Integrating or re-entering the job market is a major challenge for a person in the criminal justice system, yet it is an essential gateway to once again becoming an active and positive member of society. Eleven community organizations specializing in employability in Quebec are mandated by Services Québec to promote the reintegration of this clientele: through their support, they exercise a real public safety function, with significant benefit for the entire community. However, the threat of cuts looms over the network, and could have the effect of reducing services or, worse still, the number of people served.
Special and necessary expertise
On average, 3,500 individuals placed before the courts are supported each year by these organizations, beyond the targets set by Services Québec. The success rate is convincing: within 12 weeks of the start of their participation, more than 75% return to work. Note that the latter plays a key role in a process of social reintegration, because the recidivism of these people is very low. Difficulties in finding work can jeopardize the social rehabilitation of offenders, and being unemployed is a contributing factor to crime.
The particular expertise of employability organizations specializing in adult clients allows them to offer a continuum of services that goes beyond employment support. Before looking for a job, these people may have several support needs, such as finding housing, taking training, redoing paperwork or finishing high school. Socio-professional reintegration is not a linear path, and people sent to the courts are often catching up with the technical and social skills necessary for the market. Without this all-round support, their approach would be a foregone failure.
In addition, the judicial clientele represents approximately 14% of the Quebec population: an interesting pool to meet the workforce needs of businesses. Unfortunately, she still faces many prejudices which constitute an obstacle to obtaining a job. These organizations also work to raise awareness among employers and the population to demonstrate openness and sensitivity towards these individuals who must regain their place in society.
A very profitable investment
In terms of economic benefits, these services prove to be very profitable for the government of Quebec, which derives a net profit of 320 million over a period of 30 years (Advisory Committee for Adult Criminal Clients, 2014).
This profitability is even more important if we also take into account the benefits and other advantages that this support brings for people in the justice system, their loved ones, employers and society in general. In fact, the net social profit amounts to 23.7 million on an annual basis and 834 million over a period of 30 years. These savings are made on the positive economic benefits of having a job (paying taxes, contributing to economic life, etc.) and by limiting costs (not being on social assistance, not being in detention since having a job is a factor which reduces recidivism, etc.).
However, this expertise necessary for our society is neither recognized nor protected. The 25% cuts mentioned by Services Québec by 2027 are very worrying for services to this clientele considered vulnerable in terms of employability, which is increasingly present and with growing needs. They could result in a reduction in the response to labor needs, an increase in crime and public safety issues obvious to all.
In addition, people placed before the courts are normally considered a specific and priority clientele by Services Québec. How can we justify the cuts announced in this context and in the face of a public safety issue, when these organizations achieve and exceed their support targets?
*The other signatories are André Simard, general manager, Equitem; Bruno Paré, general director, OPEX; Patrick Pilon, general director, REHABEX; Marie-Lyne Bernard, general director, SAEE; Claudine Bertrand, general director, Via Travail; Mylène Castonguay, general director, L’orienthèque; David Paradis, general director, employment assistance service for people in the criminal justice system La junction; Maryse Paré, Director of Employability and Homelessness, YMCAs of Quebec; Benoît Robineau, general director, IMTM; Marie-Christine Roy, Accès-Emploi clinical supervisor, REHAB; Danie St-Yves, general manager, Maison Radisson