About 64% of P.E.I. inmates 'released into homelessness' after jail, says John Howard Society

Many inmates released from jail on P.E.I. are finding themselves homeless after serving their time, says the local president of the John Howard Society.

Conor Mullin saidstatistics compiled by his organizationsuggests there are 168 people on P.E.I. experiencing homelessness, 50 per cent of whom he considers to be "chronic," or without a fixed address for more than half the year.

From April 2023 to March 2024, the John Howard Society consulted with approximately 117 inmates at the Provincial Correctional Centre before their release, and about 75 had no place to go.

"Unfortunately no housing was able to be found and they were released into homelessness," Mullin said.

Some inmates are being released into homelessness. Advocates say P.E.I. needs transitional housing

4 months ago

Duration 2:38

From April 2023 to March 2024 the John Howard Society of P.E.I. worked with 117 inmates who were released from the provincial correctional centre, 76 of whom were unable to find housing. CBCs Tony Davis spoke with the society's president, Conor Mullin, about the benefits of having transitional housing on the Island and why its safer to release prisoners into a controlled environment.

Among the services the John Howard Society provides is helping inmates released from prison transition back into society. Mullin said the lack of transitional housing on P.E.I. is one of the biggest obstacles. It's even more difficult when issues such as mental health, drug addiction and a criminal record are factored in.

"It can be very difficult to find housing for this population when in a housing situation such as ours, when there are so many other people vying for that same housing who don't have those same issues," he said.

"When people are homeless, they're often living their lives in survival mode. And it's very difficult to work on your issues when your life is centred aroundwhere are you going to be sleeping and how are you going to be eating that day."

While there is some transitional housing on P.E.I.run by organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association, there just isn't enough to go around, Mullin said.

"If we had more transitional or second-stage housing, people could be transitioned into housing, but ... we could make sure that they have the appropriate supports in place, supports for both the tenants and the landlords to help them deal with their issues, to teach them the necessary life skills and ... to help people transition to independent living."

In an emailed statement to CBCNews, the provincial Department of Justice and Public Safety said there are several options available topeople getting out of jail, including shelter services, addictions treatment and mental health day programming at Hillsborough Hospital.

Funding is also available for non-government organizations and community groups to create housing for vulnerable populations.

'Increased chances of success'

It's not just those released from the Provincial Correctional Centre who are having a hard time finding housing.

Islanders finishing federal prison sentences have a hard time making it home.

Two years ago, a group applied to run a halfway house on P.E.I., but the plan was scrapped after community pushback.

Joffre Theriault, president and CEO of Atlantic Human Services, which operates a 21-bed community residential facility in Moncton for people transitioning from jail, said P.E.I. would benefit from a halfway house.

"If the individuals, you know, have good supports at home, in their home community and that's where they want to return it does have increased chances of success upon their release."