The records of the John Howard Society of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia consist of the Society's administrative records and client case files and cards used to document information about individual clients. They encompass work done as a provincial society and also as a working office in the Lower Mainland.

The administrative records of the Society document all aspects of the Society's work. They are broken down into three separate series, reflecting the particular manner in which the Society operated. First, a separate series of miscellaneous records which the Society appears to have kept apart from its established file system dates from 1932 to 1988. A second series of administrative records dating from 1932 to about 1968 reflects the Society's file classification plan in use at the time (see Appendix B1 - hard-copy finding aid only). A third group of administrative records reflects a new file classification plan which replaced the earlier file system (see Appendix B2 - hard-copy finding aid only). Administrative records that have accrued to the fonds have been added to this series.

Later records demonstrate the increased activity of the society in addressing the social problems of crime, including victim assistance programs and community assessments, as well as administration of halfway houses.

Individual case files and cards provide evidence of the Society's involvement with clients on probation including repeat or 'habitual' offenders, as well as prison visits, counseling sessions and other related actions undertaken by the Society on behalf of its clients.

Records comprising this fonds are records created at the Vancouver office of the Society, and do not include records created by the various regional offices.

Series consists of the main administrative files of the Society from about 1932 to 1973. During this period, a central office filing system was in place where each file category was assigned a unique alpha-numeric code. The alphabetic code was used to represent the broad category or subject area while the numeric code represented a division of the main category.

Researchers should be aware that the files are not arranged according to strict chronological and alphabetical order within or between subseries, and therefore the entire file list for the subseries below should be reviewed to determine the existence of all files on a particular subject.

Subseries consists of a number of files on reports and statistics of services provided by the Society, such as the number of cases accepted and cases closed, areas of services and work distribution. A number of other files in this subseries contain material on related associations of the Society, including the B.C. Borstal Association, Canadian Penal Association and the Canadian Corrections Association (see Access Points for list).

Subseries consists of files containing miscellaneous reports, articles and newspaper clippings. Files cover a broad range of subject areas including the John Howard Players, the Victims of Crime Program and early correspondence of Society officials.

Subseries consists of general administrative files, including committee information, conference materials, newsletters, board of directors minutes, scholarship fund records, correspondence, union-related records, and other general office files.

Subseries consists of files on other offices of the John Howard Society: its National office, provincial counterparts and regional branches. National office files contain material relevant to its formation around 1961 and provincial and regional files relate to matters of common concern, including policy matters. Files also contain information about these organizations, including reports and other printed material.

Subseries consists of files on various correctional institutions, including Haney Correctional Institution, The Oakalla Prison Farm and the B.C. Penitentiary (see Access Points for list). Files include reports, memoranda, notes, newspaper clippings and correspondence relating to the operation and management of the various penitentiaries in B.C.

Subseries consists of files relating to general administrative matters of the Society, including general reports, organizational information, policies and agreements. Files also include some committee files, such as the Constitution, Provincial Liaison and Women's and Family Committees. Files in this subseries include reports, memoranda, articles, newspaper clippings and pamphlets, and correspondence.

Subseries consists of the official Minutes of the Annual Meetings of the Society from 1932 to 1982, official Minutes of the Board and Executive Committee meetings from 1956 to 1980 and some early reports of the Executive Secretary primarily from the 1930s.

Subseries consists of Annual Reports dating from 1932 to 1988, including promotional pamphlets summarizing the Annual Report for some of these years. President's Reports and some Monthly Reports for assorted years are also included in this subseries.

Subseries consists of files pertaining to corrections reform, including correspondence with and information about international organizations involved in the areas of prison reform and criminal rehabilitation, such as the Howard League for Penal Reform in Great Britain. Files also include information about various correctional institutions outside of B.C., and include articles, newspapers, clippings, bulletins, reports and correspondence.

Subseries consists of files related to the misconduct and treatment of offenders, including young offenders, sexual offenders and habitual offenders.