MAY 1, 2012 ARTICLE-SUCCESS!!!
This success was also mentionedby Lynn Strachan at Council on April 30. Kudos to all involved.
Ex-con dropoffs drying up: officials
‘No matter where we turned, we ran into roadblocks’
By CHERYL BROWNE - Barrie Examiner
Posted 8 hours ago
It takes a village to raise a ruckus.
In 2009, after a murder, rape and assault in a three-week period, a group of people began to talk about the fear they felt walking the streets in Barrie.
Once business owners, residents and visitors admitted they no longer felt safe downtown, they got together to form the Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association and decided to do something about it.
With Mayor Jeff Lehman and Ward 2 Coun. Lynn Strachan joining their ranks, Ben Strudwick and Mike Fox and about 25 other neighbours, started questioning the number of former inmates from Penetanguishene’s Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC) dropped off at the Barrie bus shelter who never made it home.
“It turns out, we were the dumping ground for those who stayed and chose not to carry on to their intended destination,” Fox said.
“We knew the numbers of people being dropped off were very high. But it soon became very evident that we couldn’t get numbers from anybody. No matter where we turned, we ran into roadblocks.”
After about a year of not hearing any answers, the little group filled out a Freedom of Information Act request and waited to find out exactly how many ex-convicts were being dropped off in Barrie.
It turns out they were right.
There are about 1,248 freshly released prisoners from the CNCC each year.
During the period between January 2009 and October 2010, 2,563 bus tickets were allocated at a cost of $114,689, but only 2,450 tickets were claimed.
That left roughly 113 people each year not making their connection, and potentially leaning on the already overworked social services of Barrie.
Last fall, Strachan approached city council, and when newly elected Barrie MPP Rod Jackson stepped up to the plate and wrote the Minister of Community and Correctional Services Madeleine Meilleur demanding answers.
They received a letter in February indicating Meilleur had reviewed the situation and didn’t believe any changes were necessary.
“I found the response letter to be totally unsatisfactory,” Jackson said after question period on Monday.
He pushed a little harder, met with her in early March, and they set up a meeting with the Ward 2 neighbourhood association to discuss what could be done.
Last Wednesday, Jackson, Strachan, Strudwick and a few others met with both Meilleur and the superintendent of the CNCC, Robyn Kasla.
“We weren’t looking to pick a fight with anyone, we just wanted it resolved,” Jackson said.
As it turns out, CNCC has changed its practices in the last two years.
Roughly since around the time the neighbourhood association began asking questions.
Now, instead of offering bus tickets to ex-convicts that were purportedly re-saleable, they give out separate vouchers the bus driver rips in half; one part is sent back to the prison for their records and tracking capabilities.
With more than 60 dropoffs who didn’t make their connection two years ago, it’s down to four or five a year who don’t get on the bus, the downtown citizens were told.
“We certainly felt a change in their attitude, a lot more positive than it had been,” Strudwick said. “The minister was open to suggestions and I think we were taken seriously.”
As for Jackson, the new member of parliament on the block, he admits he was a little surprised things worked out — so quickly — for the better.
“I was surprised. I expected them to meet with us and report back to us. But their staff must have reviewed the (neighbourhood association’s) report and found staff at some level was keeping track of it.
“I’m just happy with the outcome.”
twitter.com/CherylBrowne1
GOOD NEWS TO BE SHARED-APRIL 28, 2012
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I wish to express our gratitude to Rod Jackson, MPP, and Lynn Strachan, Councillor Ward 2, for their support and hard work in bringing this matter before the Minister of Correctional Services, and expediting this resolution. Below is Rod Jachkson's press release dealing with the release of individuals from the C.N.C.C. As it states, Ron, Lynn Strachan, Kelly McKenna (Rod's Executive Assistant), Jack Garner and I were in Toronto Wednesday to meet with the Minister. The meeting went very well as you can see from the realease. It seems that action by our Committee, with the help of our Ward 2 councillor, Lynn Strachan, and city council has moved the Ministry to make changes to their procedure. We are still waiting to find out exactly what and how, but it seems to have made a signifigant improvement. The changes will benefit the City of Barrie as well as the released individuals. This is a win/win situation, and we should be very happy with our efforts to bring change to the process. Special thanks to our Kelly who worked so hard and long to generate the report which has driven us to seek improvements in the process. Without her efforts, I doubt that any of this would have transpired. This will help to solve part of the problems in the west end, but there is much more to accomplish. We need to be supportive of the new bus route plan which could lead to out of town bus connections being moved to locations out of the heart of the downtown, and to find ways to help implement the "under-one-roof" concept for the social services, to help them re-locate themselves slightly out of the downtown core. The u1r concept has worked well in other communities such as Cambridge, and benefits the City as well as the clientelle. Regards, Ben
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MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 13, 2012
Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association
Meeting Minutes, March 13, 2012
Present: Jack, Bruce, Steve, Phyllis, Janet, Ben, Bryan, Jayne, Kelly, David
Invited Guests: Caroline Smith, Trustee for the Board of Education
Don McNeil, Allandale Neighbourhood Association
1. Caroline Smith, who sits on the Board of Trustees for the Board of Education joined us to discuss and answer questions on what is happening with Barrie Central Collegiate, and what the future might hold for the school. The problem seems to lie in that fact that in the last seven years there has been a substantial She expressed that if a partnership with a University could be arranged then there would be a possibility that the school would remain. Nothing is going to happen until the Province decides in what cities the Universities will be located. The guidelines to apply will not be available until the fall.
2. Don McNeil a member of the Allandale Neighbourhood Association updated us on some of the issues they are concerned about, and are therefore working on to
· The owner of the plaza at Essa & Tiffin has agreed to put in better lighting in the parking lot to ensure safety at night.
· He was happy to report that the methadone clinic in that plaza was working out well and that there were no troubles to report.
· A Neighbourhood Watch program has been proven difficult to organize.
· The province is ruling that single family home owners can rent out their basements as in-law suites or apartments. This, they feel would affect the area in a negative way. Enforcements of fire and property standards will be required.
· The train station is Allandale’s main focus, and the Go Train is open & operating. Walking tours of the old rail lines are being planned, and there will be an Open House in April.
3. Follow ups to last months’ minutes:
· Lynn is waiting for a response to her request in regards to having the telephone kiosks removed at Maple & Dunlop.
· Jack updated us on the status of the boarding & lodging house inspections. He reported that most of all the infractions have been resolved at this time.
· Video cameras for the downtown are moving forward.
· Minimum separation distances for tattoo parlours, cheque cashing, etc. was put into force and is in effect through a by-law enacted in late 2011. Council has now approved the minimum distances for bars and nightclubs and this will go into effect in a matter of weeks.
· Bryan will follow up on a previous letter written to the AGCO regarding the promotion of liquor sales in hair salons. We would like answers to questions such as who is responsible for making these decisions, and who was consulted, from which groups, and from what areas.
· We can now be followed on face book as the Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association, and on twitter @BarrieDNA.
4. New Business:
Ben will ask for input as to where the City stands on people smoking in public areas such as streets and parks.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm
Next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 11.12 @7pm.
LINKS TO INTERVIEW - MARCH 19, 2012
AGENDA, MARCH 13, 2012 MEETING
Short, Sweet and Meaty Agenda for March 13 Meeting.
B.D.N.A. MEETING AGENDA
FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012
- Caroline Smith – about Central and the S.C.S.B. position.
- Don McNeil-about the Allandale Neighbourhood Association
- Follow ups to last months minutes:
-social media and networking
-chimney swifts and related issues (Milligan’s Pond)
-video cameras
-minimum separation distances, bars – tattoo parlours-rooming houses
-bdl inspections-Jack
-telephone kiosks at Maple and Dunlop
-new A.G.C.O. laws
4. Any new business.
MINUTES OF THE FEB. 8 MEETING-2012
Crime Prevention and Long Term Planning Meeting
Minutes – February 8. 12
Present: Ben, Sharon, Mike, Judy, Bryan, Jayne, Janet, Jack, Martha
Invited Guests: Amy Courser, Phyllis Tremblay, Susanne Robinson
1 – Minutes of meeting held on January 11.12 – Approved.
2 – Amy Courser discussed the impact of social media and networking, and how we as a committee might be able to attract more people by using certain technologies available to us, in order to let people know that the BDNA exists. We were told that the most effective ways to communicate with a large number of people would be through e-mail, face book, mail chimp, twitter & newsletters.
3 – A most informative and interesting presentation on Chimney Swifts was delivered by Phyllis Tremblay who is the Swift Watch Regional Co-ordinator. The club was founded in 1951. On May 23rd 2012 they will be hosting a Swift Watching field trip for anyone who is interested. Hopefully this could become an added attraction to downtown Barrie. To find out more you can visit their website at www.bereretonfieldnaturalists.org.
4 – Updates & follow – ups on issues we have been working on:
-Minimum separation distance between bars/boarding houses (lodgings)
This issue should come up for discussions in Council sometime in Feb. or March.
-Inspection of boarding lodging and rooming houses:
Chris Alexander is doing a wonderful job of inspecting properties of concern, looking for violations. Raising standards, registering, and regulating boarding houses will be a benefit to everyone. According to Jack many of the boarding houses are being upgraded by inspections. A number of places have been found to be unlicensed & are forced to be both licensed & conformed to regulations.
-Video Cameras:
There has been $125,000.00 budgeted from the City, which is only half of the proposed cost for the installation of video cameras downtown. The other half is being requested from the Provincial Government. The City has requested an application for these funds but has not as yet received the applications from the Government.
-Dropped off released offenders - Man living in car – Phone booths on Dunlop St.
Ben has not received any response from Lynn to his emails regarding these issues.
-Liquor licenses for small business:
Bryan has not as yet received a response to his inquiry from Gary White who is the Manager for Liquor Eligibility for the LCBO.
Jack will invite Caroline Smith to our next meeting so she can fill us in as to what is happening with Barrie Central Collegiate.
-The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday March 13th at 7 p.m in the Sir Robert Barrie Room at City Hall.
BARRIE EXAMINER ARTICLE- CNCC RELEASE PROGRAM
This article in the Examiner has created a mild storm of comment. Check it out on our facebook page.
Ex-con drops bashed
Politicians want province to curb the flow of former superjail inmates being dropped off in Barrie
By CHERYL BROWNE - Barrie Examiner
Posted 12 hours ago
Why do 5% of all former Penetanguishene inmates end up in Barrie?
In an effort to find out, Coun. Lynn Strachan, Barrie MPP Rod Jackson and the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) sent their concerns regarding the offender release practice to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Currently, Penetanguishene’s Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC) drops released inmates at the downtown Barrie bus station six times a week.
A response received Feb. 24 by the minister of correctional services Madeleine Meilleur indicated, “We have reviewed our policies concerning the release of individuals from custody and these policies are appropriate.”
“The response was unsatisfactory,” Jackson said Tuesday. “It doesn’t address our issues at all. We’re carrying the burden of reintegrating people into society in a city that already has one of the highest unemployment rates in Canada. We’re having a hard time finding employment for our own population without adding to that burden.”
Last year, it was reported that one in five prisoners is homeless when they go to jail, and one-third are homeless when they get out.
When polled, one in 10 prisoners said they had no idea where they would go when released.
Currently, there are 1,034 inmates at CNCC.
Jane Kovarikova, Jackson’s legislative assistant, says an officer with the adult institutional services at the ministry confirmed three or four people are transported daily (except Sundays) to the Barrie bus terminal.
That’s between 936 to 1,248 ex-convicts transferred through the Barrie bus station each year.
During the period of January 2009 to mid-October 2010, 2,563 bus tickets were allocated at a cost of $114,689, yet only 2,450 tickets were claimed.
That’s 113 people who hopped out of the correctional services van in a 20-month period who were either picked up by a friend, or are still hanging around Barrie.
“I’m quite astounded the number is that high,” said Staff Sgt. Bruce Bowles.
The bus terminal police sub-station looks out over where the regularly scheduled drop-offs occur.
Bowles said he’s seen the large white, unmarked van drop off passengers, and said many of them use the bus ticket they’ve been given to return to their hometown.
However, he said he does run into ex-convicts who get into trouble again, either by breaching conditions of their parole by shoplifting or drinking in public, he said.
“Whatever it is, they’re clearly doing something wrong for us to pick them up and then they go back into the process again,” he said.
Bowles agreed Barrie’s social service resources are stretched to the limit now.
“Our social resources are strained at the best of times,” Bowles said. “If you add 113 people a year, that’s a significant amount on our system.”
Many people have expressed concerns about the downtown core to Mike Fox, a member of Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association.
“Everyone’s concerned about the homeless people,” Fox said. “Are they the problem? Probably not. They’re the ones coming into town to get services. But people come and take advantage of them, that’s the problem.”
Fox worries that dropping CNCC’s former inmates in Barrie’s downtown means they will invariably meet up with the wrong crowd, too.
“Then there’s a higher likelihood they’ll fall into bad activities or vices and we don’t have the ability to look after them here,” he said.
CNCC’s van doesn’t drive to Orillia, which is four kilometres closer than Barrie, to drop off their charges and neither does the bus from the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay. It drives past Peterborough, only 42 kilometres away from the facility, down to Oshawa, which is 80 kilometres away from the facility.
Jackson said the current arrangement calls for the former inmates to be delivered to a Census Metropolitan Area, a designation which both Barrie and Oshawa share.
“I’ve asked to meet with Minister (Madeline) Meilleur to discuss it,” Jackson said. “There’s a solution out there, we just haven’t thought of it yet.”
twitter.com/CherylBrowne1
BARRIE ADVANCE ARTICLE RE: THE C.N.C.C. RELEASE PROGRAM
Feb 28, 2012 - 6:00 AM
Ex-prisoners vulnerable downtown: councillor
BARRIE - Ontario’s Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services simply doesn’t understand how vulnerable newly released prisoners are as they end up in downtown Barrie, said Ward 2 Coun. Lynn Strachan.
Last fall, Barrie council asked the province to review its prisoner release guidelines – and two weeks ago Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur said its policies are “appropriate.”
In a Feb. 13 letter to the city, she said, “Individuals released from custody have satisfied their court-ordered terms of incarceration and are free to live and work in the community of their choice, unless bound by a court-ordered probation order which imposes residency conditions.
“When inmates who do not have transportation funds or funds to travel are released from custody, the ministry’s policy is to provide these inmates with a non-refundable ticket for the most economical mode of transportation.”
Strachan said that answer does not assuage concerns about Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC) ex-cons arriving at the downtown bus terminal and getting into trouble.
“Perhaps (Meilleur) doesn’t fully understand the issues we’re having,” she said.
“People are dropped off and given a ticket to go somewhere. Sometimes, those people are being preyed upon. It’s a vulnerable population just being released from prison and we want to make sure they get to their destination safely.
“They get preyed upon or they end up staying in Barrie where they do not have the supports they need to reintegrate into the community.”
The bus station is steps away from where drug deals occur and just a short walk from where prostitutes ply their trade.
Former inmates arriving and waiting for a bus connection often do not have money for a meal. They have only what they had when they entered custody.
Meilleur added the CNCC assists in discharge planning and offers suggestions for community resources.
“Individuals who are identified during discharge planning as having special needs and requiring assistance may be met at the bus terminal by a case worker who can assist them with obtaining tickets and ensuring that they are safely on their way,” the minister added.
Barrie MPP Rod Jackson said he’d like to meet with Meilleur to discuss how to ensure some communities, like Barrie, are supported as they help ex-cons.
“We have a responsibility to integrate these people who’ve done their time. At the same time, I don’t think any one community should carry a greater burden,” he said.
“A lot coming out of the superjail in Penetang come from all over Ontario. They end up in Barrie. It’s the first place people get dropped off and we have a plethora of services near the bus station. We end up taking on ex-cons from all over Ontario. I don’t think that’s fair.”
ACTIVITY UPDATE - FEB. 24, 2012
Lynn