Various hand drawn stick figures in red, green and orange. Many sitting on chairs facing each other. A few standing. One writing.

FacLib - Facilitator of Knowledge in Contexts of Deprivation of Liberties Hub

The Facilitator of Knowledge in Contexts of Deprivation of Liberties (FacLib) Hub’s mission is to bring together, generate, share, and disseminate knowledge and pedagogical practices grounded in experiential knowledge and adapted to the realities and contexts of deprivation of liberty.

Our objectives

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Develop

Develop inclusive pedagogies adapted to contexts of deprivation of liberty.
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Learn

Offer educational opportunities adapted to contexts of deprivation of liberty.
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Train

Provide training for students, professors, clinical practitioners, justice-involved individuals, and other professionals.
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Disseminate

Disseminate inclusive pedagogies in contexts of deprivation of liberty.
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Collaborate

Develop partnerships with individuals and organizations committed to creating a community of practice that brings together theoretical, practical and experiential knowledge.
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Support

Support the development of institutional and community-based initiatives and provide support to individuals involved in existing programs.

About the Hub

What do we do?

The FacLib Hub builds on the experience and expertise developed by the Department of Criminology through the creation of the first Walls to bridges courses at the University of Ottawa, the first French ComPaS course in Canada, the first Walls to Bridges (W2B) course for incarcerated youth, and the first ComPaS facilitation training program for the Francophone community. Currently, the Hub offers one English Walls to bridges course and one French ComPas course each year, as well as a  French ComPaS facilitator training for professors on a biennial basis.

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Facilitator Training for teachers and professors

Training specifically designed for educators who want to strengthen teaching practices with a collaborative and inclusive learning approach.

“I loved the reversal of roles, where the facilitation is primarily led by former students. As someone who teaches, I rarely have the opportunity to be on the other side, and it allowed us to reflect on many things that are often taken for granted in our teaching.”
- Professor who attended the 2026 ComPas training

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Undergraduate Courses in carceral settings

Course that bring together students from the University of Ottawa and from a detention centre for a shared learning environment.

“It is a space where we come to learn with the entirety of who we are. Each person contributes through who they are physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.”
- Alumni of the 2025 W2B course

Our projects 

The Hub is now working on expanding ComPaS and W2B courses to other contexts of deprivation of liberty, such as psychiatric institutions, halfway houses, and other similar settings. The Hub also aims to develop new training opportunities and knowledge mobilization initiatives involving communities and organizations working in contexts of deprivation of liberty. The Hub will welcome experts with lived experience, students and professionals seeking continuing education, to its courses, internships, and training opportunities. Through these projects, the Hub aims to foster a community of practice and develop reciprocal partnerships.

Sandra Lehalle

Leadership

Director: Dr. Sandra Lehalle
Associate professor, Department of Criminology

Contact us

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FacLib - Facilitator of Knowledge in Contexts of Deprivation of Liberties Hub

Faculty of Social Sciences
Social Sciences Building 
120 University Private, Room 13010
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
Canada (maps)
 
FacLib@uOttawa.ca