History: The Detweiler House was originally opened in 1970 by The Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston and was named after past President and benefactor, Joyce Detweiler.

Description: Detweiler House is a Community Residential Facility (CRF) and is located near downtown Kingston, close to all amenities and on a Bus route. The neighbourhood includes a mix of single and multiple person dwellings. The CRF has room for up to ten women. There are two double rooms, six single rooms, three washrooms, a kitchen, dining area, two lounges, a library, laundry facilities and a large yard. Each room has a window, single bed(s), closet, dresser and night table. The House is supervised by Elizabeth Fry Society's Residential Program Staff who are on duty 24 hours a day, everyday of the year.

Residents Accepted: The House serves as a residence for adult women who are serving their sentences under the terms and conditions of Day Parole, Full Parole or Statutory Release imposed by the National Parole Board. It also serves the needs of women on Bail, Provincial Parole, Temporary Absence Pass (TAP), or Probation. Generally, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston does not restrict admission to the house unless the needs of the client are greater than the services offered.

Exclusions: Only those whose needs are greater than the services offered.

Procedure: Contact can be made through Elizabeth Fry Program Staff or Parole Supervisors and/or the case management team at Grand Valley or the Isabel McNeill House for federal women. Contact can be made through E. Fry Staff and/or case management at Quinte Detention Centre for provincially sentenced women. Referrals are also accepted from Parole Officers, Probation Officers, Lawyers and other community agencies as well as self-referrals.

E. Fry Program Staff assesses the applicant and provides information to the Joyce Detweiler House Admissions Committee, which makes the final decision regarding acceptance. The applicant is then notified in writing. Usually, all women are accepted.

Program: The purpose of the Residential Program is to assist residents in making the transition between incarceration and the community successfully. This is done in part through mutual development of an individualized program plan. The CRF has conditions and restrictions, but provides supportive programs and individual counselling for women. Residents are encouraged to define their problems and to find solutions to them. Liaison with community resources helps to address needs, which are not at the CRF. Programming will include but not limited to: education/training, employment, health/nutrition, substance abuse, fraud/shoplifting intervention, survivor issues, emotional and behaviour problems, housing, budgeting/financial needs, problem solving and legal needs.