Mission Statement
“Effective, just, and humane responses to crime and its causes.”
The John Howard Society of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton provides evidence-based programming to reduce the risks of crime and its’ causes. Our team encompass the education and experience to support individuals, community members and families in need of counselling and supports. Our philosophy is No Wrong Door, everyone who requests services will be provided with supports including referrals and additional resources.
We are here to help!
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.
Management
Executive Director
Lois Powers – lpowers@jhscklh.on.ca
Director of Risk Management
Robbin Savage – rsavage@jhscklh.on.ca
Assistant Executive Director
Shannon Speirs – sspeirs@jhscklh.on.ca
Director of Finance
Mary Goddard – mgoddard@jhscklh.on.ca
Program Director
Carla Cooper – ccooper@jhscklh.on.ca
Manager Literacy and Skills Development
Mark Scott – mscott@jhscklh.on.ca
Board of Directors
Terry Cox
President
Jaclyn Giffen
Secretary
Mike Cavanagh
Treasurer
Tom Hickey
Director
Eleanor Cavanagh
Director
Adam Ranger
Director
Amy Farr
Director
For our Client Complaints Policy, please click here.