ACTIVATORS CRF HOUSE RULES
Welcome! The Prince George Activator Society is a non-profit community service provider that supports adult men transitioning from incarceration to productive and balanced community living. We have been serving the community since 1971 and are a member of the BC Yukon Halfway House Association and the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.
A copy of the following house rules is provided to each resident upon admission to the house. A staff member reviews these rules with the resident, who will sign a duplicated copy for their activity file indicating they have received, reviewed, and understood the house rules and agreed to abide by them.
The Prince George Parole Office regards the Activators house rules to be as important as any special conditions imposed on the resident’s release. Any resident who is unable to conduct himself in compliance with these rules may have restrictions imposed or his residency terminated. Such restrictions may include but are not limited to (a) reduced curfews or house restrictions (b) reduced or cancelled weekend pass privileges (c) additional chores.
Activators operates independently of the Correctional Service of Canada and may withdraw support and/or services at any time, for just cause. The Correctional Service of Canada does not have to approve of such a decision. All parole condition violations will be reported to the Parole Supervisor and/or National Monitoring Centre.
1. Upon arrival at Activators, residents will be assigned a room, given a room key, bedding, and a set of dishes. There is a $5 fee for replacement keys. Residents are responsible for the cleanliness and storage of their dishes. Residents are to follow the proper dish washing policy posted above the common-area sink and must wash all dishes and cutlery to the standard of the staff member on shift. There is a $5 fee for replacement dishes and cutlery. Activators provides laundry facilities, laundry soap and dryer sheets, free of charge. Residents are responsible for washing their own bedding and clothing. Please note that at the time of discharge, all keys, bedding, and dishes must be returned.
2. No resident is to have any contraband during their stay. Contraband includes but is not limited to, pornography, weapons, drugs, alcohol, paraphernalia and/or any new items that do not match your current income. Any of the above items may be confiscated and turned in to the House Manager and the resident’s Parole Officer.
3. Violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Violence is defined as physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse. The exhibition of any such forms of violence may result in immediate termination of residency.
4. All residents are expected to respect the ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, and sexual orientation of all other persons within the residence.
5. All residents are responsible for assisting in the daily upkeep of the facility. Each resident will be assigned weekly chores that are to be completed daily, or when requested by a staff member. Failure to comply with chore completion may result in curfew restrictions and/or pass suspension. There are chore descriptions posted around the CRF. Residents
are permitted to ask fellow residents to cover their chore; however, a $20 fee must be paid to the resident who has agreed to cover the chore. The cash transaction must be completed in front of CRF staff.
6. Residents residing at Activators will be expected to use their time daily in a meaningful way. This could be to address one of the following but is not limited to: programming, employment searches or training, educational and vocational upgrading, volunteering, support groups, addressing health and/or mental health concerns, and planning for release from the CRF.
7. New residents need time to settle into the CRF, their community and new routine. During the first week, an early curfew of 1700 is imposed. Residents can sign out in the morning from 0700 to 1200 and again from 1200 to 1700. After the first week is completed, residents will then be able to sign out from 1700 to 2359. This is the Activators final curfew. If residents are not back on premises at this time, CRF staff are required to notify the National Monitoring Centre, within 10 minutes of the curfew violation. All residents are required to report back to Activators every day at 1200 and 1700 unless they are working, in program, on pass, or otherwise previously authorized by their Parole Officer. Please note it is CSC policy that residents are to be in-house for at least seven consecutive hours.
8. Residents must sign in and out of the CRF upon every departure and arrival. Upon departure, the resident must report to the front office, use the punch card system and provide specific destinations to staff, allowing a justifiable amount of time for each. All residents are expected to phone Activators in the event of a location change, or unexpected delay.
9. Residents may not sign out to any private residences, without getting pre-approval by a Parole Officer. This is usually done by the way of a Community Assessment, completed by CSC. In addition, all weekend and/or overnight passes must also be pre-approved by a Parole Officer. If the pass is located within the city, an in-house pass will be generated, complete with the exact address, name of the person residing at the residence, due-back times, etc. Residents will be given a copy for reference and the resident will sign a copy for the CRF acknowledging the terms of the pass.
10. Visitors are welcome at Activators but must always check in with the front office, to sign-in and out, using the Visitor’s Log Book. They will be asked to provide a piece of government photo ID which will be photocopied for the resident’s activity file. Please note visiting hours are from 1000-2200 hours. Visiting is limited to common areas of the house (downstairs lounge, outside). Visiting outside in personal vehicles is prohibited unless the occupants of the vehicle check in with the front office and provide photo ID as well as a license plate number. Residents are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their guests. Visitors are not permitted in resident bedrooms, upstairs, or be left alone. Any visitors under the influence of drugs/alcohol or demonstrating any inappropriate or aggressive behaviour will be asked to leave.
11. Intra-room visiting with other residents of Activators is permitted. Residents must keep the door ajar at all times during the visit and there is no intra-room visiting after curfew.
12. Meal times at Activators are as follows: 0700 – 0800 (breakfast time: consists of toast, cereal, fruit), 1200 – 1230 (lunch time), 1700 – 1715 (dinner time) 1930 – 2030 (snack time). All meals are prepared in accordance with the Canada Food Guide & Health Regulations. Those who require a meal to be set aside or saved for them must ask staff in advance and have a valid reason for such (working/in program/school). Residents who work the next day can make a lunch at snack time and have it stored in the Activators fridge overnight. In accordance with Northern Health regulations, all food prepared by Activators kitchen staff cannot be taken up to resident bedrooms.
13. Meal time etiquette includes washing up before entering the food line, not eating off your plate while in the food line, and not using any handheld items or headphones while in the food line.
14. Access to internet is available at all times but residents should be respectful of other persons in the house. Resident cellphone use is permitted in/around Activators; however, the number must be provided to CRF staff and their Parole Officer. There is a telephone in available in the common-area for resident use to make local calls. The office line is unavailable to residents. Please be considerate of others while using the phone and limit conversations to a reasonable time frame. All residents should receive personal calls at 250-596-3023.
15. Residents who have a vehicle must supply Activators staff with a copy of their driver’s license and a copy of their insurance. Any vehicles void of valid insurance are not permitted on and/or around the premises. Residents must park across the street from Activators as the front of the house is reserved for staff, visitors, contractors, and emergency personnel.
16. Activators is a smoke free environment. In accordance with WorkSafe BC, smoking is not permitted in the facility or within three meters of any doorway. Smoking is only permitted outside by/inside the gazebo and on the upper rear deck. Staff, residents, and visitors must use ashtrays for cigarette ashes and butts. Do not use the side of any structure (the house, gazebo, picnic table) to put out cigarettes. This is destruction of property and shows a lack of respect for the facility. Any resident caught smoking in the CRF will be fined $250 for the first infraction; the second infraction may result in removal from the facility.
17. Room searches may be conducted where there is suspicion of illegal activity or contraband. Staff on all shifts will conduct room checks to ensure both general cleanliness and tidiness of the rooms and house safety.
18. All residents who are unemployed but are following their correctional plan and have no other means of income will receive daily maintenance allowance every Friday. Residents contribute $0.25 a day ($1.75 a week) to the Residents Welfare Fund to assist with resident cable and phone lines.
19. All medications must be turned in to CRF staff upon admittance and/or upon receiving a new prescription or refill. All prescribed medication will be stored in the front office. When medication is taken, the time will be documented and the medication sheet with be initialed by both staff and residents.
20. Activators is not responsible for any items that are lost, stolen or damaged in any way during residency. Property left behind upon a resident’s departure (UAL, suspension, etc.) will be immediately secured and itemized. Residents will be asked to designate an authorized person or charity to receive effects upon admittance, in the event this should occur. All personal effects will be shipped to the authorized contact 31 days after the resident’s departure. Residents are permitted to bring a total of five boxes of their possessions (including their television if applicable) into Activators. Televisions must not exceed 32 inches. If a resident has more personal effects, these will be required to be stored off premises at the personal cost of the resident.
21. Resident rooms are equipped with the necessary furniture required for comfort. Residents are not permitted to bring additional furniture into Activators. Residents are not permitted to alter the walls of their assigned room in any way that would cause permanent damage (nail, drill, or hang items) without prior permission from the House Manager.
22. It is mandatory that all residents attend House Meetings, which are conducted once monthly and are held at 1645 hours. Meeting dates are posted around the CRF. The only valid excuse for missing a meeting is if a resident is scheduled to work or has received prior approval from the House Manager or Parole Officer.
23. On a monthly basis, Activators is required by CSC to provide a summary report called a Resident Action Plan. This details a resident’s goals, problems and successes in areas of personal growth, employment, education, recreation, communication skills, stress management, and if residents are following their individual Correctional Plan. To complete this, residents will be asked to discuss the above in an informal manner with an assigned staff member on a regular basis. Residents will be provided with and sign a copy of the final report. The Resident Action Plan will be shared with the resident’s Parole Officer during a case conference meeting. When there is a change in activities and/or relationships, please advise the CRF staff and Parole Officer as necessary.
24. All residents are entitled to certain rights and privileges during their residency. All Activators staff are available to answer questions and address concerns about these rights and their protection. Should a resident’s rights be infringed, a grievance process is in place to address the infringement.
I. During their stay at Activators, residents shall enjoy shelter, food, and reasonable privacy.
II. Each resident shall be treated in accordance with Activators values, mission statement, and guiding principles.
III. Grievances can be pursued in the following order: (a) raised with the appropriate staff member (b) raised at the House Meeting, if appropriate (c) taken to the House Manager of Activators (d) taken to the Director of Operations of Activators (e) taken to the Executive Director of Activators.
I have read and understand all aspects of the rules listed on the previous pages. I am willing to follow and comply with all the listed rules and regulations and I understand the consequences of not following such.
A copy of the following house rules is provided to each resident upon admission to the house. A staff member reviews these rules with the resident, who will sign a duplicated copy for their activity file indicating they have received, reviewed, and understood the house rules and agreed to abide by them.
The Prince George Parole Office regards the Activators house rules to be as important as any special conditions imposed on the resident’s release. Any resident who is unable to conduct himself in compliance with these rules may have restrictions imposed or his residency terminated. Such restrictions may include but are not limited to (a) reduced curfews or house restrictions (b) reduced or cancelled weekend pass privileges (c) additional chores.
Activators operates independently of the Correctional Service of Canada and may withdraw support and/or services at any time, for just cause. The Correctional Service of Canada does not have to approve of such a decision. All parole condition violations will be reported to the Parole Supervisor and/or National Monitoring Centre.
1. Upon arrival at Activators, residents will be assigned a room, given a room key, bedding, and a set of dishes. There is a $5 fee for replacement keys. Residents are responsible for the cleanliness and storage of their dishes. Residents are to follow the proper dish washing policy posted above the common-area sink and must wash all dishes and cutlery to the standard of the staff member on shift. There is a $5 fee for replacement dishes and cutlery. Activators provides laundry facilities, laundry soap and dryer sheets, free of charge. Residents are responsible for washing their own bedding and clothing. Please note that at the time of discharge, all keys, bedding, and dishes must be returned.
2. No resident is to have any contraband during their stay. Contraband includes but is not limited to, pornography, weapons, drugs, alcohol, paraphernalia and/or any new items that do not match your current income. Any of the above items may be confiscated and turned in to the House Manager and the resident’s Parole Officer.
3. Violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Violence is defined as physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse. The exhibition of any such forms of violence may result in immediate termination of residency.
4. All residents are expected to respect the ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, and sexual orientation of all other persons within the residence.
5. All residents are responsible for assisting in the daily upkeep of the facility. Each resident will be assigned weekly chores that are to be completed daily, or when requested by a staff member. Failure to comply with chore completion may result in curfew restrictions and/or pass suspension. There are chore descriptions posted around the CRF. Residents
are permitted to ask fellow residents to cover their chore; however, a $20 fee must be paid to the resident who has agreed to cover the chore. The cash transaction must be completed in front of CRF staff.
6. Residents residing at Activators will be expected to use their time daily in a meaningful way. This could be to address one of the following but is not limited to: programming, employment searches or training, educational and vocational upgrading, volunteering, support groups, addressing health and/or mental health concerns, and planning for release from the CRF.
7. New residents need time to settle into the CRF, their community and new routine. During the first week, an early curfew of 1700 is imposed. Residents can sign out in the morning from 0700 to 1200 and again from 1200 to 1700. After the first week is completed, residents will then be able to sign out from 1700 to 2359. This is the Activators final curfew. If residents are not back on premises at this time, CRF staff are required to notify the National Monitoring Centre, within 10 minutes of the curfew violation. All residents are required to report back to Activators every day at 1200 and 1700 unless they are working, in program, on pass, or otherwise previously authorized by their Parole Officer. Please note it is CSC policy that residents are to be in-house for at least seven consecutive hours.
8. Residents must sign in and out of the CRF upon every departure and arrival. Upon departure, the resident must report to the front office, use the punch card system and provide specific destinations to staff, allowing a justifiable amount of time for each. All residents are expected to phone Activators in the event of a location change, or unexpected delay.
9. Residents may not sign out to any private residences, without getting pre-approval by a Parole Officer. This is usually done by the way of a Community Assessment, completed by CSC. In addition, all weekend and/or overnight passes must also be pre-approved by a Parole Officer. If the pass is located within the city, an in-house pass will be generated, complete with the exact address, name of the person residing at the residence, due-back times, etc. Residents will be given a copy for reference and the resident will sign a copy for the CRF acknowledging the terms of the pass.
10. Visitors are welcome at Activators but must always check in with the front office, to sign-in and out, using the Visitor’s Log Book. They will be asked to provide a piece of government photo ID which will be photocopied for the resident’s activity file. Please note visiting hours are from 1000-2200 hours. Visiting is limited to common areas of the house (downstairs lounge, outside). Visiting outside in personal vehicles is prohibited unless the occupants of the vehicle check in with the front office and provide photo ID as well as a license plate number. Residents are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their guests. Visitors are not permitted in resident bedrooms, upstairs, or be left alone. Any visitors under the influence of drugs/alcohol or demonstrating any inappropriate or aggressive behaviour will be asked to leave.
11. Intra-room visiting with other residents of Activators is permitted. Residents must keep the door ajar at all times during the visit and there is no intra-room visiting after curfew.
12. Meal times at Activators are as follows: 0700 – 0800 (breakfast time: consists of toast, cereal, fruit), 1200 – 1230 (lunch time), 1700 – 1715 (dinner time) 1930 – 2030 (snack time). All meals are prepared in accordance with the Canada Food Guide & Health Regulations. Those who require a meal to be set aside or saved for them must ask staff in advance and have a valid reason for such (working/in program/school). Residents who work the next day can make a lunch at snack time and have it stored in the Activators fridge overnight. In accordance with Northern Health regulations, all food prepared by Activators kitchen staff cannot be taken up to resident bedrooms.
13. Meal time etiquette includes washing up before entering the food line, not eating off your plate while in the food line, and not using any handheld items or headphones while in the food line.
14. Access to internet is available at all times but residents should be respectful of other persons in the house. Resident cellphone use is permitted in/around Activators; however, the number must be provided to CRF staff and their Parole Officer. There is a telephone in available in the common-area for resident use to make local calls. The office line is unavailable to residents. Please be considerate of others while using the phone and limit conversations to a reasonable time frame. All residents should receive personal calls at 250-596-3023.
15. Residents who have a vehicle must supply Activators staff with a copy of their driver’s license and a copy of their insurance. Any vehicles void of valid insurance are not permitted on and/or around the premises. Residents must park across the street from Activators as the front of the house is reserved for staff, visitors, contractors, and emergency personnel.
16. Activators is a smoke free environment. In accordance with WorkSafe BC, smoking is not permitted in the facility or within three meters of any doorway. Smoking is only permitted outside by/inside the gazebo and on the upper rear deck. Staff, residents, and visitors must use ashtrays for cigarette ashes and butts. Do not use the side of any structure (the house, gazebo, picnic table) to put out cigarettes. This is destruction of property and shows a lack of respect for the facility. Any resident caught smoking in the CRF will be fined $250 for the first infraction; the second infraction may result in removal from the facility.
17. Room searches may be conducted where there is suspicion of illegal activity or contraband. Staff on all shifts will conduct room checks to ensure both general cleanliness and tidiness of the rooms and house safety.
18. All residents who are unemployed but are following their correctional plan and have no other means of income will receive daily maintenance allowance every Friday. Residents contribute $0.25 a day ($1.75 a week) to the Residents Welfare Fund to assist with resident cable and phone lines.
19. All medications must be turned in to CRF staff upon admittance and/or upon receiving a new prescription or refill. All prescribed medication will be stored in the front office. When medication is taken, the time will be documented and the medication sheet with be initialed by both staff and residents.
20. Activators is not responsible for any items that are lost, stolen or damaged in any way during residency. Property left behind upon a resident’s departure (UAL, suspension, etc.) will be immediately secured and itemized. Residents will be asked to designate an authorized person or charity to receive effects upon admittance, in the event this should occur. All personal effects will be shipped to the authorized contact 31 days after the resident’s departure. Residents are permitted to bring a total of five boxes of their possessions (including their television if applicable) into Activators. Televisions must not exceed 32 inches. If a resident has more personal effects, these will be required to be stored off premises at the personal cost of the resident.
21. Resident rooms are equipped with the necessary furniture required for comfort. Residents are not permitted to bring additional furniture into Activators. Residents are not permitted to alter the walls of their assigned room in any way that would cause permanent damage (nail, drill, or hang items) without prior permission from the House Manager.
22. It is mandatory that all residents attend House Meetings, which are conducted once monthly and are held at 1645 hours. Meeting dates are posted around the CRF. The only valid excuse for missing a meeting is if a resident is scheduled to work or has received prior approval from the House Manager or Parole Officer.
23. On a monthly basis, Activators is required by CSC to provide a summary report called a Resident Action Plan. This details a resident’s goals, problems and successes in areas of personal growth, employment, education, recreation, communication skills, stress management, and if residents are following their individual Correctional Plan. To complete this, residents will be asked to discuss the above in an informal manner with an assigned staff member on a regular basis. Residents will be provided with and sign a copy of the final report. The Resident Action Plan will be shared with the resident’s Parole Officer during a case conference meeting. When there is a change in activities and/or relationships, please advise the CRF staff and Parole Officer as necessary.
24. All residents are entitled to certain rights and privileges during their residency. All Activators staff are available to answer questions and address concerns about these rights and their protection. Should a resident’s rights be infringed, a grievance process is in place to address the infringement.
I. During their stay at Activators, residents shall enjoy shelter, food, and reasonable privacy.
II. Each resident shall be treated in accordance with Activators values, mission statement, and guiding principles.
III. Grievances can be pursued in the following order: (a) raised with the appropriate staff member (b) raised at the House Meeting, if appropriate (c) taken to the House Manager of Activators (d) taken to the Director of Operations of Activators (e) taken to the Executive Director of Activators.
I have read and understand all aspects of the rules listed on the previous pages. I am willing to follow and comply with all the listed rules and regulations and I understand the consequences of not following such.
