SERVICES

PASAN offers support services to prisoners, young offenders and their families, as well as to other organizations working on issues of HIV/AIDS and/ or prison.

a) Individual support counselling, advocacy, pre- release planning and referrals for prisoners and young offenders living with HIV/AIDS, primarily in Ontario region institutions. We can assist our clients in accessing proper medical care and support while incarcerated, as well as help to arrange housing and medical/social support upon release. Much of this support is coordinated via telephone through collect calls, although we also do in-person support whenever possible. To date, PASAN has worked with more than 300 HIV positive prisoners and young offenders in over 30 different institutions (both federal and provincial) in six different provinces.

b) The only national AIDS Hotline specifically for prisoners. We accept collect calls from prisoners across Canada at 416-920-9567 and can help you with your questions about HIV/AIDS, and help you get the support you need.

c) An emergency financial assistance fund which provides limited financial support for both provincial and federal prisoners and young offenders living with HIV/AIDS. We can help with things like replacement fees for birth certificates, S.I.N. cards and other necessary ID, vitamins, and travel costs. The availability of these funds vary, and we require proof of HIV status for people accessing the fund.

d) PASAN also provides ongoing support, networking, resources and training for AIDS Services Organizations (ASOs) and other community groups across Ontario. We assist ASOs to set up their own prison outreach and support projects, and act as a referral 'hub' for HIV positive prisoners and young offenders who are transferred from one region to another, thereby helping to ensure a continuity of support.

2) Outreach & Education Services

a) PASAN conducts HIV prevention education programs in many adult and youth institutions in the southern Ontario region. An integral part of this program is our Peer Educators' Group, which is made up entirely of ex-prisoners living with HIV/AIDS. Peer speakers accompany PASAN staff for educationals in prisons, youth facilities, and other institutions. We have found that our Peers are often best able to get across HIV/AIDS information in these settings.

b) PASAN produces a quarterly bulletin entitled 'CELL COUNT'. This unique publication, which is written and edited primarily by prisoners and ex-prisoners themselves, is the only newsletter in Canada providing an uncensored forum for prisoners and young offenders to explore and share their own experiences, ideas, and fears about HIV/AIDS. PASAN distributes 4500 issues a year to prisoners, institutions, and agencies across the country. CELL COUNT is free for prisoners and people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada.

c) PASAN is also available to conduct free organizational and staff training for agencies and institutions working with prison-affected, and drug using populations. We have experience in conducting training not only for community workers and ASO staff, but also for probation/ parole officers, youth custody staff, prison social workers and case management officers.

3) Networking & Advocacy

Since our beginnings in 1991, PASAN has always maintained a focus on systemic advocacy on issues of HIV/AIDS and prisons. Our advocacy is based in a recognition and defense of the fundamental human rights of prisoners, and our perspective derives from PASAN's brief entitled HIV/AIDS in Prison Systems: A Comprehensive Strategy (June 1992). This document, which outlined 40 recommendations for implementing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy in the Canadian prison system, served as the impetus and the basis for the report by the federal government's Expert Committee on AIDS in Prisons (ECAP) in February 1994.

In June 1996, PASAN released the follow-up document HIV/AIDS in Youth Custody Settings: A Comprehensive Strategy which specifically addressed the needs of young offenders. In May 1999, PASAN released HIV/AIDS In The Male-to-Female Transgendered Prison Population: A Comprehensive Strategy.

In August 1995, PASAN organized the First National Workshop on HIV/AIDS in Prison in Kingston, Ontario. PASAN has made presentations on HIV/AIDS in prisons at the XI International Conference on AIDS in Vancouver (July 1996) and has appeared before the Parliamentary Subcommittee on AIDS in Ottawa (November 1996) and the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in Washington, DC (June 1998).

PASAN maintains an Activist Committee which monitors and advocates on issues affecting prisoners and/or people living with HIV/AIDS on a local, provincial and national basis. This committee maintains working links with other prisoners' rights groups, prison projects, and ASOs across Canada. We also maintain an ad- hoc Advisory Committee of prisoners who assist us in identifying emerging issues and strategizing responses.

PASAN'S OUTREACH AND SUPPORT SCHEDULE

MEN

CECC - Look for a Sign-up sheet or put in a request to the Social Work Dept to attend.

CNCC - Look for a Sign-up sheet or put in a request to the Social Work Dept to attend.

DON JAIL - The 2nd Wednesday of each month between 3:00 - 4:30 pm. Put in a request to the Volunteer Coordinator to attend.

THE EAST - The 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:30 - 3:30 pm. Put in a request to the Volunteer Coordinator to attend.

WOMEN

CECC - The 2nd Wednesday of each month. Put in a request to Grace King to attend.

YOUTH

We visit different youth facilities throughout the city of Toronto on a regular basis.
For more information call Trevor at: 416-920-9567.

FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS

We visit periodically, trying to get to each prison at least every two or three months. We see people individually and in group settings, talking about HIV/AIDS and Hep C. If you wish to know more or you have HIV please contact us to find out when we will be at your institution.

We visit: Kingston Pen, Warkworth, Collins Bay, Bath, Frontenac, Millhaven, Fenbrook, Beavercreek and Pittsburgh.

HIV+ CLIENT SERVICES

If you would like to see your worker you will need to book an appointment with them. This way we can make sure that we are available to meet with you.

ID REPLACEMENT

RELEASE FUNDS - $50 (twice a year max.)

TOKENS - 4 per week while in supply.

NEEDLE EXCHANGE is Monday and Wednesday to Friday: 9-12 and 1:30-5:00.

SAFER CRACK USE KITS - 2 kits per week, Monday and Wednesday to Friday: 9-12 and 1:30-5:00.

CLOTHING - 3 items per month.

Phone Hours are Monday, Wednesday - Friday from 9 - 5 pm.
We do not accept collect calls on Tuesdays!
Sometimes we (and the phones) are very busy … so please keep trying !!!

~ SERVICES ~

1) Support Services