By Lucas Lelardoux Oliger
Numerous fantasies swirl around the world of the incarcerated. Movies and anecdotes have forged a common notion of the origins and the destinies of people who have been to jail. It’s commonplace to hear, in the public forum, people complain about crimes committed by ex-cons, for who prison has “taught them nothing.”
It’s a good idea to verify these allegations with experts. La Maison Orléans is an organization principally oriented to help ex-cons reintegrate back into society, even though the house is open to all. Founded by nuns, today in the hands of lay people, it is situated in a quiet residential section of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, a couple of paces from Ontario Street.
Robin, 30, is from France. He is the facilitator for discussion groups. He is very alert and energetic. One of the first things he wants to insist upon is the horizontal, voluntary nature of the organization. La Maison Orléans is not a mandatory step for those leaving prison. Those who go there want to go there. Robin talks about the following programs:
Return to the House is a space where ex-inmates in halfway houses or living on their own can meet to exchange ideas.
Draw me a Hope is a program where five actual inmates in minimum security are brought to the house to meet with youths from the St. Michel Forum jeunesse, many of whom have just recently immigrated to Quebec.
Meditative Restoration is devoted to meditation and other contemplative activities.
These activities are designed to foster social harmony. “These are people for whom returning to society can sometimes be difficult,” and “who can feel quite isolated once free” says Robin. “The role of the Maison Orléans is to allow ex-inmates to come and freely speak about subjects that are open-ended (grief, family relationships, work) and that allow for a sharing” of common experiences.
Martin is interim director-general. His piercing blue eyes strike you first, but also his grounded attitude. You immediately get the feeling that he is worldly wise. He warns that it is too easy to develop preconceived notions about the risks of reoffending.
Ex-cons don’t go back to prison solely for committing another crime, Martin points out. They are also sent back for not respecting parole conditions. Such conditions can include financial restraints, forbidding Internet access, all depending on the individual case. These can be complex conditions to follow for people who, after living a dependent lifestyle in jail, leave prison disorganized. He explains that the house’s main goals include “to develop a person’s critical thinking.”
A lot of the risk depends on the socio-economic context such as poverty, for example. “We will ask: What did you experience during incarceration? What do you think about it? Opinions and positions will come from that. We will do everything to encourage a variety of opinions and lively exchanges.” The house tries to foster new ways for participants to talk with each other, and to see their progress.
La Maison Orléans is a well-oiled machine. Intervenors are conscious of the responsibility they have taken on. Inmates freed from jail tend to be older. It’s surprising to see people that age revealing much of their own struggles, often quite emotionally.
Robin says it is hard not to be moved by the stories he hears. “There are moments during our meetings that people let themselves be fragile, which in everyday society isn’t that common. There is a weight that is lifted off their shoulders.”
Martin admits his job can be emotionally taxing: “When I facilitate a discussion, I have trouble getting to sleep that night. I am still on, I turn things over in my mind, looking back at things. It’s very demanding.”
La Maison Orléans is anchored in its community. It disavows many prejudices in terms of prison, social reintegration and social action. Generally, it believes in education above repression.
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