SASKATOON — The Elizabeth Fry Society is proud of its work helping female offenders transition back into society after serving their time in the justice system, hosting a range of programs through the Wikowin Supportive Housing project.
Wikowin is a 10-unit housing complex with five trained support staff available daily to assist female offenders with their needs, and it is central to the non-profit group’s work. It provides affordable housing and a safe space for female offenders who are trying to get their lives in order.
On Tuesday, June 9, at the Western Development Museum, the non-profit group received an additional $918,000 in funding over the next two years, with half to be provided in 2026, from the provincial government to ensure female offenders get the help they need to return to their normal lives rather than reoffend.
Elizabeth Fry Society executive director Nicole Obrigavitch, during the announcement by Community Safety Minister Michael Weger, said their program has produced success stories that highlight the value and impact of its individualized support.
Obrigavitch said one woman’s legal path changed significantly, with the six-year federal prison sentence imposed on her being transferred into a drug treatment court program, allowing her to focus on rehabilitation rather than incarceration.
“While living in the supportive housing program, she completed the two-year drug court process and worked toward a new career. She completed her certificate in addictions counselling and now works for an addictions program in Regina. She's doing amazing,” she said.
She added that these are the stories they see all the time, a story she frequently shares because it highlights the transformative impact of providing women with stable housing, support and opportunities for personal growth.
“Every individual woman who comes into the program is given an individualized healing plan. That's what makes it so successful. I met with our program manager for the province the other day and discussed some of the data that we are collecting,” said Obrigavitch.
“Since it is a rather new program and we only have 10 beds, we do have limited data in that respect. But we are getting a lot of really good numbers and success with the women that we're supporting. We supported 11 women reunifying with their children in the last year.”
She added that they had also provided 269 safe nights of housing, aside from giving the women awareness, options and stability, showing there is an alternative lifestyle to living on the streets or struggling with addictions.
Obrigavitch said their staff are trained in various aspects of providing assistance and counselling, with some having experience working in multiple community-based organizations. Their staff also have compassion, emotional awareness and empathy in supporting the women.
Weger said the announcement is about supporting women who are trying to rebuild their lives and create better futures for themselves and their families, something the government and the community are responsible for, rather than judging them.
“When a woman leaves custody, she may have many concerns. They may ask themselves, ‘Where will I sleep tonight? How do I reconnect with my kids? How do I stay sober? Who is going to help me when I feel overwhelmed?’ These are not simple questions, but life-shaping ones,” said Weger.
“It often impacts whether a person successfully reintegrates back into their community or returns to custody. I see the strength and potential in every woman I meet through my work with the Ministry of Community Safety.”
He added that corrections are more than incarceration, and funding for the reintegration program will support housing assistance, mental health counselling, addiction treatment and other resources that help former inmates successfully transition back into society.
Saskatchewan NDP Community Safety Shadow Minister Nicole Sarauer said the Opposition supports rehabilitation efforts in the province and praised the work of the Elizabeth Fry Society, while also welcoming the new initiative and associated investments.
“Supporting rehabilitation in Saskatchewan is something our party has always believed in. We need to ensure that there is a way to address the root causes of crime and have a path to real rehabilitation,” said Sarauer.
"Our caucus has always deeply valued and appreciated the work of the Elizabeth Fry Society, and we are grateful for their advocacy. We welcome this initiative and the investments behind it. But this is not enough to address the emergency that we are seeing."
