housing options are explored.
Participants are required to budget
money for accommodations upon
release. This usually includes rent,
damage deposits, household items and
clothing. At the same time, offenders
re-establish child support payments,
where applicable, make payments on
outstanding bills and restitution, and
set aside savings.
A working partnership was
developed between SMCC, probation
services and many community
agencies, including the RCMP, elders,
wellness workers, community justice
committees, community reintegration
teams, career development officers
and band councils. Together, they form
a support system for the offender
outside the facility.
The pilot program launched in May
2007 and will be reviewed early in
2008. Results so far are encouraging
and they expect to offer the program
on an ongoing basis at SMCC. In time,
they hope to expand the
program to other
facilities and communities.
Submitted by
Corrections Staff

Bits
ANDBites
Back row, L to R: Pat Burke, Tracy MacPherson, Peter Paulette, Tom Wasylyshyn, Brad Brake,
Robert Langevin, Jerry Fryer and James MacDonald. Front row, L to R: Greg Heron, Joan
Lepine, Gail Steed, Lois Mezenberg, Lillian Greenland and Andrea Steed.
Justice, Corrections Services, recently held a Corrections Entry Level Training
program in Fort Smith for employees of the Territorial Women’s Correctional
Centre and the River Ridge Correctional Centre. The program had nine successful
candidates who all worked exceptionally hard over the four-week program. A
big thanks goes out to the Coordinator/Instructor Tracy MacPherson and Facility
Instructors (Greg Heron, Pat Burke, Andrea Steed, James MacDonald, Steve Beck
and Janelle Minute) without whose hard work, commitment and dedication, this
program would not have been the success that it was.
L to R: Heather Webb, Angela Watson,
Claudia Parker, Norm and Debbie Modeste.
Update from Athens…
Congratulations to Debbie Modeste
(October’s One of Our Own) and Angela
Watson, both from Stanton’s Eye
Clinic, who participated in The Arthritis
Society’s Joints in Motion Marathon
in Athens, Greece, and together, with
their group, raised over $31,500.
Debbie, who’s mother passed away
due to complications from Rheumatoid
Arthritis, tells us it was an awe-inspiring
trip and hopes to do another one in a
year or two!
Interns from Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Behchoko and Inuvik gathered in Yellowknife
to attend a two-day workshop and had the opportunity to watch their newly elected
Legislative Assembly in action. The Northern Graduates Employment Program (NGEP) is
a one-year internship program that began in 2001. Since then, over 300 northern postsecondary
grads have taken part in the program, with over 75 of the interns from the
first five years still with the GNWT today. If you have any questions about the internship
program, contact your client services office or e-mail CHRS@gov.nt.ca
L to R: Darin Reeves (A/Director of Corrections),
Marie MacDonald and Warren Gillis (Warden,
RRCC).
Marie MacDonald accepts the Exemplary
Service Medal on behalf of her late husband
Ian MacDonald. Ian was recognized
for giving over 30 years of service and
dedication to both staff and offenders as a
mentor and caregiver.
L to R: Richard Feil, Arleen Vuorela and Gail
McCurdy.
The folks at the Audit Bureau send
big thanks of appreciation for everyone
who supported their 2nd Annual Chili
Lunch. With your help they raised $632
to donate to the Salvation Army. If you
missed out on the Spicy Chicken Chili this
year, be sure to watch for it again next
year!
Microsoft 2007 Office Upgrade
The Technology Service Centre
(TSC) is developing a plan to upgrade
GNWT computers supported by
the TSC to Microsoft Office 2007.
Microsoft Office includes Word, Excel,
Outlook, Access and PowerPoint.
Since Microsoft Office 2007 has
a different “look and feel” from
Office 2000 that many users may
be unfamiliar with, the TSC will
be conducting pilot testing with a
selection of users in various GNWT
departments to identify training
needs. Upgrades are expected
to occur during the first half of
2008, depending on departmental
availability. Check the TSC web site
at www.tsc.gov.nt.ca for additional
information and updates on the
progress of the Microsoft Office 2007
upgrade.
Submitted by Alayna Ward, TSC
UN Delegation
On December 5, 2007, our own
Pauline Gordon, Assistant Deputy
Minister of Education, Culture and
Employment, delivered the keynote
address to the 10th Annual UN Student
Human Rights Conference in New York,
NY. This year’s theme was “Recognizing
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
Pauline was invited to participate in
the conference as part of a delegation
from Yellowknife. She spoke to Youth
delegates from the US, Canada, Mexico
and the Dominican Republic about
how four generations of her family had
overcome human rights injustices and
how culture-based education is instilling
pride in our Northern students today.
Over the course of the conference, the
students were tasked with drafting a
plan of action that was presented to the
UN General Assembly.
“It was awesome,” Pauline commented.
“Our Northern kids really provided great
input into what it meant to be Indigenous,
and the importance of understanding and
strengthening culture.” The team from
Yellowknife had been meeting for weeks
to prepare for the conference, participating
in sessions that featured teachers and
people from local businesses, organizations,
government and Aboriginal councils
who worked with students to share their
knowledge.
In addition to a lot of hard work, the
Northern team had the opportunity to
attend a hockey game.
“At one point, our group caught a
glimpse of another Canadian group of
Maple Leafs fans at the hockey game… We
ended up all huddled together singing Oh
Canada!” described Pauline. “That was a
great moment!”
The Bear Facts – It’s your newsletter! Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Send us a fax us @ (867) 873-0629 or drop us a line at bearfacts@gov.nt.ca
École Sir John Franklin delegation to the United
Nations. Back row, L to R: Aboriginal Headstart
Coordinator and YK1 Trustee Reanna Erasmus,
Colin Burgin, Keenan Kakfwi; teachers Alison
Cartwright, Scott Willoughby and DiAnn Blesse;
parent Brenda Dragon and Zach Potts. Front row,
L to R: ADM Pauline Gordon, Joanne Speakman,
Chloe Smith and Elora Braden.
Submitted by Mieke Cameron, Principal,
École Sir John Franklin

Keeping Tracks Keeping Tracks Keeping Tra
ITI
Congratulations to Liette Deyelle on
her promotion to BIP Officer.
The
Department of
Industry, Tourism
and Investment
said goodbye to
35-year veteran
Gary Tees. Gary
has retired from
his position of
Regional Parks
Development
Coordinator in the North Slave Office
and plans to spend his time around
town on the music circuit playing his
bass guitar with “Rick and the Relics.”
No doubt, Gary leaves behind some very
big shoes to fill!
Aurora College
Gloria Bott joins College staff as the
Health Programs Instructor.
Executive
Welcome to Tara Naugler, who
joins the Devolution Office for a twoyear
transfer assignment as Assistant
Negotiator.
HR
Welcome to Eileen Woods,
Succession and Workforce Planning
Officer.
SHSSA
A warm welcome to Michelle
Shelton, Community Health Nurse.
BDHSSA
Welcome to: Anne Reading,
Nurse-in-Charge and Linda Thomas,
Community Health Nurse, Paulatuk;
Lindsay Kavalench, Community
Social Worker, Tuktoyaktuk; and Nan
Maxwell, Community Health Nurse,
Inuvik. Congratulations to Rayleen
Swansen on her promotion to Manager,
Community Health Centre, Inuvik.
YKHSSA
Corliss McCloskey moves over as
Case Manager, Adult Services.
DCHSSA
Welcome to Karen Balsillie, Home
Care Nurse. Tracy Humphrey transfers
to Manager, Continuing Care, and
Suezie Koropeski is promoted to Nursein-Charge.
Tlicho Community Services
Agency
A warm welcome to Naomi Perry,
Community Health Nurse.
Stanton
Charlene Doyle, Registered Nurse,
joins the staff at Stanton.
DAIIR
Welcome to Owen Everts-Lind,
Senior Policy Advisor.
DOT
Three new faces at DOT this
month: Richard Jorge, Senior Building
and Planning Officer; Terri Bugg,
Environmental Analyst; and Lorne
Vannelli, Informatics Business Analyst.
Justice
Greetings and welcome to Laura
Pantermoller, Relief Institutional
Nurse, and Kell McLaughlin, Legislative
Counsel I. Congratulations to Karan
Shaner on her promotion to Assistant
Deputy Minister (Attorney General).
After 15
years with the
Department of
Justice, Reg Tolton
is retiring and
moving south. Reg
has been a valued
colleague and
advisor to many.
He is respected for
his logical analysis, integrity, wisdom
and (sometimes painful) honesty. Reg
has worked for Justice as a lawyer,
Director of Legal Division and, most
recently, Assistant Deputy Minister
(Attorney General). Many will miss Reg’s
leadership and sense of humour!
WCB
Fond farewell wishes go out to:
Sarah McDermott, moving over to
the Department of Justice; Carol
Ferguson, moving with her family to
Saskatchewan; Debbie Evans, retiring
to sunny Florida; and Greg Arsenault,
heading on to other endeavours.
HSS
Health Service Administration in
Inuvik welcome: Jenetta Day, Manager
of Vital Statistics; Al Rice, NIHB
Program Advisor; Marilyn Rogers, HMIS
Specialist; and Andrew Rice, Insured
Services Coordinator.
NWTHC
Congratulations to Chris Hewitt on
his promotion to Director, Nahendeh, in
Fort Simpson.
BDIC
After 16 years
with the GNWT,
Afzal Currimbhoy
will be retiring
from his position as
Director, Business
Development, with
the NWT Business
Development and
Investment Corporation. Afzal plans to
travel the world and spend more time
with his granddaughter. All the best,
and your wealth of knowledge will be
sorely missed!