Perth Courthouse (File photo)
During a freezing rain storm late last year, a man walked into The Table Community Food Centre in Perth without any proper clothing after being released from the courthouse.
Earlier in the day he was in Brockville jail, where all the belongings he went in with remained and then brought to Perth, unaware he was going to be released from there.
He decided to hitchhike back to his apartment in Kingston but knew he wouldn’t survive the elements if he tried as underdressed as he was.
Social Justice and Advocacy Coordinator Stephanie Corrin says she’s since learned this is a province-wide issue.
Corrin says putting people in situations like this can lead to desperate actions.
Corrin has gathered community members together to lobby the provincial government to implement safe-release measures such as clothing and transportation for ex-offenders who find themselves released from court in towns and cities away from where they’re originally booked.
Story by Grant Deme