Saint Leonard's Society of Nova Scotia is an independent, not-for-profit organization affiliated with the Saint Leonard's Society of Canada. SLSC was founded in 1962 by Thomas Neil Libby, an Anglican priest.

The Society is administered by a community-based, volunteer, Board of Directors. In partnership with community organizations and individuals concerned with improving the criminal judicial system, Saint Leonard's Society works to reduce the effects of crime by assisting the reintegration of adult offenders into the community as law-abiding citizens.

Saint Leonard's Society believes that for the benefit of all citizens and the spirit of forgiveness, those who have paid their debt to society deserve another chance. It is our belief that the community is best served by having the clients live in community residential facilities where experienced staff can supervise them.

From this belief Saint Leonard's Society of Nova Scotia was formed in 1968 and a CRF was established by SLSNS at 2549 Brunswick Street, Halifax, in January 1984.

Saint Leonard's Society of Nova Scotia currently runs two CRF's. Sir Sanford Fleming House (SSFH) which is a house for men and Nehiley House, the first women's half way house east of Montreal, established in June 2005.  Both CRF's are located in Halifax.  Also of note, Saint Leonard's Society of Nova Scotia operated Turn Around Point Services (TAPS), a CRF for men, in New Minas until 2006. 

Our CRF's utilize a modern and practical approach to reintegrating people who are being discharged from prisons into the general community. It is an approach consisting of supervised residential services with counseling and job placement. Residents are supported in-house through various social, recreational and educational programs.

The CRF facilities are funded through Federal government contracts on a per diem basis with Correctional Services of Canada. Residents also make room and board payments, and wherever possible, we solicit private donations for ongoing repairs and operating costs. Saint Leonard's is compensated in direct proportion to its resident levels.  Housing individuals in a CRF is approximately one half the cost of keeping them in an institution.

SLSNS has developed a reputation for operating professional facilities and has recognized a need to assist other individuals who are also in transition.  In conjunction with the Department of Community Services, SLSNS has developed and operates Barry House, a 20 bed emergency shelter for women and their dependant children experiencing homelessness in the HRM.   SLSNS also operates Metro Turning Point, our shelter for men over the age of 16 who are experiencing homelessness. 

While a Board of Directors guides the houses, the facilities are operated by the staff consisting of an Executive Director, Executive Assistant (Finance), Director of Operations, House Directors, Case Managers, Assistant Case Managers, Client Support Workers, Client Support Workers-Night, Cook, Parole Assistants, and Relief/Casual Client Support Assistants.

In addition to the services provided by the above staff, in some cases, the residents themselves may conduct and contribute to day-to-day household maintenance.