Quick Escape 
August 10th is Prisoners’ Justice Day – a national day of solidarity, advocacy and remembrance that honours people who have died while incarcerated and raises awareness of the systemic injustices faced by people in custody. It is also a day to reflect on how community-led, trauma-informed support can transform the lives of those most impacted.
At YWCA Hamilton, we are committed to supporting women and gender-diverse people involved in justice systems who are disproportionately impacted by gender-based violence, criminalization, poverty, and family separation. Our Justice Services team is working to respond to these intersecting barriers through practical, compassionate support for people navigating both the criminal and family justice systems.
Meet the Team!
Our small but deeply committed Justice Services team includes:
- Marijke Macintosh, Gender-Based Violence Counsellor – MMacintosh@ywcahamilton.org
- Jenei Roache, In-Reach/Out-Reach Court Support Worker – JRoache@ywcahamilton.org
- Liliana Figueredo, Parenting and Perinatal Project Lead – LFigueredo@ywcahamilton.org
Despite being a small team, they are committed to delivering timely, participant-centred care. Due to increasing demand, Justice Services has begun operating with a waitlist for some services – but they continue to prioritize access for those who need it most.
Gender-Based Violence Support
Our Gender-Based Violence Counsellor supports people involved in the justice system who have experienced GBV. Services include:
- 1:1 trauma-informed counselling
- Safety planning
- Victim Services/VWAP support
- Programming at Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre
- Community referrals and connections
Court Support
Our Court Support Worker provides systems navigation and advocacy for people in conflict with the law, whether pre-trial, sentenced, or re-entering the community. Supports include:
- Court support
- Probation and parole support
- Release planning and reintegration support
- Collaboration with Victim Services/VWAP
- Community referrals and connections
To make a referral for Gender-Based Violence Counselling and Court Support, email justiceservices@ywcahamilton.org.
Parenting and Perinatal Support
The JUST Project provides specialized support to pregnant, recently postpartum, or parenting women and gender-diverse people involved in (or at risk of involvement in) the family legal system. Support may range from short-term crisis intervention to longer-term, ongoing assistance. Participants must be 18+ and:
- Identify as a woman, Two-Spirit, trans masculine, or gender-diverse
- Be pregnant, post-partum, or parenting (regardless of custody status)
- Be involved in, or at risk of involvement with, the family justice system
YWCA Hamilton affirms that trans women and women, and our use of the term “women” throughout this project is inclusive of trans women. We also support gender-diverse people, referring to those whose gender identity exists outside the male/female binary.
Supports include:
- Family court support and legal system navigation
- Connection to legal resources (e.g. custody, visitation, child welfare, medical access)
- Support in rebuilding family and community ties
- On-site group support for women and gender-diverse people experiencing criminalization
- Group programming and drop-in hours at YWCA Hamilton and partner sites
To make a referral for Pregnant and Perinatal Supports, submit a pre-screening form here.
Why This Matters on Prisoners’ Justice Day
People involved in the justice system – particularly women, Indigenous peoples, racialized people, and those living in poverty – face disproportionate barriers to safety and justice. We believe in a future where all people can access the care, justice, and community they deserve.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue this vital work!
