Prisons

Provincial Re-integration Worker

The main goal of the program is to empower women on their journey towards a positive, productive lifestyle. To fulfill this objective the Provincial Re-integration Worker assists the women in attaining the necessary tools and coping skills to live successfully in their communities. The Provincial Re-integration Worker performs the following tasks, but is not limited to:
  • Complete intake of information for each woman requesting services;
  • Assist in the development of a prerelease plan;
  • Counsel provincial women on a weekly basis;
  • Liaise with staff;
  • Advocate on an individual or group basis for women incarcerated;
  • Meet with Unit Administration to address ongoing concerns;
  • Document all visit information (number of women on unit and in court, issues);
  • Provide relevant information to women in conflict with the law.

Provincial Prison

Prisoners within provincial prisons have been sentenced to less than two years incarceration. The Portage Correctional Centre, located in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, is the only provincial prison, which houses women. It is located at 329 Duke Avenue. There are 30 beds designated for women within this prison, however to date the average number of women sentenced to provincial time is between 10-15.

This is a non-smoking facility, which means that prisoners and staff must refrain from smoking at all times. This policy includes times spent outside on the prison grounds.

Most of the women at provincial prison have committed theft, fraud, or drug related offences. Some women may be placed here on remand waiting for trial or sentencing. Suspension of parole is another reason women may be sent to the Portage Correctional Centre while waiting to be transferred back to a federal institution.


Federal Prison

Individuals sentenced to more than two years incarceration will serve their sentence at a federal prison. Federally sentenced women must serve two-thirds of their sentence before they are able to apply for release. In general, women who have been given a federal sentence in the Prairie Provinces go to Edmonton Institution for Women or Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. There are no male prisoners at Edmonton Institution for Women or at Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. However, there are male staff members.

Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge opened in 1995 and was built to house 25 women. However, the numbers of women sentenced to federal time quickly surpassed the number of beds available. There are women from the prairie provinces of all ages and ethnic backgrounds at Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge for women.

Edmonton Institution for Women opened in 1995 and was built to house 123 women. However, the numbers of women sentenced to federal time quickly surpassed the number of beds available. There are women from the prairie provinces of all ages and ethnic backgrounds at Edmonton Institution for women.


Bail Verification and Supervision Program

Bail Program Brochure  [PDF file]

  • Lenard Duchon -- Supervisor
  • Jo-Anne Pelletier -- Bail Worker
  • Kevin Johnson -- Bail Worker

The Prairie Regional Advocate

The Regional Advocate is a key person within the regional structure of the federal prisons located in the Prairie Provinces. This person may assist the prisoners in day to day issues or assist with larger administrative and policy issues within the federal prison system. The Regional Advocate acts as a voice for the region in facilitating discussion, resolving issues within federal prisons, and assisting in dealing with issues within the region, and flagging issues and cases for national attention.


How To Contact The Provincial Re-integration Worker or the Prairie Regional Advocate

Marcie Tavares is the Provincial Re-integration Worker, and Tracy Booth is the Prairie Regional Advocate. To contact Marcie you can email, provincialresources@efsmanitoba.org and to contact Tracy by email write to execdir@efsmanitoba.org. You can contact either Marcie or Tracy by telephone at 589-7335 ext. 222 in the local calling area, or toll free at 1-800-582-5655.

If leaving a message please be sure to provide a telephone number where you can be reached.