Our Mission Statement: “Effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime.”

The John Howard Society of Canada’s Media Information Kit

The John Howard Societies work to re-integrate former prisoners into community life and to reduce levels of crime and re-offending by persons at risk of criminalization.

The John Howard Society of Canada is the Kingston-based policy office that speaks for 65 service-delivery offices across Canada. The John Howard Society of Canada operates at the federal level — advocating for best practices grounded in evidence — to improve the practice of corrections and address the causes of crime.

The goals of The John Howard Society of Canada include community safety, reduced victimization and positive, pro-social, re-integration of former prisoners.

Three Key Messages: Effective, Just and Humane

  • 1. Criminal justice policy and correctional practice should be effective. They should:
    • (a) be grounded in peer-reviewed best evidence and constantly evaluated to ensure that they reduce crime and reoffending;
    • (b) redress and repair the conditions that give rise to crime; and,
    • (c) reduce the likelihood that people who come into conflict with the law will get worse as a consequence of contact with the criminal justice system.
  • 2. Criminal justice policy and correctional practice should be just; they should:
    • (a) accord with principles of fundamental justice as articulated in the Criminal Code and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and,
    • (b) be consistent with the UN’s Declaration on Human Rights.
  • 3. Criminal justice policy and correctional practice should be humane.
    • We believe that it is self-evident, and consistent with best evidence, that the inhumane treatment of persons can never bring about a pro-social response from them.

The John Howard Society of Canada is governed by a volunteer board of directors and is a registered non-profit charity under the laws of Canada.

Catherine Latimer

Executive Director
809 Blackburn Mews
Kingston, ON, Canada
K7P 2N6

Tel: (613) 384-6272
Fax: (613) 384-1847

Email: clatimer@nulljohnhoward.ca
Web: www.johnhoward.ca

 JHSC Media Kit