C2C - Program Summary  

    It is no secret that certain groups of offenders are at a higher risk of re-offending than the average offender population.  There are many different causes and exacerbating conditions that factor into this reality, including: race, gender, mental health concerns and socio-economic status.  The current project is aimed at supporting one of these high-risk groups; Aboriginal women who are suspected of having Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

    The consumption of alcohol while pregnant is the cause of FASD, which makes it 100% preventable although the effects, once present, are irreversible.  Prenatal alcohol exposure presents itself often through facial abnormalities, growth deficiencies and impairments in the central nervous system.  Damage to the central nervous system is considered to be the most debilitating aspect of FASD.  It includes: structural abnormalities of the brain; neurological deficits including impaired motor skills, poor coordination and visual problems; and behavioral and/or cognitive problems including mental handicaps, learning difficulties, poor impulse control, impaired social perception, and difficulties with memory, attention, reasoning and judgment (Manning, 2007). 

    The current estimates of FASD within the community is 9.1 cases per 1,000 and this number increases in the Aboriginal population. FASD is considered to be over-represented in correctional systems as all of the secondary disabilities associated with FASD make it incredibly difficult for an offender to make positive choices and avoid becoming re-involved with the legal system once they are released from custody (Burd, L., Selfridge, R.H., Klug, M.G., & Juelson, T., 2003).  Adults dealing with FASD who are involved with the law are most commonly charged with non-violent charges probation offences which they repeatedly commit thereby greatly increasing their recidivism (Chudley, 2007). 

     Aboriginal people as a whole are at a greater risk of initially becoming involved with the legal system and are at a higher risk of recidivism once they have been in custody.  In Alberta the provincial Aboriginal offender population comprises 38% of the overall offender population. The probability that an Aboriginal offender will re-offend is 18%; which is significantly higher than the non-Aboriginal population whose recidivism rate is only 11% (Correctional Service of Canada, 2001).

     Many of these high-risk offenders are facing many enormous barriers once released including: addiction issues, lack of housing, poor employment skills, low levels of education, poverty and a genuine lack of positive support from friends and family.

     It is the goal of C2C to help offenders overcome the barriers that exist for them through the use of a traditional Aboriginal cultural intervention coupled with a community support worker and post-incarceration Aboriginal elder support.   We will have experienced and caring members of the Aboriginal elder community come to FSCC on a contract basis to administer the intervention workshop entitled Mind, Body, Spirit.  During this time offenders will meet with the transitional support worker as well as Aboriginal elders who will be available to them on a weekly basis upon their release from the institution. They will also attend session on violence and anger management.  Offenders will learn about such issues as: addiction, self-image, respect and healing. 

     After the intervention offenders will continue to meet with the transitional support worker on a weekly basis until they are released from the institution.  They will continue to meet with the worker upon release and will do so for a period of six months to one year.  This is an important aspect to the program as it helps them to establish goals and form a relationship with a positive role model while they are still incarcerated.  The continued support from correctional setting to community living helps strengthen the positive supports in the offender’s life before they are even faced with the possibility of re-offending.

    Members of the Bissell Centre, Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre Psychology Department and the University of Alberta Occupational Therapy Department’s Occupational Performance Analysis Unit (OPAU) have all collaborated to bring this program to operational level.  Two cohorts are in the program. Funding was obtained from the Edmonton Fetal Alcohol Network to fund the program of these two cohorts. With the new funding just received from the Solicitor General’s office planning is in process to initiate three additional intakes for which program instructors and facilitators will be needed. The first intake is planned for September 22-25, 2008. Staggered intakes are anticipated after the initial workshops to facilitate admission of new offenders into the program, with the remaining two scheduled for completion by March 31, 2009.

References

Burd, L., Selfridge, R.H., Klug, M.G., & Juelson, T. (2003). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in the American Corrections System. J FAS INT 2003, 1, e14.

Chudley AE, Kilgour AR, Cranston M, & Edwards M. 2007. Challenges of diagnosis in fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the adult. Am J Med Genet Part C Semin Med Genet 145C:261–272.

Manning, Melanie and Hoyme, Eugene.  Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: A practical clinical approach to diagnosis. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews [0149-7634] yr: 2007 vol: 31 iss: 2 pg: 230-238.

Martell, R., Brintnell, E.S., Makokis, R & Smallacombe, W. (July, 2003) the Drum Program: Mind Body Spirit Project for Fort Saskatchewan Corrections Centre. Project proposal to Director Fort Saskatchewan Correction Centre.

Research Branch Correctional Service of Canada. (2001). The Relevance of a Cultural Adaptation for Aboriginals of the Reintegration Potential Reassessment Scale (RPRS)

Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre