Services and Supports
Pre-release Planning and Transition Support
Are you getting released from a correctional centre? Since inception, Unlocking the Gates Services Society has provided support to individuals leaving correctional facilities in British Columbia. UTG Peer Mentors connect with individuals during their stay in custody to help with pre-release planning and offer peer support during the transition days following release.
Connecting early allows us to help plan for your release and increases the chances of a successful reintegration.
We offer support by:
- Connecting directly with individuals in custody, to ensure they feel supported for their transition back to community. This can include meeting individuals at the gate the day they are released.
- Meeting individuals where they are at and walking alongside to support reintegration. This can include supporting individuals to meet their goals in community to reduce the likelihood of re-offending.
- Being peer-led. Everyone who works with us has been incarcerated. Meaning that we’ve been in your shoes and we know the challenges of transitioning back to the community.
Warrant Program
Do you have an outstanding warrant? UTG provides immediate support to individuals in the community with outstanding warrants.
We offer support by:
- Working with BC Probation Officers and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to locate and support clients with active arrest warrants.
- Connecting clients with legal aid and helping them navigate the court systems.
- Providing letters of support for court appearances.
- Providing transportation/accompaniment to court appearances.
- Connecting individuals to community resources/services.
- Reducing the likelihood of homelessness, substance use harms, overdose, and cycles of incarceration.
Probation/Bail Resolution Program
Are you on probation or bail? UTG’s Peer Mentors support individuals to successfully complete their probation/bail order. The Probation/Bail Resolution program was set up to help ensure adherence to probation/bail conditions to limit breaches and subsequent charges for people serving community sentences.
We offer support by:
- Connecting individuals with their probation/bail supervisor.
- Accompanying individuals to probation/bail appointments or court appearances.
- Helping to connect individuals to housing or treatment/recovery centres.
- Connecting individuals to community resources/services.
Test-Link-Call Project
Are you living with chronic hepatitis C, or hepatitis B, or HIV infection? If you want help to connect to care, you may be eligible to join the Test, Link, Call (TLC) Project. TLC is a collaboration between Unlocking the Gates, BC Centre for Disease Control, and BC Hepatitis Network to help people who have experienced or are at risk of being criminalized to connect to care for hepatitis C, hepatitis B, or HIV treatment.
We offer support by:
- Connecting individuals to healthcare providers for hepatitis C, hepatitis B, or HIV treatment.
- Reminding individuals about medical appointments and providing accompanyment to appointments.
- Listening to concerns and providing support before or during treatment.
- Helping individuals get set up with a free smartphone and 6-month calling/texting credit to help you stay connected with their care team during treatment.
