The Sou’Wester

Volume 5 Issue 1 -Southwest Community Ministries January/February 2013

Inmates have raised $129,000 Over Two Years for Charities The Unlikely philanthropists It is with sadness to report that MSCM tragically lost Noting many people Montreal which is slated for one of its own: M ore than 130 Ca- who end up behind bars closure, hosted disabled peo- Christopher Jost nadian charities have bene- were ‘pulled off the streets’, ple on multiple occasions Chris’ journey can be found fitted from upwards of he said it shouldn’t come as a around Christmas and Easter on Page 7. His life touched $129,000 generated over the surprise that inmates want to to ‘allow prisoners to be in many of us. We will miss past two years by some of help the needy. contact with people who are him. this country’s most unlikely “It’s an interesting illu- different from themselves’, We encourage you to philanthropists—federal sion that people who are in according to documents support one another so that inmates, many of whom are prison are no longer mem- detailing the initiative. The no one, especially those serving life sentences for bers of society right? It’s not visits allowed inmates and most vulnerable, lacks a murder and have limited true,” he said in a telephone their guests to share a meal sense of being connected opportunity to earn money interview. “One of the mis- and included the exchange of and supported within our yet choose to give away conceptions is that because a gifts as well as a donation to community. what they have to those less person does a bad thing, the organization itself. We are mindful of the fortunate. they’re a bad person and they Kim Pate, Executive shock, sadness and disorien- It may come as a sur- don’t care about other people Director of the Canadian tation felt by all in our com- prise to many Canadians just and that’s just not always the Association of Elizabeth Fry munity and we hold all in how much time, effort and case. People have compas- Societies, said she’s heard of our thoughts and prayers. expense prisoners expend sion and look after each female inmates banding throughout the year giving other even inside the walls. together to help one of their back to the communities So of course that spreads out own. In one case, women they let down in one way or into the greater community pooled their funds to help a another. as well.” fellow inmate whose child From a $4000 donation According to the docu- needed a wheelchair. In from inmates at Fraser Val- ments, inmates across the another, an inmate’s husband ley Institution to the Bowls country have raised money needed a motor scooter due of Hope Society of Chilli- for local food banks, kids to complications from Rest in Peace wack, BC, school lunch pro- sports teams, they’ve spon- diabetes. grams, to the Exceptional sored families for Christmas, Inmates are also putting IN THIS ISSUE People’s Olympiad hosted fostered children through their skills and talents to international aid organiza- work for others. Through the annually for the past 36 years by Collins Bay Institu- tions and contributed to ‘Garden Project’, inmates in Wardens Have Power numerous charities like the New Brunswick “worked Toews Blasts Loophole 2 tion in , documents obtained by Postmedia Multiple Sclerosis Society, hard in preparing, planting, In Person Profile: Habitat for Humanity, the weeding, cultivating and fi- Maurice Bowen 3 News through access to in- formation laws show signifi- Royal Canadian Legion, the nally harvesting our vegetable Can you Identify? 4 Children’s Wish Foundation, garden throughout the sum- cant contributions involving Sought by Ex-inmates both cash, goods and time. the Humane Society, the mer,” according to a memo. Inmates seek Mercy Pleas 5 Hospital for Sick Children, The harvest yielded 2,434 John Chaif, an inmate at Métis Man in US prison Ontario’s Joyceville Institu- Doctors Without Borders, kilograms of vegetables that Dog-inmate Program 6 UNICEF, the Canadian Na- were distributed to food tion who is serving a life Christopher Jost sentence, helps coordinate a tional Institute for the Blind banks in their community. A Message from George Carlin 7 lot of the charity work that and the Boys and Girls Club.

Your Worth goes on at the medium- The medium-security The Last Laugh 8 security prison. Leclerc Institution near Source: Postmedia News

Page 2 The Sou’Wester Granting Inmates Temporary Absences and Work Releases Wardens Have Power

P rison wardens can Coupled with her mixed The directive gives wardens effectively thwart the will of response to prison programs the power to grant inmates tem- the Board of Canada— and ‘issues with drugs and alco- porary absences and work and one of them appears to hol abuse’, the Board ruled she releases as long as they are within have done so in the case of a wasn’t ready. 3 years of full parole eligibility. woman who killed a Toronto But in December 2011, In practice, what it means is police officer. Carol-Ann Reynen, the Warden that temporary absences, origi- The sweeping powers at Fraser Valley Institution for nally meant to allow inmates to were quietly granted to war- Women in BC, granted Cece attend funerals or get medical dens last year under a little- the very passes the Parole treatment unavailable in prison to known “Commissioner’s Board had refused her, appar- leave the institution for short Directive,” which enlarged ently with authority broadly periods of time, have become a Canada upon existing authority in the granted under the CCRA, way around the parole system is a country Corrections and Conditional which speaks only vaguely itself. which Release Act. about temporary absences. And, as discretionary powers produces citizens Elaine Ross Cece is one of Warden’s decisions, unlike granted to wardens, they are with- two women who were con- those of the Parole Board, out oversight or any meaningful who will cross victed of second-degree the ocean aren't made in public, though review. murder in the fall of 1999 for the victim’s family are notified Conservative MP, Corneliu to fight slaying Det. Const. William if they ask to be. Chisu, has prepared a private for democracy (Billy) Hancox. It was in June This, Jean-Paul Lorieau, a member’s bill to change the legis- but won’t 2010 that Cece applied for spokesman for the Pacific lation, but it has yet to be given a cross the street to ‘Escorted Temporary Absence region of the Correctional number. vote. (ETA)’, at the Parole Board of Service of Canada, is all author- Canada. As a result, the Board ized under the Commissioner’s Author unknown decided Cece lacked insight Directive on Temporary

into the crime and minimized Absences 710-3 of June 13 last

the violence she had inflicted. year. Source: The

Parole Board Decisions Should Reign Supreme Toews Blasts Loophole

P arole Board decisions “I’ve asked (Correctional Ser- sentences without considering should reign supreme, Public vice of Canada) commissioner previous decisions of the Parole Safety Minister Vic Toews said Don Head for options to en- Board. following revelations that a sure that decisions of the Chisu’s private member’s bill second-degree murderer was Parole Board of Canada are seeks to amend the Corrections granted an escorted absence given full effect, both in letter and Conditional Release Act to from prison by a warden de- and in spirit.” harmonize decisions made by the spite a negative Parole Board He also commended back- Parole Board in cases of first– or decision. bencher Conservative Corneliu second-degree murder. “Individuals deemed ineli- Chisu for taking on the issue in It raises questions about gible for parole should not be the form of a private member’s whether the government will take given conditional release that is bill aimed at closing the loop- over the bill, which has yet to be tantamount to parole through hole that’s allowed wardens to introduced or simply lend its the back door,” he said in an make such decisions in matters support to the legislation which email statement. involving inmates serving life would hasten the passage.

Source: The Montreal Gazette

The Sou’Wester Page 3

In Person Profile

Later, I was taken away and her willingness to help The Sou’Wester is from my parents as part of others. Through her I heard pleased to introduce Maurice the 60’s scoop (which lasted about MSCM and later Bowen who has spent 24 years in until the 80’s)—the mass re- when I was in a minimum, I prison and is currently on day moval of Aboriginal children heard about Open Door. parole living in a half-way house in from their families. The im- Montreal. We are grateful that pact on me was traumatic, Q. What benefits did you Maurice was willing to share his growing up in conditions of think you gained from our experiences with us. suppressed identity and Open Door volunteer pro- abuse. The complete disre- gram? Q. Firstly, thank you Maurice for gard of my identity had far- agreeing to participate. Your home reaching consequences and A. Open Door allowed me is Waswanipi in Northern Que- contributed to the rage that I to work on my social skills bec. Can you tell us a little about lived with for many years. (especially communication your childhood and culture? skills) rather than just vent- Q. You have spent many years ing frustration at the system. A. In the early part of my inside. Could you tell us what you It has helped me find solu- childhood we lived a semi- did with your time? tions and alternatives. “We Crees believe that life is like nomadic life, travelling in a tree, we grow depending on how early spring to goose camps, A. I spent as much time as I Q. You have attended MSCM’s secure our roots are. summer to our fishing could acquiring information Community Building If they are not deeply rooted, grounds and moose camps in and knowledge, initially tak- Workshops. Did you gain we will not grow or expand to the fall, mainly in tents. We ing up trades (small motor any valuable insights? our potential, we will live stunted, travelled by boat (canoe). repair, cabinet making, ma- never seeing further than what’s During late fall we were more chinist) as well as upgrading A. The Community Building near to us or reaching out to sedentary and our residence my education (computer Workshops allowed me to others around us. We will not be was basically log cabins near courses, French immersion express myself openly (in chosen by other creatures for shel- non-native communities. We and any free workshop I en- secure confidentiality) with- ter (will not be able to totally lived predominantly off the countered). I went from out fear of rejection and/or connect to all creation)—they will land which was rich with working alone (because I did- being judged. This was a first not find strength in us and when fresh meat, fowl and fish. In n’t like people) to working step in understanding my storms arise (difficulties), we will order to maintain the natural with people (as ombudsman, behaviours, including my not sway with the wind but crash balance of the ecosystem, we peer helper, sports commis- wariness about other people. and fall. moved from one area to an- sioner, “préposée au handi- Since my release, I con- So it is important to know other from the preceding cappe”) because I began to tinue to use the resources who you are and where you came year. We lived and travelled realize that I needed help— offered by MSCM and will from. Family, friends, community with our extended family and needed to trust people again continue to do so, because I and culture are your roots that friends. Most days were spent and I was not an island, nor need caring, positive and will help you aim higher, be listening to stories and learn- was I safe and secure in my honest people in my life. stronger and let you walk with ing the finer art of hunting isolation. confidence into the future, no and understanding the habits Q. Can you tell us what your matter what storm arises. of animals. The framework of Q. How did you first become goals are now? Remember that it is never our culture has two basic aware of MSCM and Open too late to strengthen your ‘commandments’—respect Door? A. Sorry, other than school roots—this can be achieved only and share. Respect meant and menial work (for now), I by going deeper into the earth treating all living things with A. In time I began to be do not have any goals per (inside yourself).” honesty and in the purpose more sociable and meet peo- se...in the long term I would that they were meant to be ple from the outside. Marie like to work in small commu- Maurice Bowen (this included self-respect). Beemans was one person I nities or community centres Sharing did not only include met in various institutions— developing programs... material items but feelings, she seemed genuine and I hopes, joys and fears. was enticed by her honesty

Page 4 The Sou’Wester Who is this ?

Back Then ...and Now

“We must learn to live together Reminiscent of the Recently leaving an Open Door meeting as brothers sixties commune days or perish together as fools.” Bob is currently living his dream visiting China. You can catch up with him at the following site: Martin Luther King Jr. http://robert-knight.artistwebsites.com/index.html

Donations of time and service are also welcome. Please Support MSCM We are especially MSCM is a volunteer organization welcoming ex-offenders back to the community by looking for volunteers supporting them in their social, spiritual, social, emotional and practical needs. We foster who would be restoration and accountability and attend to the needs of all those affected by crime. interested in MSCM has relied upon support from the Community Chaplaincy of Montreal escorting. (Aumônerie de Communautaire de Montréal) and individual donors like you. The stigma associated with offenders brings financial and other challenges with it. Your contribution Please contact our offices helps. by phone or email, or visit I support MSCM and their programs and am enclosing a donation of: our website: (514)244-6147 $25 $50 $100 Other: [email protected] www.mscm-qc.org Note: Cheques less than $50 should be made payable to MSCM. Cheques greater than $50 should be made payable to: Anglican Diocese of Montreal, memo: MSCM. Please mail your cheques Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $50 or greater. to: Name: ______MSCM 1439 St. Catherine St. West Address:______Montreal, QC H3G 1S6 E:mail:______

The Sou’Wester Page 5

Tories Toughened Rules Last Spring Pardons sought by ex-inmates plunge

behind them and start anew. “If you are burdened with mis- A pplications for crimi- The Parole Board says takes of the past on an ongoing nal record suspensions, for- 3,693 record suspensions were basis, that in itself can contribute merly known as pardons, have granted from March 13, 2012 significantly towards further prob- plummeted since the Conserva- —when the new rules kicked lems as you go through life,” tive government finalized tough in—to December 6th. Com- Dennis Fentie, Yukon premier new rules last spring. pare that to more than 24,000 from 2002 to 2011, said in an inter- Statistics released to The pardons granted in 2009-10, view. “It becomes a real challenge Canadian Press under the fed- the last full year before for individuals. They’re shunned. eral access-to-information law began changing the system. Certain doors aren’t open to them.” show 15,871 applicants between Getting through the door Fentie speaks from experience. March 2011 and December is now the challenge. In 1975 he was convicted for his 2012 down more than 40% on One private ser- involvement in a heroin trafficking an annualized basis compared vice—the equivalent of tax ring in and sentenced to to 2009-2010. preparation professionals— 3 years in prison. He served 17 A relatively small portion of complains the parole board has months before being released on Hope those applications—8,6341— become ‘almost obstructive’ parole. Two decades later he re- is like a bird even got through the door for towards pardon applicants. ceived a pardon. “In my case, I that processing by the Parole Board And sharply restricting the went from the penitentiary to the senses the dawn of Canada. The board used to number of former offenders premier’s office,” said Fentie, who and send back about 25% of appli- who are able to bury their past rose to power as leader of the con- carefully cations for various reasons, but has ramifications: a record sus- servative Yukon Party. starts to sing the ’error rate’ in 2011 was pension can help the recipient “And the reason I got there while it is still more than 45%. The end result get a better job or travel was because I was able to achieve dark. is a dramatic drop in the num- abroad, and is considered a that full pardon and have a clean ber of former inmates who are powerful incentive not to reof- slate in my life.” Anonymous able to put their criminal past fend. Source: The Canadian Press Changes to Pardon Rules Leads Many to Seek Other Avenues Inmates Seek“Mercy” Pleas under RPM,: cautions the The new law also doubled the N ew restrictions on Board. crime-free waiting period before the granting of criminal record There are currently 79 ac- an offender can apply to 10 years suspensions, or pardons, are tive clemency applications in for indictable convictions and five causing more former convicts the pipeline, according to the years for less serious summary of to seek clemency under the Board’s spokeswoman Caroline offences. rarely used Royal Prerogative of Douglas. That’s up from 58 in At the same time, Ottawa en- Mercy, according to the Parole the system last March. The acted new regulations that quadru- Board of Canada. annual report noted it typically pled the application fee for a par- In fact, the federal agency handles about 20 applications a don—now officially called a re- has posted an “Important No- year. cord suspension—to $631. The tice” on its website to discour- An omnibus crime bill Parole Board makes a direct link age clemency applications, passed last spring (Bill C-10) between the new restrictions and which it notes are ‘only granted put pardons out of reach for the flood of mercy pleas. in exceptional circumstances.’ many former offenders, includ- In addition to the backlog of “If you are ineligible for a ing prohibiting applications by clemency files, it noted the unit record suspension, or the board those convicted of child-sex was ‘dealing with an increase in has refused to order a suspen- offences and by anyone with inquiries as a result of the new sion in your case, it is highly more than three convictions for legislation.” unlikely that you will qualify indictable offences. Source: The Canadian Press

Page 6 The Sou’Wester Fights to Finish 149-year Sentence in Canada Métis Man in U.S. Prison

Canadian program of forced separation of his cultural heri- assimilation of aboriginal tage and the removal of the A Méis man taken children with white families applicant from Canada.” from his family as a child and that ran from the 1960s into “Toews also failed to weigh adopted by American parents the late 1980s. these factors against the poten- has gone to court to force The adoption by a white tial for rehabilitation, as the law Public Safety Minister, Vic couple, says his Ottawa law- requires,” Hameed argued. Toews to let him serve the yer Yavar Hameed, could Hameed accuses Toews of rest of a 149-year sentence in have been a factor in the “perverse approach” to transfer Canada. troubled life that ended with requests and notes the A lawyer acting for Scott Meyer’s conviction in 1994. “staggering number of denials Myers filed the legal chal- “He was kind of a dislocated of transfer requests” by the lenge in Ottawa seeking a youth,” Hameed said. The Conservative government, court order to overturn same year as the crime, the compared to the Liberals, who Toews’ refusal to approve a 20 year old Meyers had just approved all requests. transfer to a prison in his found out about his birth “The Conservatives’ tough- country of birth. family back in Manitoba and on-crime approach show a Myers, 39, has served 17 initiated contact. ‘punitive inclination’ closed years of his sentence for In late December, mindedness and failure to con- armed robbery and attempted Meyers learned that his appli- sider the rehabilitative potential second-degree murder in U.S. cation had been rejected. of the offender,” he writes. prisons. He is currently “How few According to the statement In several cases over the serving his sentence—the filed in Federal Court, Toews past 3 years, Federal Court there are equivalent of two full life- who have had denied the request on judges have set aside decisions times—in the Louisana State the premise that Meyers had by Toews or his predecessors courage enough Penitentiary. abandoned Canada as his on inmate transfer cases, to own their faults, He was born to Métis place of residence. Hameed prompting appeals by the gov- or parents in Manitoba. When wrote that it was ‘an abomi- ernment. resolution enough he was a small child, he and 6 nation’ for Toews to claim “For privacy reasons, we to mend them!” siblings were taken from their that Meyers abandoned Can- cannot comment on specific home by the provincial child ada. cases,” Toews’ director of com- Benjamin Franklin and family services amid “The Minister knew that munications, Julie Carmichael, allegations that their parents the applicant’s uprooting wrote in an email. “However, were drinking. He was later from his place of birth was public safety is always our No. adopted by a couple in New done without his consent 1 concern.” Orleans, as part of the so- and that the Crown was Source: Postmedia News called ‘Sixties Scoop,” the directly responsible for the

Nova Scotia Dog-Inmate Program gets Ruff Ride government to go out and Correctional Facility in part- A pilot program that spend this kind of money nership with the SPCA and pairs inmates with canines in on a program for people will run until the end of Nova Scotia has the Conser- who are incarcerated when March. vative Party barking over the there are so many other Justice Minister Ross cost. people out there suffering Landry said inmates will care NS Tory justice critic because of the economy,” for and train 5 undisciplined Allan MacMaster said he McMaster said. dogs before they are returned doesn’t understand why the WOOF, an acronym for to the SPCA and adopted. province in spending $26,000 Working on our Future, was The idea is to rehabilitate on the program. launched in December at the dog and the inmate. “It is insensitive for a the Central Nova Scotia Source: The Canadian Press

The Sou’Wester Page 7 In Memoriam : Christopher Jost

C hristopher Jost was a valued member of MSCM for many years. He was a core member of a Circle of Support and Accountability (CoSA) for some 7 years and in that time although his liberty was suspended on a few occasions for breaches of conditions, he did not re-offend until the last tragic occasion that led to his arrest, incarceration and ultimate death. The tragedy of Chris' life and death has deeply affected many in the community, including in MSCM and at St. James the Apostle Church—both the congregation and the other tenants of the Church. Chris Jost was an offender supervised in the community by the Correctional Service of Canada because of the seriousness of his crimes. He was also a generous, hospitable person who loved nothing more than to reach out to people and to share his thoughts and possessions and to live his daily life in the company of others. Apart from his CoSA, his involvement in MSCM included the set-up and arrangements for our Community Building Workshops, Christmas Dinners, and Movie Nights, as well as for his role in our film "One of Us". We will never know what caused Chris to do what he did on 5 January 2013 which caused so much harm and hurt to so many people. His death too caused hurt, yet leaves us hoping that his suffering, both physical and emotional, has come to an end. We will continue to do our work at MSCM trusting that during those 7 years our journeying with Chris was as benefi- cial for him and for the larger community as we know it was for us. A Message from George Carlin

T he paradox of our but not inner space. We’ve done Remember, spend some time time in history is that we have larger things, but not better with your loved ones, because taller buildings but shorter tem- things. We’ve cleaned up the air, they are not going to be around pers, wider freeways, but nar- but polluted the soul. We’ve con- forever. rower viewpoints. We spend quered the atom, but not our Remember, say a kind word to more, but have less, we buy prejudice. someone who looks up to you in more, but enjoy less. We have We write more, but learn awe, because that little person bigger houses and smaller fami- less. We plan more, but accom- soon will grow up and leave your lies, more conveniences, but less plish less. We’ve learned to rush, side. time. We have more degrees but but not to wait. We build more Remember to give a warm hug less sense, more knowledge, but computers to hold more infor- to the one next to you, because less judgment, more experts, yet mation, to produce more copies that is the only treasure you can more problems, more medicine, than ever, but we communicate give with your heart and it doesn’t but less wellness. less and less. cost a cent. We drink too much, smoke These are the times of fast Remember to say, ‘I love you’ to too much, spend too recklessly, foods and slow digestion, big your partner and loved ones, but laugh too little, drive too fast, men and small character, steep most of all mean it. A kiss and an get too angry, stay up too late, profits and shallow relationships. embrace will mend hurt when it get up too tired, read too little, These are days of two in- comes from deep inside of you. watch TV too much, and pray comes but more divorce, fancier Remember to hold hands and too seldom. houses, but broken homes. cherish the moment for someday George Carlin We have multiplied our These are days of quick trips, that person will not be there again. possessions, but reduced our disposable diapers, throwaway Give time to love, give time to values. We talk too much, love morality, one night stands, over- speak! And give time to share the too seldom, and hate too often. weight bodies, and pills that do precious thoughts in your mind. We’ve learned how to make everything from cheer, to quiet, a living, but not a life. We’ve to kill. It is a time when there is And Always Remember: added years to life not life to much in the showroom window Life is not measured by the num- years. We’ve been all the way to and nothing in the stockroom. A ber of breaths we take, but by the the moon and back, but have time when technology can bring moments that take our breath trouble crossing the street to this letter to you, and a time away. meet a new neighbor. when you can choose to either We conquered outer space share this insight or delete it.

Page 8 The Sou’Wester Your Worth

Y our worth is not a product of your intelligence, your talent, your looks, or how much you have accomplished. Though much of who and what we are changes as we journey through life, our inherent worth remains constant. While the term self-worth is often used interchangeably with self- esteem, the two qualities are inherently different. Self-esteem is the measure of how you feel about yourself at a given moment in time. Your worth, however, is immeasurable and un- changing manifestation of your eternal and infinite oneness with the universe. It represents 1439 St. Catherine St. West the cornerstone of the dual foundations of optimism and self-belief. Your worth cannot be Montreal, QC taken from you or damaged by life’s rigors, yet it can easily be forgotten or even actively ig- H3G 1S6 nored. By regularly acknowledging your self-worth, you can ensure that you never forget what an important, beloved and special part of the universe you are. Tel: (514) 244-6147 You are born worthy—your worth is intertwined with your very being. Your concept of Fax: (514) 284-5070 your own self-worth is thus reinforced by your actions. Each time you endeavour to appreci- ate yourself, treat yourself kindly, define your personal boundaries, be proactive in seeing that E-mail: your needs are met, and broaden your horizons, you express your recognition of your innate [email protected] value. During those periods when you have lost sight of your worth, you will likely feel mired in depression, insecurity and a lack of confidence. You’ll pursue a counterfeit worth based on Website: judgment rather than the beauty that resides within. When you feel worthy, however, you will www.mscm-qc.org accept yourself without hesitation. It is your worth as an individual who is simultaneously interconnected with all living beings that allows you to be happy, confident and motivated. Because your conception of your worth is not based on the fulfillment of expectations, you’ll see your mistakes and failures as just another part of life’s journey. Human beings are very much like drops of water in an endless ocean. Our worth comes from our role as distinct individuals as well as our role as an integral part of something larger than ourselves. Simply awakening to this concept can help you rediscover the copious and awe-inspiring worth within each and every one of us.

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… it’s learning how to dance in the rain! We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails.

The Last Laugh

 A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station….

 To err is human, to blame it on somebody else shows management potential.

 A television can insult your intelligence, but nothing rubs it in like a computer.

 Worrying works! 90% of the things I worry about never happen.

 Procrastination—never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow! The Sou‘Wester © MSCM 2013. No reproduction without  The winner of the rat race, is still a rat. permission