Harper Government helps female former offenders readjust to life after prison

Federally-funded crime prevention program provides support and life skills

KITCHENER, ON, April 7, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, Mr. Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament for Kitchener - Conestoga, Mr. Peter Braid, Member of Parliament for Kitchener - Waterloo, and Mr. Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $2.7 million in federal funding for the crime prevention project Stride for Federally Sentenced Women, which will provide support to nearly 600 recently released female offenders to reduce their likelihood of reoffending.

This project is designed to help female former offenders, living in Ontario (Kitchener and surrounding area, Toronto, Hamilton, London, and Brampton), Halifax, Nova Scotia and Winnipeg, Manitoba, by providing them with assistance to make a smooth transition from prison into the community.

Quick Facts

• The Community Justice Initiatives of Waterloo Region will deliver the project, in partnership with the United Way of Kitchener, Waterloo and Area, the Samuel Rogers Foundation, the Maycourt Club, Zonta and members of the local communities, to nearly 600 female former offenders.
• From April 2014 to March 2015, the Government of Canada invested in 98 community-based crime prevention programs through the National Crime Prevention Strategy.

Quotes

"Violence is a serious concern for Canadian families and communities. This is why our Government is making concerted efforts to provide former offenders with the support and life skills necessary to prevent re-offending."
— The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"I am pleased to support the Stride for Federally Sentenced Women project, which will help former female offenders in their re-integration to our communities."
— Mr. Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament for Kitchener – Conestoga

"Safe, vibrant communities are in the best interest of all Canadians and investing in community-based projects is one of the keys to achieving this goal."  
— Mr. Peter Braid, Member of Parliament for Kitchener — Waterloo

"Through community-based crime prevention projects, such as Stride for Federally Sentenced Women, we are providing former female offenders with the supports they need to make a change and be positive influences in their communities."
— Mr. Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre

Associated Links

• Public Safety's National Crime Prevention Centre

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Related Links

www.publicsafety.gc.ca