Halfway House Experience in Quebec: The Lived Experience of the Hybrid Nature of the Institution.

• In Event: Poster Session 1

Abstract

In Quebec (Canada), several measures exist to allow offenders to serve their sentence in the community, including community supervision, parole, automatic release, and probation. Some individuals reside in halfway houses, managed by either the federal or provincial government, providing additional support while ensuring compliance with release conditions. Research has primarily focused on other forms of community supervision, but it is crucial to study the specific experience of halfway house residents. This study explores this experience in Quebec, considering these establishments as hybrid spaces of control and support for reintegration. Semi-structured interviews with transition house residents will provide insight into their daily experiences. The results will highlight the additional obstacles and facilitative role of this support in the reintegration process. This research contributes to conceptualizing transition houses as hybrid spaces where support and control coexist, underscoring the importance of considering the life trajectories of marginalized individuals to enhance their reintegration. It enriches understanding of the experience within these establishments in Quebec, particularly regarding the support and supervision provided.

Authors

• Corinne Chouinard, University Laval

• Elsa Euvrard, University Laval