Mission Statement
“Effective, just, and humane responses to crime and its causes.”
The John Howard Society of Kawartha Lakes & Haliburton is a non-profit, multi service organization with offices located in Lindsay and Minden. The Society offers programs that aim to prevent repeat offences among individuals who have been in conflict with the law, and prevent delinquent behavior among youth who may be at risk of offending. The John Howard Society believes that crime can be reduced and prevented through social and educational programs and the active involvement of an informed community.
History
John Howard was an 18th century Englishman who was captured by the French while sailing from England to Spain. He subsequently spent five years in French dungeons before returning to England as part of a prisoner exchange. Eventually, he was made the Sheriff of Bedford, a post which included among its duties, the task of inspecting local prisons. Few sheriffs actually bothered to carry out these duties but John Howard was different. Shocked by the corruption, stench, filth, starvation and disease he saw in the jails, he dedicated his life to improving prison conditions throughout England, Wales and continental Europe. His famous report on the state of prisons in England and Wales led to legislation against the more obvious evils of the system, and slowly moved public opinion to favour more humane prison conditions.
There are many organizations around the world which use the name John Howard. Most of them are associated with correctional reform and/or services to help offenders make positive changes in their lives. Although the organizations outside of Canada are not formally aligned, they share a common purpose and philosophy which reflects the life and work of the late John Howard.
In Ontario, the John Howard Society was founded in 1929 by Brigadier General Draper, then the Chief of Police in Toronto. Draper recognized the futility in much of the work being done by police when prisoners who were being released from jail were thrust into circumstances of unemployment, isolation and poverty – circumstances that escalate rather than decrease the chances of re-offending.
Board of Directors
Terry Cox
President
Jaclyn Giffen
Secretary
Mike Cavanagh
Treasurer
Tom Hickey
Director
Eleanor Cavanagh
Director
Adam Ranger
Director
Our Staff
Please contact us at 705.328.0472
We have outgrown our office! Please note the following locations by program, below. Please call us anytime for program information, directions, or locations.
Administration:
Lois Powers – Executive Director – Ext. 926
Joyce Pett – Director of Finance – Ext. 924
Shannon Speirs – Assistant Executive Director– Ext. 931
Youth Services – 370 Kent Street West, Unit #18 (Whitney Town Centre):
705-328-0472 Ext. 918
Adult Services – 22 Peel Street Office:
Partner Assault Response (PAR)/Transitional Housing – Ext 932
Community Service Order/Intermittent Community Work Program/Anger Management/Direct Accountability – Ext. 939
Institutional Services – Ext. 938
Skills Development (Outreach Literacy and Pre-Employment Counselling):
705-328-0472 Ext. 921 Lindsay Office
705-328-0472 Ext. 925 Minden Office