Funded by and under the authority of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Program Description

The John Howard Society of Niagara’s Justice Services Program is designed to assist Probation and Parole Officers with the supervision of low risk clients, through monitoring of conditions on the probation order.

The Justice Services Program will assist in the rehabilitation of offenders and increase the safety of the community through the use of volunteers. The program will develop and maintain ties between offenders and the community by encouraging citizens to participate, as volunteers working with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services staff members, in activities designed to help offenders become law-abiding citizens.

Program Goals

• To enhance the supervision services of the Probation and Parole office through the use of qualified, trained volunteers in an effort to further increase public safety.
• To facilitate community volunteer involvement in Corrections
• To expose probationers to an array of positive role models from the community in an attempt to deter future criminal behaviour.
• To assist Probation and Parole Officers with various agreed upon duties associated with casework and court functions.
• To provide assistance to other support areas within Probation and Parole offices, in an effort to enhance efficiency of services.

Volunteers play an important role in supporting the goals of Probation and Parole.

Probation and Parole

What is the difference between Probation and Parole?

Probation is a court order imposed by a judge, usually instead of, but sometimes in addition to, a term of imprisonment. Probation authorizes an offender to live in the community under supervision and subject to certain conditions.

Parole is a conditional release from a correctional institute and may be granted after an offender has served part of the sentence in an institution. An offender who is granted parole may then live in the community under supervision and subject to certain conditions until the sentence being served is satisfied.

Role of the Volunteer

Volunteers provide the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and its clients with a link to the community where the offender is to be reintegrated as a law-abiding citizen.

Supervised by a full time Coordinator and supported by a Probation and Parole Officer, the Volunteer would assist with the monitoring of the terms of a probation order, and provide guidance, counselling and services of a rehabilitative nature to offenders. In addition to this, the Volunteer may provide assistance with the court intake process as well as assistance with administrative functions of support staff of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Some volunteer opportunities include:

• Volunteer Probation Officer, Evening Reporting Program (St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls)
• Court Intake Volunteer (St. Catharines and Welland)
• Office Assistant Volunteer
• Employment Assistance Volunteer
• Education and Life Skills Volunteer

In the arena of human life the honours and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action.- Aristotle

Why Volunteer?

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services encourages and supports community involvement in correctional programs as it provides opportunities to involve dedicated people who have an interest in making a difference. Volunteer participation has proven to have a positive impact on offenders, as they are seen as “positive role models” and bring pro-social attitudes, norms, beliefs and values. Volunteers within Probation and Parole contribute their time and effort and bring a wealth of information, knowledge and skills to support the clients served.

Volunteer Orientation

Volunteers must be screened to ensure the appropriateness of the individual for the program. There is a process each person must completed before they are accepted as a Volunteer. An application form must be completed, along with a screening interview with the Program Coordinator. Screening will include receipt of resume, one on one interview, police/criminal records check and reference checks.

Training is provided to familiarize the Volunteer with the various functions and responsibilities under each of the volunteer positions. It is mandatory that potential volunteers attend all training which covers Probation and Parole legislation, law, social work, interviewing and counselling skills, as well as policies and procedures.

We are currently seeking volunteers in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland. If you would like to make a contribution to this worthwhile program, please contact us at the number below.

Ian DeLong
Justice Services Program – Volunteer Coordinator
John Howard Society of Niagara
210 King Street
St. Catharines, ON  L2R 3J9
Phone: (905) 682-2657 ext. 260
Fax: (905) 984-6918
Email:  idelong@jhs-niagara.ca