New Day Program – Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP)

New Day is a referral-based program at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP) which provides community-based Intensive Case Management (ICM) to persons who are living with significant and/or persistent mental health issues or concurrent disorders. Using a trauma informed approach, the Intensive Case Manager (ICM) assists participants while in custody begin to develop comprehensive support plans to improve community functioning and quality of life.

Through in-reach, the ICM program begins with the development of a therapeutic, trusting relationship with the participants. Assessments of participant needs are completed, and personal goals are established along with the start of a transition plan for release. This can include but is not limited to supportive counselling, systems navigation, planning for basic needs (stable housing, financial security, healthy relationship support, community resource support, etc.).

Program Eligibility

• Age 18 years or older
• Confirmed/suspected psychiatric history of significant functional impairment
• Challenges in daily living due to psychopathology (no less than 6 months)
• Currently incarcerated with a minimum of two months remaining in sentence
• Remand referrals may be considered
• Voluntarily participation and goal setting
• Willing to meet with ICM weekly
• Reside in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise or CBS following release

Program Process

1. Participant consents to referral to the program
2. Initial Assessment – clinical and social needs identified
3. Screening and acceptance to the program
4. ICM provides in-reach with transition planning and mental health support
5. Participant is released from custody and ICM provides case management in community with need and goal settings reviewed weekly
6. Program participation for 12-18  months during which participants achieve independence and are released from the program

Program Supports

• Individualized case plans
• Mental health brief counselling and referrals
• Boundary settings
• Promote self-advocacy
• Access to health care, education, employment programs and community support
• Food security, stable housing, and income support
• Skill building in topics such as, relationships, communication, personal hygiene, emotional regulation, and problem solving
• Support from both an ICM and well as a Community Support Worker for goal achievement and community interventions

Values

• Trauma informed participant case management
• Strengths-based assessment and evaluation
• Person-centered program delivery
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Social justice advocacy
• Healthy communication and relationship building
• Healthy boundary setting and independence
• Participant led goal setting
• Respect and worth of all people

Referral Process

Referrals are accepted from:

• HMP Classification Officers
• The Mental Health and Addictions Team, NL Health Services
• Community agencies and agents of the legal/court system
• Self-referral