Corrections Committee
Corrections Committee Greater Toronto Area Intergroup.
The GTA Inter-District Corrections Committee coordinates the efforts of A.A. members and groups who carry the message of recovery to alcoholics in correctional facilities. Our purpose is to ensure that individuals in custody have access to A.A.’s program of recovery and a connection to the Fellowship upon release
About the Committee
The committee meets on the 1st Tuesday of every month to share and coordinate the resources of the eight Districts within the Greater Toronto Area. Together, we support AA service in the following facilities:
- Toronto South Detention Centre
- Toronto East Detention Centre
- Ontario Correctional Institute
Our work includes:
- Coordinating volunteers who bring A.A. meetings into correctional institutions
- Connecting individuals being released with A.A. members through Bridging the Gap
- Reaching out to Probation & Parole offices to offer A.A. information
- Supporting the PenPal and Corrections Correspondence programs
Bridging the Gap
Experience has shown that attending an A.A. meeting on the day of release is one of the most effective ways to support a sober transition. It is strongly suggested that an A.A. member in custody be connected with an A.A. member on the outside—preferably of the same gender and with at least one year of sobriety—who can meet them upon release and accompany them to their first meeting.
This vital connection helps “bridge the gap” between the institution and the A.A. community.
(Source: Corrections Workbook, M-45i, p. 36)
Corrections Correspondence & PenPal Programs
The Corrections Correspondence Service is one of the most effective ways for A.A. members to reach those behind the walls. The General Service Office receives approximately 35 letters per day from individuals in custody requesting:
- A.A. literature
- Contact with A.A. members
- Interim sponsorship
- Ongoing correspondence
For many, especially in large facilities, regular individual sharing is difficult. Correspondence programs allow people in custody to connect one-on-one with outside A.A.s and engage with the A.A. program in a meaningful, personal way.
Why We Carry the Message Behind the Walls
A.A. members engage in Corrections work because it provides an opportunity to carry the message to alcoholics who may never otherwise encounter A.A. An active Corrections Committee:
- Builds strong relationships with correctional staff
- Provides literature and information about A.A.
- Supports the formation and maintenance of A.A. groups inside facilities
This work helps ensure that any alcoholic—regardless of their circumstances—has the chance to discover A.A.
(Source: Corrections Workbook, M-45i, p. 4)
