FAQ
Questions
Answers
1) What are the causes of crime?
Crime has no single cause. There are many things that may increase the chance that a person will commit a crime. These things, called "risk factors" include: poverty, childhood abuse, unstable families, unemployment, underemployment, low levels of education, discrimination, lack of housing and addictions. The greater the number of "risk factors" present in one’s life, the greater the chance that they will become involved in crime.
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2) Does Edmonton John Howard Society only work with men?
No, Edmonton John Howard Society offers services to men, women and youth. We offer a Victims’ Assistance Program, Family Violence Prevention Centre, Youth Transition Advisors, Relapse Prevention Program, Intake and Employment services and Educational services. All of these programs are open to both males and females.
There are certain programs that are only available for men or young males, they include our Open Custody Residential Treatment Program, adult Halfway Houses and the Male Outreach Program.
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3) Does Edmonton John Howard Society only work with offenders?
No, Edmonton John Howard Society provides community based services to victims, offenders, ex-offenders, young persons, families and communities.
Our focus is on prevention, education, reform, advocacy and direct services aimed at reducing the incidence of crime in our community.
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4) I am a victim of crime. Can I receive help from your agency?
The Family Violence Prevention Centre (FVPC) offers a variety of services to individuals and families who are experiencing violence in their home. The following are a list of programs:
- Community Outreach
- Responding to Victims of Crime in the Chinese Community
- Furniture Donation and Moving program
- Partner Check Program
The FVPC also offers a Victims’ Assistance Program located in the Law Courts Building. This service is for victims of domestic violence who are going through the criminal court system.
Our Intake and Employment Counsellor and Youth Transition Advisors are also available to support victims through identification of community resources and referrals to appropriate agencies.
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5) What services can youth access at the Edmonton John Howard Society?
REE*START is a program available for youth 15 – 22 years of age. The Youth Transition Advisors work with the youth on employment preparation, support and advocacy, goal setting and referrals to outside agencies. They can also help with obtaining identification and training.
The Bridges Treatment Program at Howard House provides residence for males with status under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. This program offers mental health and/or addictions services. Youth are eligible for the program only through a referral. The youth must also have a custody and supervision sentence.
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6) Do you offer upgrading or other educational opportunities for the public?
Edmonton John Howard Society offers two types of educational opportunities:
- Public Legal Education provides presentations for grades 1 through 12 in Edmonton and surrounding area. Presentation topics include sharing and caring, responsibility, communicating emotions, rules and laws, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Presentations are also available in a community setting.
- Adult Transition Learning Centre (ATLC) is a private school that is accredited through Alberta Education. It specializes in literacy and numeracy upgrading and instruction up to a grade 9 level. ATLC offers a variety of courses and workshops in addition to one-on-one tutoring.
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7) What is a Criminal Record?
A criminal record is a document that contains information on the type of offence for which a person has been found guilty. It also contains personal information such as fingerprints and photographs. Any person who is 18 years of age or older will receive a criminal record if they have been convicted of a summary offence or an indictable offence. An adult criminal record is permanent; however, a person may apply for a pardon which seals, but does not destroy, their criminal record. This record limits a person’s ability to travel outside of Canada and to obtain jobs that require bonding.
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8) What is a Youth Court Record?
Any person who is between 12 and 17 years of age, who is found guilty of a summary or indictable offence, will have a youth court record. A youth court record is similar to an adult criminal record in that it contains similar information. However, youth court records are destroyed after a period of time depending on the seriousness of the crime. For more information or to view your Youth Court Record contact your local Police or RCMP.
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9) Who is eligible for a pardon?
Any person charged with a criminal offence as an adult can apply for a pardon. All community service hours, fines, surcharges, restitution, compensation, probation, conditional sentence, parole terms or period of incarceration must first be completed. Once the sentence has been completed there exists a waiting period in which a person must not have any outstanding charges or warrants. The waiting period is three years for summary offences and five years for indictable offences. At the end of your wait period you can then begin the pardon application process.
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10) Where can I obtain a pardon application or receive additional information on the process?
Edmonton John Howard Society provides applications and assistance in completing the pardon process. Applications are available at our downtown office for pick up or a request can be made to have it mailed to your location. Applications are also available at Provincial Court Buildings.
If you have more questions please call the Intake and Employment Counsellor at 780.428.7590 or contact the National Parole Board at 1.800.874.2652.
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11) What is the difference between Day Parole and Full Parole?
Day Parole allows offenders to participate in community based activities to prepare for release on full parole or statutory release. Offenders on day parole must return nightly to an institution or a halfway house unless authorized by the National Parole Board.
Full Parole allows the offender to serve the remainder of the sentence under supervision in the community.
Federal offenders generally become eligible for day parole six months before their full parole eligibility date or three years prior to their release date in cases of offenders serving life sentences.
An offender must usually serve the first third, or the first seven years, whichever is less, of any sentence of imprisonment before being eligible for full parole. Different rules apply for offenders serving life sentences for murder or indeterminate sentences.
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12) What is Statutory Release?
Statutory Release is not the same as parole. While statutory release and parole are both forms of conditional release that require offenders to conform to a set of release conditions and supervision, statutory release is a legal provision that requires most offenders to serve the final third of their sentence in the community. Parole, on the other hand, is subject to a discretionary decision made by the National Parole Board. Inmates are normally eligible to be considered for parole after serving one-third of their sentence, or seven years, whichever is less.
Offenders on both forms of release may be returned to prison if they commit a new offence or fail to abide by their release conditions.
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