Reintegration under surveillance: understanding the dynamics of Quebec's halfway houses

• In Event: Technology and surveillance in community sanctions and measures

Abstract

In Quebec (Canada), several measures enable offenders to serve all or part of their sentence in the community, subject to certain conditions. Some people must reside in halfway houses, which aim to meet their basic needs while ensuring that the conditions of their release are respected. The mission of the institution is to reintegrate offenders while maintaining a degree of control, creating a distinct hybrid environment. To date, research on halfway houses has focused mainly on their effectiveness in terms of recidivism. It is important, however, to pay particular attention to the experiences of people in halfway houses, as they navigate this hybrid environment. The aim of this presentation is therefore to understand and document these experiences in Quebec, while exploring the perceptions of offenders in this institution.
By documenting their daily lives and their time in halfway houses, this study sheds light on the institutional dynamics and challenges encountered. Using 10 semi-structured interviews with residents and 4 interviews with caregivers, the conference documents their experiences and perceptions in this environment.
This research contributes to a better recognition of these people's experiences, which are often overlooked, and feeds reflection on support practices in halfway houses. In this way, it helps guide interventions to better meet the needs of individuals under community supervision.

Authors

• Corinne Chouinard, Laval University

• Elsa Euvrard, Université Laval