History: In 1983, The Salvation Army opened its first federal halfway house at 8151 Dufferin Street, just outside of Metro Toronto.

The Centre is named after Brigadier Archibald, who recognized that men faced their greatest difficulties upon release from prison, and proposed to the federal government, in 1906, that "support from someone concerned about their welfare" would likely increase prisoners’ chances of integrating in the community.

The proposal was readily accepted, and Brigadier Archibald became the first person to provide such a service to men upon their release, hence the first parole officer in the Dominion of Canada.

Description: At the present time, W.P. Archibald Centre is temporarily occupying and working in accordance with two existing Salvation Army facilities with an Administrative Office at a separate Salvation Army location. All three locations are in close proximity to each other. Harbour Light is located about a two-minute walk North of our Admin. Office with a 12-bed capacity. Maxwell Meighen is about a ten-minute walk East of our Admin. Office with a 10-bed capacity. We are located in the city of Toronto with transit and other emanates being readily available.

At Maxwell Meighen residents share a room of three or a dorm of four with a kitchenette. At a later point in the residents stay at Maxwell Meighen he could request a transfer to Harbour Light. At Harbour Light residents are in double occupancy rooms.

Residents Accepted: Adult males serving federal time in the province of Ontario.

Exclusions: Dangerous offenders and dangerous sex offenders designated as such by the Courts. After a lengthy assessment, consideration is given to accepting men with serious psychiatric disorders, a history of violence, or habitual alcoholics/drug abusers.

Admission Procedure: Inmates should get an application from the Inmate Committee, the Case Management Officer, at Millhaven Assessment Unit, or write the Centre directly. After an application is received a Centre representative will conduct interviews at the institution. Visits to each federal institution are every five to eight weeks. A Community Screening Committee will decide final decisions regarding acceptance once the Case Management Officer requests a formal community assessment. No prior contact is necessary for Accelerated Parole Review cases.

Staff: The staff complement includes: Director, Assistant Director, Administrative Assistant, two Counsellors, Chaplain, Bookkeeper, Cook, Health safety and Security Coordinator, Community Resource Coordinator, and three Weekend Supervisors.

Programs: The W.P. Archibald Centre combines an individual and group approach to afford the best possible assistance to its residents.

Among the programs operated internally:

Problem solving group: Wednesday 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Chaplaincy: Voluntary

Counselling: Weekly formal one on one meeting

Employment: On an as needed basis.

Problem Solving Group: This program addresses themes of concerns to residents. Residents participate in setting the agenda. Each theme and residents’ related issues are brainstormed and discussed applying specific problem solving methods, so that residents learn the generic skills required for managing personal difficulties responsibly. Skills learned include: problem recognition and definition, seeking and choosing alternative responses, response implementation and evaluation.

Chaplaincy - As a result of our present location within already existing Salvation Army facilities, Chaplaincy services are readily available to those in need. Referrals to other denominational chaplaincy services could be provided upon individual requests.

Individualized Counselling - The focus is on adjusting to the Centre and community setting, and achieving goals that will result in attaining full parole. Needs will be assessed on an individual basis. Complete offense cycle analysis together with crime relapse prevention planning may be undertaken.

Employment Counselling - Staff run a structured employment search program. Counsellors assist with resume writing, job search skills, interview preparation, etc. Referrals to local Canada Employment Centres and other agencies are arranged.

English as a Second Language program is available at our location through the week.

Assistance is given with referrals to community resources for psychological/psychiatric problems, immigration and family court problems, educational institutions etc.

Institutions your Agency visits: CSC type Programs offered:

All Federal Institutions

Through your P.O. residents are refereed to:

Cognitive Skills

Cognitive Skills Booster

Choices (substance abuse relapse prevention)

Opportunities (domestic assault prevention)

Corcan (employment skills training)

Anger Management

Psychological Counselling

Sex Offender Relapse Prevention

CSC Liaison Office: Downtown Toronto Phone: (416) 973-3465