Home > Residences > Bedford House

Bedford House

  • Program Description
  • Referral Sources

BedfordHouseBedford House is a specialized community based residential facility geared towards meeting the social and clinical needs of offenders with issues requiring further programming and/or treatment, Our primary mandate and obligation is to ensure the safety, security, and well being of the community at-large. As part of the re-integration process, our residents are given support within a structured release plan which requires constant supervision. Autonomy, privilege and participation in authorized community activities and programming are only extended in proportion to the individual’s ability and willingness to accept personal responsibility and accountability.

As a Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF) our services are provided on a fee for service basis to the Correctional Services Canada (21 beds) and the Solicitor General of Alberta (1 bed).

Bedford House is a treatment oriented facility in that the focus is on individuals who require ongoing treatment and intervention in a supportive environment while returning to the community. Bedford House is a community based, non-institutional, residential facility designed to meet the needs of male offenders on conditional release. Individuals most suited to the Bedford House program are those who have started to address their most significant contributing factors related to immediate risk through programming in the institution. Our facility is ideally suited for individuals with unresolved issues who have potential to benefit from casework and related treatment interventions while in the community.

Candidates for admission should have demonstrated positive motivation and some insight into their criminogenic factors, and a willingness to address those factors. An ongoing commitment in preparing themselves for full reintegration and the avoidance of factors which will contribute to relapse is expected. Those individuals who have limited needs, or who are unable or unwilling to subscribe to these commitments are ordinarily not well suited for Bedford House. Those who are prepared to commit themselves to the program and fully participate in their case plan will be the most successful.

The activities carried out at Bedford House are designed to address the social and clinical needs of residents thereby minimizing the risk present if offenders were simply released into the community at the end of their sentence.

Bedford House is designed to promote a casual and supportive interaction between residents and John Howard Society staff, ultimately developing positive supports for residents once they are in the community.

Staff members are responsible for the day-to-day supervision of all residents according to the conditions on their release permit. House rules and regulations are designed to provide the necessary amount of supervision appropriate to a community setting – i.e. curfew times, documentation of resident activities, periodic checks of these activities, and close liaison with supervising authorities. The emphasis of our program is to maintain community safety by remaining aware of the climate of the house and the issues affecting each individual resident. Clients may be deemed to pose an unacceptable risk if there is evidence of:

  • a deteriorating mental condition
  • refusal or inability to abide by house rules or conditions of release permit.
Bedford House utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to the casework process through ongoing consultation with community psychologists, consulting psychiatrist, the psychiatric nurse, community group facilitators, in house group facilitator and caseworkers.

Individuals may meet with the psychiatric nurse shortly after assuming residency to complete a medical review. On-going consultation with the nurse will be provided to deal with health and other related issues as required.

The consulting psychiatrist completes house rounds once per week. Ongoing sessions with the psychiatrist will be based on issues and need.

Staff members meet on a weekly basis with the assigned parole officers from Correctional Service of Canada. Community psychologists and program facilitators also meet with staff members to discuss resident's progress and ongoing level of risk.

Recreational opportunities are available to the residents in the form of group outings, hiking, pass to the YMCA, sports events, music and theatre. Residents are also referred to other agencies and organizations within the community in order to meet specific individual needs.

Contact:

Phone: 403.232.6388
Fax: 403.233.0855

CSC

Many of our applicants are “multi-need”. Therefore, risk assessment is an important aspect of applicant screening. For every potential resident, we look at areas such as the nature and circumstances of the offense, previous patterns of criminal behaviour, treatment undertaken while incarcerated, present treatment and supervision needs, and the existing community resources available to meet those needs. The extensive screening process usually results in a joint decision between House staff.

TO MAKE AN APPLICATION TO BEDFORD HOUSE:

  • Talk to your caseworker to see if the program best suits your needs in regard to your community release plans
  • For federal offenders, the institutional caseworker must initiate a community strategy to the Calgary District Parole Office in order for the applicant to be reviewed for residency
  • For provincial offenders, an application form must be filled out and submitted by you the applicant and your caseworker
  • A review of your file is conducted by a staff member of Bedford House
  • Residency will be based primarily on bed space availability. You will be notified as soon as one becomes available
File reviews are generally conducted by senior members of the Bedford House team. When management of risk and suitability for residency remains undetermined, an ETA to Bedford House may be requested. Staff members may also travel to the Institutions to conduct personal interviews for some cases.

The following reports or information are essential for a comprehensive assessment of suitability and risk management in the community within our program:

  • Recent psychiatric/psychological reports
  • Recent CPPR
  • Program progress reports
  • Criminal profile
  • Any community assessments available
  • Release plan
  • Risk to potential victims or previous victims in community (particularly where family members or significant others)
Generally a community strategy is generated at the institution. As stated previously, it is essential to have the above documents available on OMS, and if not, please provide a reason why they are not, and an approximate date they may be become available. A staff member from Bedford House will attend the Offender Management Review Board at the Calgary Parole Office with other representatives from halfway house facilities in Calgary. A decision may be rendered at this time, for higher risk cases a complete file may be requested to allow for consultation with other Bedford House staff team members.