Adult Housing: Kirkpatrick House (KH)

In response to an identified need for a community residential facility for adult males released from federal penitentiaries in the Ottawa area, Kirkpatrick House opened in December 1978. The facility assists men in their quest for pro-social re-integration and living positive lifestyles via employment/school, and community programs at both JHS and local parole offices. Other goals include assisting residents to become self-sufficient. There are 22 beds (8 double rooms and 6 single rooms) and several years ago, rental payments were abolished while per diem costs to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) were increased. This allows for the residents to save funds to use upon their release from the halfway house towards their own residence in the community. A JHS Case Management Team provides support for each resident. Assessments are completed prior to their admission. Staff are on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some residents are simply finishing their sentence; others are on long term supervision orders, or maybe on statutory releases with a residency condition to reside in a specific place.

Residents must complete their conditional release before moving out into the community by securing their full parole, reaching their statutory release dates, or until the expiration of their warrant (end of their actual sentence). There is a weekly Community Assessment team that reviews applicants who are applying to reside in Ottawa. The CRF directors, police, community liaison representatives, a supervisor, and the parole officer in charge attend weekly meetings and provide input on the eligibility/candidacy of each applicant for release into the community. This group may accept, deny, or defer a case based on the information available. There is a cook in the house who makes the evening meals Monday through Friday. Foodstuffs are provided for “off” times and on the weekends and residents are encouraged to purchase their own specialty foods/snacks.
The residents who reside at Kirkpatrick House are mandated by CSC. On occasion voluntary clients who want to come to the CRF for a period of stability prior to living on their own in the community are permitted.
Kirkpatrick House prides itself on providing a homelike environment for its residents. There are no in-house programs available but there is an excellent case management system and link to the Ottawa parole office. Funding is provided by CSC through an annual contract, per diem rate per facility, per fiscal year. The funding contracts are renewed annually.

John Howard Society of Ottawa: Main Office
550 Old St. Patrick Street
Ottawa, ON
K1N 5L5