Lunch & Learn: Women’s Re-entry Post-incarceration: Challenges and Successes in Transitions

Join us in our series of free lunchtime talks about social issues and learn about diverse ways to help create a community in which all people are full and valued participants!

When: Thursday, March 2, 2023, @ noon!

Speakers: Jana Grekul, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Alberta

Jenna Robinson, Research Assistant, Department of Sociology, University of Alberta

Summary: Over the past ten years, the number of women imprisoned in Canada increased by almost 30%. For Indigenous women, this number was 60%. The majority of these women will transition to community at some point in their lives, many within months or a few years of serving time in prison. Previous research reveals the importance of socio-economic disadvantage, systemic discrimination, cultural dislocation, sexism, victimization, and criminalization as critical to understanding and supporting women as they transition to community after serving time in prison. Re-entry is a critical process that impacts quality of life, chances of reoffending, and success. Drawing on interviews with formerly incarcerated women and frontline professionals, we will explore experiences of re-entry, supports that assist this transition, gaps that exist, and experiences of success that provide the women and those who support them with encouragement and hope. Suggestions for improving the chances of successful re-entry will be discussed.

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We’re also pleased to open up our Lunch and Learn sessions to other non-profits as a way of introducing agencies and their incredible programs and services to other community members. For those interested in participating, we would love to host you at a future event. Please direct any inquiries to reception@edmontonsocialplanning.ca