On January 22nd, 2013, the department of Techniques d’intervention en délinquance of the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles invited the Cégep Marie-Victorin’s UNESCO chair in Applied Research for Education in Prison to deliver a communication on “Education in prison” in the context of an “exchange-meeting” held at its Carleton-sur-Mer campus.
Over sixty participants from various support groups were able to share during this meeting. To name a few: André McKibben, Program Director at the CSSS du Rocher-Percé, Suzanne Bourget, Regional Director of Gaspésie/Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Serge Vallée, Deputy Director at the CRC L’arc-en-soi, Nathalie Motreff, General Director of Justice Alternative, Philippe Beaubien, teacher at the New Carlisle detention facility, as well as students and teachers from the Techniques d’intervention en délinquance, Techniques spécialisées en services correctionnels and Techniques d’éducation spécialisée programs, people involved with young offenders and workers and representatives from halfway house organizations, alternative measures, etc.

(1) Jean-Pierre Simoneau, Director of Operations for the UNESCO chair in Applied Research for Education in Prison. (2) Nathalie Blais, Coordinator of the Techniques d’intervention en délinquance department (TID). (3) Josianne Landry-Allard, teacher in Law courses. (4) Sophie Lévesque, teacher in courses related to psycho sociology. (5) Catherine Thériault, Education Consultant and representative at the Carrefour de la réussite.
The morning was dedicated to the presentation of the “L’Éducation, une rencontre vers la liberté” documentary, the teaching experience at the Cégep Marie-Victorin over the past forty years and the community support program for on-parole offenders (PRET 2000). And finally, the mission, objectives and activities of the UNESCO chair in Applied Research for Education in Prison completed the presentation. The afternoon was reserved for a plenary including all participants, where they shared each other’s realities with regards to the penal system, social reintegration and the importance of education for men and women offenders.
The Cégep Marie-Victorin’s UNESCO chair in Applied Research for Education in Prison of wishes to thank Mr. Daniel Labillois, Director of the Centre UNEVOC at the Carleton-sur-Mer Campus, Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, for introducing us to Nathalie Blais, Coordinator, as well as with her colleague Marion Frappier-Routhier, teacher, both from the Techniques d’intervention en délinquance department (TID), thus allowing us to take part in this event.