Re: Funding Cuts - Post 1
In response to the decision to cut funding to our court programs, as outlined in our previous blog post, many of our volunteers and staff have written incredibly meaningful and poignant letters attesting to their experiences in our court programs and their observations as to the importance and essential nature of Efry Court Work. The next few posts will be their voices.
We cannot thank our volunteers enough for all of the thousands of Albertans they have supported and helped over the years. Our volunteers give from their heart and contribute their time because they believe in our work and see the difference we make. But, that difference is in large part due to their contributions. We certainly hope that we can change course and restore our Court Programs to continue our imperative work with the help of our dedicated volunteers.
If you feel compelled to support us, please contact Toni at director@efrynorthernalberta.com.
Best,
Toni Sinclair (She/her)
Executive Director
December 4, 2020
To Whom It May Concern,
In the past week I became aware of the decision made by the Alberta Law Foundation to cut funding to the Elizabeth Fry Society (EFry) of Northern Alberta’s court program. I have been involved with EFry as both a volunteer and employee since 2017 and have seen the value that these programs provide to the Albertan community. Due to this, I am very concerned that removal of these programs will contribute to even more lack of support for vulnerable people and cause further stress on the staff that remain in place.
I am sure this was not an easy decision, and was made at least in part, due to the covid-19 pandemic. However, having resumed volunteering at the Edmonton courthouse in November, it is clear that clients are in dire need of assistance. The pandemic has caused confusion, massive delays, inability/difficulties getting in contact with Student Legal Services and Legal Aid, and more. The courts are severely strained due to the pandemic, which will cause long-term impacts in the future. The volunteer programs are effective in assisting self-represented folks and often can lead to an easing of the burden on Legal Aid when clients do not need to have appointed counsel. By extension, that reduces the overall burden on Legal Aid.
It is important when considering funding to look forward to the situation that will exist after the pandemic has ended. It is not unreasonable to expect that the court system will face increased burden after the pandemic. Due to both the resumption of court services for delayed cases and an increase in the amount of people that will be interacting with the justice system. Leaving the court system bare in an effort to save money now will lead to increased cost and strain later, especially for Legal Aid. EFry is essential to easing that burden.
On a personal note, the volunteer program provides a fulfilling experience for those involved. I have personally interacted with hundreds of clients in the past three years and received only positive feedback and gratefulness for the assistance we have given. Additionally, the feedback we’ve received from Duty Counsel is that we have been instrumental in organizing clients and ensuring they are supported in the best possible way. Duty Counsel often sees up to 40 people in one morning, and our assistance keeps operations running smoothly. In the past month, clients have expressed that they are scared and confused by how the pandemic is going to impact their case. Continuing funding to the volunteer program is essential to addressing these client concerns.
Amabel (Volunteer)
December 11, 2020
To put it rather fatalistically, I simply cannot imagine a successful criminal docket court day in Stony Plain, AB without the help of our court team. In provincial court houses across Northern Alberta, individuals are being greeted with a non-judgmental welcome. They are being given an explanation of what it means to be criminally charged and what their next steps can be. These steps can be delivered in terms the individual can clearly comprehend. The criminal justice system can be such deep and dark water for someone to tread, but our court team has the capacity to humanize an individual and lend a helping hand in navigating the process.
Working and volunteering with the Elizabeth Fry court program over the last 3 years has not only given me an opportunity to impact the lives of many individuals, but has also given me time to hone my life skills and inspire me to keep moving forward in this field. Through my time at the Stony Plain, St. Albert, and Morinville provincial courthouses, I have seen young women go from rock bottom to great success and sobriety. I have teared up with them in our office, and moments later excitedly discussed resume building techniques. Personally, this is the kind of stuff that keeps me motivated and maintains my enthusiasm during this difficult time.
As ludicrous as it sounds, I have seen magical things happen over the course of time it takes for someone to have their criminal matters finally dealt with. I, as a rather outgoing individual, cannot help but form relationships, that in my opinion, provide a sense of safety and encouragement to the individual. I say this based on experience I have with a client that I have helped on and off for the last 3 years. This person has come into court bleeding, their arm wrapped in a T-shirt, looking for me to help. This individual has also come into court excited to tell me about a new job, or has hung their head in shame due to a new charge, and has directly apologized to me. I have advocated for this person on numerous occasions, speaking to their character, challenges, and aspirations. Why I say this is magical, is that the court system can be so greatly impersonal, dark, and harsh on an individual, whilst being so impactful on them directly. The court process can seem so detached from the world that some folks exist in, and having someone there to bring things to your level of understanding, whatever that may be, can be one tiny step towards a more restorative justice focused approach. It is incredible to me that we can make such a large impact in the relatively small amount of time that we have with our clients.
During this past tumultuous time of COVID-19, the number of questions that our clients come into court with has literally doubled, nay, tripled. I can’t imagine the court staff/clerks, having had their work also doubled, being available to answer the myriad of questions and concerns that have been presenting lately. There have emerged many serious barriers and challenges, and the justice system is not the easiest to navigate on a normal day, thus these individuals find it nearly impossible to advocate for themselves during this time. It gives me great joy to be able to provide our clients with the respect and direction they need in a turbulent time such as this.
I sincerely hope that there will be no end to this program. Like I said, I cannot imagine a day in one of my satellite courthouses where everyone is left in the dark. There will be far too many questions that will go unanswered, too many complainants/victims left to fend for themselves, and further trauma will be experienced. In true trauma-informed practice, the removal of supports for folks in need can cause a much greater negative impact than could have ever been imagined.
Trina (Court Staff)