JSTICE
Overview
Justice System Transitional Integrated Care and Empowerment is a collaborative program with community partners across the Niagara Region to offer comprehensive care and wraparound support to individuals who are transitioning from the justice system.
Re-integration is a critical time for these individuals and REACH Niagara is there to support their provide physical and mental healthcare, with a focus on addictions through our team of caring professionals.
Who is the program for?
JSTICE is designed to help those who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing and who are leaving the justice system or who have a history of justice system involvement. The project also accounts people belonging to groups that have other factors of health and well being, including those who are:
- 18+ in age
- Indigenous
- Racialized
- 2SLGBTQIA+
- History of substance use and overdose
- engaged in sex work
- Have acute health care needs
- Experiencing homelessness (and precarious housing)
- Who are incarcerated or at risk of re-incarceration or being released to Niagara
These issues create significant barriers for accessible healthcare and integrated services that address health and social needs of the target population. Barriers are further exacerbated by stigma and emotional strain on the client, from being in and navigating the justice system. All of this leads to inconsistent care coordination and limited understanding of available resources by both service providers and clients, which undermines successful reintegration efforts and can increase risks of re-incarceration, relapse, overdose or death of the individual.
How can you access the program?
Interested program participants can access JSTICE through three differents pathways:
- Contacting NASO workers at the Niagara Detention Centre or Vanier Centre for Women in Milton
- If you are recently released from the Justice System and are actively homeless or living in a shelter, you can contact REACH or any number of community partners to be referred.
- If you identify yourself as someone with a history of Justice System Involvement, contact REACH directly.
What are the benefits
Key JSTICE involvement benefits include reduced rates of re-involvement in the JSTICE System, Primary Care, Mental Health Care, Substance Use Assistance, Peer Support to help navigate re-integration, Connection with system navigation and housing supports as well as continuity of care to help ease transition into your next steps.
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