Useful Information

Halfway House

What is a halfway house?

Halfway houses are organizations acting as a pied-a-terre within a community for individuals with a criminal record going through the process of social integration or reintegration, operating within the frame of gradual release.

They allow individuals to fulfill their basic needs (shelter, food, etc.) so they can continue their social reintegration through job search and personal development. These houses provide different programs depending on the resource, such as drug abuse, sexual offences, anger management, etc.

Three types of halfway houses

  • Community-based Residential Centre (CRC)

    CRCs offer a program supported by a team of professionals (social workers, criminologists, etc.), to which volunteers are sometimes added. CRCs are managed by a board of directors formed of volunteers and must comply with strict standards.

  • Community-based Home-care Centre (CHC)

    CHCs offer a program of activities supported by people with related life experiences, paraprofessionals who care about the community and act by human solidarity. CHCs can also employ intervention professionals.

  • Community Correctional Centre (CCC)

    CCCs are installations managed by Correctional Service Canada that lodge offenders under federal control who were released in the community through unescorted temporary absence, day parole, complete release on parole, statutory release and statutory release with residency.