22. What Comes Next? Supporting Individuals After Institutional Discharge

Every day, different institutions—including jails and detention centres, hospitals, addiction treatment facilities, child welfare organizations and mental health programs—return people to broader society with little or no support. Their exits are often unplanned, and ongoing supports are not established in advance. This lack of planning and support increases the likelihood of relapse, backsliding or re-offending. Discharge planning services should be provided to support people leaving any type of institution, particularly—but not only—after a long stay. As Launa states, “People of all kinds need access for integration into society. Policies need to be established to support what is working, and to fill needs to promote independence” (Leboe, 2015).

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Author(s): 
Editor(s): 
Inclusion Working Group
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness
Location: 
Canada
Publication Date: 
2015
Publisher(s): 
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness