Research
& Advocacy
Whether as a stand-alone organization or through a collective voice with partners, SLSC strives to be a well-informed and strong advocate to meaningfully address social and criminal justice issues.
We conduct research projects every year that respond to the evolving landscape of criminal justice issues in Canada, and we often participate in research studies conducted by others. For us, part of being an informed advocate means conducting research that is relevant to and informed by our members, who see firsthand the issues impacting our communities.
By using what we learn, SLSC can actively engage with others to bring perspectives and expertise from across our network. Likewise, we can share perspectives and expertise from others with our network to help keep them informed about the most up to date evidence and practices that can benefit their communities.
If you are interested in SLSC’s research projects, or interested in getting us involved with research or advocacy you are doing, please reach out to the SLSC team: info@stleonards.ca.
Current Priorities
SLSC regularly seeks information from our members on what they consider to be their most pressing local and national issues. We review and organize this information into themes that guide our activities. Currently, our four priority areas are:
- promoting healthy environments and improving access to health and mental health care for criminalized and marginalized populations;
- enhancing community corrections capacity for integration supports through adequate resources and communications with Federal partners;
- establishing meaningful access to safe, affordable housing; and,
- raising awareness about community-based criminal and social justice services that directly contribute to safer, supported, and healthier communities.
We see these four priorities as being connected in ways that significantly affect justice-involved people and the broader public. Our small but dedicated team of staff and volunteers strive to take on activities each year that focus on meaningfully addressing these issues from a national perspective.
Research
SLSC's Research
Every year, SLSC published various reports. Some are prepared as a final product of funded research projects, whereas others are prepared on a topic that is of particular interest to SLSC, our members, and/or our partners. These other reports are often prepared by placement students and volunteers, without whose help we wouldn’t be able to prepare. Some recent research reports include:
- Young Adults and the Definition of Youth Within the Criminal Justice System (2022)
- Infrastructure, Intersections, and Innovation: Understanding Community-based Residential Facilities Within a Shifting COVID-19 Landscape (funded by Public Safety Canada, 2021)
- Tips for Persons with Criminal Records Returning to the Community (2021)
- Life(r)’s Work: Supporting a Modernized Strategy for Life-Sentenced People in Canada (funded by Public Safety Canada, 2020)
- A Framework for Legal Analysis: The Aging & Elderly Prison Population (2019)
- Position Paper on Community Supports: Alternatives to Traditional Approaches (funded by Parole Board of Canada, 2019)
- Beyond Custody: Positive Pathways to Housing for Youth in Conflict with the Law (funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, 2018)
To view all of SLSC’s research and other reports, visit our Resource Library.
Participating in Research
When opportunities arise, SLSC participates in and/or supports research conducted by others. SLSC is currently working on the following collaborative research initiatives:
- Wilfrid Laurier University and York University: Pursuing Justice: Bilateral Interactions Among the Criminal Justice and Housing Sectors for Preventing Youth Homelessness
- Canadian Public Health Association: Normalizing conversations: Engaging public health, public safety and communities to build capacity for a public health approach to substance use
Additionally, below are some examples of research projects and consultations conducted by others that we have participated in in the past:
- The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights: Human Rights of Federally Sentenced Persons (2021)
- Office of the Correctional Investigator & Canadian Human Rights Commission: Aging and Dying in Prison: An Investigation into the Experiences of Older Individuals in Federal Custody (2019)
- Citizen Advisory Committee: 2017-2018 Citizen Advisory Committees Annual Report (2018)
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: Supporting Reintegration in Corrections by Addressing Problematic Substance Use: An Environmental Scan (2017)
- Crocker, Nicholls, Seto, et al.: Research Priorities in Mental Health, Justice, and Safety: A Multidisciplinary Stakeholder Report (2015)
- Correctional Service of Canada: Community Residential Facilities in Canada: A Descriptive Profile of Residents and Facilities (2004)
- Parliamentary Research Branch: Bill C-7: An Act To Amend the Criminal Records Act (1999)
Advocacy & Knowledge Sharing
Drawing from the knowledge gained from our research and our members, we share what we learn with our network, partners, and other interested organizations and individuals to advance humane and evidence-informed policies and practices.
Consultations
Wherever possible, SLSC provides written and verbal consultations. Some parties reach out to SLSC to request consultations, and sometimes, we also initiate submissions on matters relevant to our mission. Below is a list of some recent consultations that are publicly available. To view a more exhaustive list, visit our Resource Library to see our other legislative reports and submissions.
Presentations & Guest Lectures
SLSC both receives invitations and submits applications to present at various conferences, symposiums, and educational institutions to share our research and knowledge. Some recent presentations SLSC has given include:
- Remaking Criminology: Contemporary Insights on the Criminal Justice System (Delhi Metropolitan Education Law School International Symposium, March 2023)
- Revisiting Release, Re-entry, (Re)Integration, and Recidivism: Exploring the Role of Community-based Organizations & The Community Corrections Sector (Carleton University, Sept. 2022)
- Understanding Community-based Residential Facilities within a Shifting COVID-19 Landscape (Parole Board of Canada, Aug. 2021)
- Half a Century of Community Corrections: Exploring the Role of National NGOs within the Criminal Justice System (Canadian Criminal Justice Association Congress, Nov. 2019)
- Community Supports: Alternatives to Traditional
Approaches (Parole Board of Canada Academic Think Tank on Community Corrections, Feb. 2019) - Beyond Custody: Addressing Age-Related Needs for Successful Community Integration (Internal Corrections and Prisons Association Annual Conference, Oct. 2018)
- Presentation to the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (April 2017)
Press Releases & Open Letters
As issues arise, SLSC published press releases and open letters to share our perspective. Here are a couple examples:
- News Release Regarding Corrections and Conditional Release Act: 30th Anniversary (Nov. 2022)
- Response to the Government of Canada’s Tabling of the Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (June 2022)
- Response to Office of The Correctional Investigator & Canadian Human Rights Commission’s Joint Report Aging and Dying in Prison (Feb. 2019)
- News Release Regarding McClintic Transfer from Healing Lodge (Oct. 2018)
Conferences & Training Days
When we get together with our members, we often host various learning opportunities. A few recent examples include:
- Be the Light: Sharing Positivity in Dark Times Virtual Conference (June 2 – June 4, 2021)
- Succession Planning and Recruiting for Keeps Training (facilitated by Vantage Point, June 6, 2019)
- Cannabis Policy Session (facilitated by Canadian Public Health Association, November 2, 2018)
- Beyond Custody: Obstacles and Pathways for Unique Populations (June 1, 2018)
- Two Medicines Trauma Workshop: The Intersection Between Indigenous and Western Approaches in Addressing Men’s Healing (facilitated by Rick Goodwin (Men & Healing) & Graham Jobson, March 2, 2018)
Media
Since its founding, SLSC has contributed to, and been highlighted in, various media outlets. Below is a list of some of our features in media articles over the years:
- The Hill Times: Automatic pardon bill hailed by experts as ‘most significant’ justice reform in a long time (2021)
- The Toronto Star: Out of prison, but then where? Canada’s halfway houses brace for COVID-19 releases with fewer beds and uncertainty (2020)
- Public Safety Canada: Government to support the safe reintegration of offenders under community supervision during COVID-19 (2020)
- Office of the Correctional Investigator: Backgrounder Aging and Dying in Prison: An Investigation into the Experiences of Older Individuals in Federal Custody (2019)
- Maison Cross Roads: International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) (2018)
- THIS: Why won’t Justin Trudeau’s Liberals reinstate an effective prisoner rehabilitation program? (2018)
- Homeless Hub: Unpacking ‘Bold’ Changes: What it Really Means to Create Opportunities for All Canadians (2018)
- Correctional Service of Canada: 2017-2018 Citizen Advisory Committees Annual Report (2018)
- The Globe and Mail: Rick Sauvé’s prisoner-coaching program Life Line faces potential cancellation (2017)
- Office of the Correctional Investigator: Elizabeth White, Executive Director, St. Leonard’s Society of Canada, Receives the 2016 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award (2016)
- Government of Canada: Regulations Amending the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations (2015)
- The Globe and Mail: Ottawa to introduce life sentences without parole under new legislation (2015)
- Correctional Service Canada: FORUM on Corrections Research: Dynamic Management: Two-Way Dialogue (2015)
- Correctional Service of Canada: Corrections in Canada: a historical timeline (1960–1979: An era of innovation) (2014)
- The Globe and Mail: Ottawa axes rehabilitation program for prison ‘lifers’ (2012)
- Public Safety Canada: 2010-2011 Evaluation of the Grants Program to National Voluntary Organizations – Final Report (2011)
- The Toronto Star: Judge could jail man, 93, for 1950s incest with two daughters (2009)
- CBC News: Elderly Quebec man to serve incest sentence in seniors home (2009)
- Let’s Talk: Forging Steps Towards Safer Reintegration (2007)
- The Globe and Mail: PM targets three-time violent offenders (2006)
- The Globe and Mail: Top court rules inmate not guilty of weapons charges (2004)
- The Globe and Mail: Ankle bracelets for conditional sentences (2004)
- The Globe and Mail: Fewer inmates granted parole (2001)
- Public Safety Canada: The Role of Halfway Houses in The Criminal Justice System in North America (1983)
