Re: Funding Cuts - Post 2
Once again, we thank you for taking the time to read these critically important messages as we navigate options to sustain our court program amidst these dire funding cuts.
My name is Vanessa and I am writing to express my concern regarding the decision made by to cease funding the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton’s Court Programs. In this letter, I will detail the immensely positive impact this program has had on my own knowledge of my legal rights and responsibilities; as well as on my ability to share this knowledge with the clients I have worked with both while involved with Elizabeth Fry, and beyond.
I began volunteering at Elizabeth Fry in the Youth Court Program in January of 2013, while working towards a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at the University of Alberta, and was involved with the Court Program for around 5 years. As someone who had no previous involvement or knowledge of the court system, I quickly learned how the system operated, and how to assist young people and their parents navigate the system. I also volunteered in the Court Assistant for Female Youth program, where my passion for promoting access to justice for vulnerable populations was first ignited.
I would like to share a story of a time when I was volunteering with Elizabeth Fry at the Edmonton Young Offender Centre. I had been meeting regularly with a young girl who had been incarcerated for many months and was facing serious charges. When her trial was drawing near, I met with her to compile a report to give to her lawyer to present to the judge at her sentencing. This report detailed her life circumstances leading up to the event, and the impact that sentencing would have on her rehabilitation efforts. For the report, one of the questions I asked her was to name the biggest support that she had in her life. She responded that I, an Elizabeth Fry Court Volunteer, was the biggest support she had in her life. I was shocked to hear her assert this, as previously I was very unaware of the drastic impact I was having on her access to information on the justice system. This is a young person who had countless other paid professionals in her life; lawyers, social workers, youth workers, etc. But I, as an unpaid volunteer who met with her once per week, was her biggest support and primary provider of legal information. Without Elizabeth Fry’s Court Programs, this young girl would have had effectively no one to ensure she had adequate access to information on her court matters.
That is not a unique story in the world of Elizabeth Fry, in fact it is the norm. The reality of our justice system is that it leaves already vulnerable people isolated and without guidance. Lawyers run around in suits that might as well be brick walls of inaccessibility. No $1000 (minimum) retainer? Go to Legal Aid… No Elizabeth Fry to tell you that? Well then, you’re probably entering a Guilty Plea without ever being fully informed of your options. Elizabeth Fry breaks down these invisible brick walls for people. They are a kind face in an intimidating and cold courthouse that offers layperson translations of complex legal jargon, caring and empowering support, among countless other intangible, invaluable things. They increase access to justice and spread knowledge of the system in an accessible way while breaking barriers.
This volunteer experience was invaluable to my advancement through my education and my career. My involvement with Elizabeth Fry informed my formal education with practical, real life experience. If this program did not exist, I would be significantly less knowledgeable of my legal rights and responsibilities and would not have been able to assist countless clients to effectively exercise their rights under the law.
Upon my graduation, I obtained a full-time position with Elizabeth Fry in their Prison Outreach program, and later in the Court Program. I used the knowledge I obtained from volunteering in the court program to assist hundreds of women who were incarcerated at the Edmonton Remand Centre and the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre, and who were attending Criminal Docket Court in Edmonton.
The Elizabeth Fry Court Program has far reaching impacts beyond what any stats sheet will be able to effectively articulate. I am gravely concerned about the negative impacts that pulling this funding will have on the access to justice for vulnerable Edmontonians
Sincerely,
Vanessa
December 4, 2020
To Whom It May Concern:
I recently became aware of the decision by ALF to cut funding to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta’s court program. I am very concerned about where this will leave vulnerable people who are trying to navigate the court system.
I began volunteering for the court program early in 2019. Since then, I have moved on from my role as a volunteer and am now the Provincial Prison Liaison for the Edmonton Remand Centre. The Elizabeth Fry court program has been an invaluable steppingstone that allowed me to reach my current position. It has given me incomparable experiential learning as a student and will continue to be an influencer of my future academic and career aspirations. The court program familiarized me with the judicial system and the frequent justice client. It clarified that supportive organizations within the court system are no less than essential, especially with the overrepresentation of vulnerable individuals.
The E.Fry court team assists our clients to navigate an often unfamiliar and oppressive system. I’ve seen first-hand, that their assistance over the phone, in the building and in the courtrooms are longed for by many. Standing up in court is usually intimidating, especially because court matters may have lasting effects on one’s quality of life. Without the support of the E.Fry court team, clients are often left more scared, vulnerable and constrained. It is essential that individuals navigating the court system are connected to human services, the crown prosecutors office, the duty counsel, legal aid and so much more, all of which are carried out by the E.Fry court team. Many lawyers and actors in the criminal justice system also rely on the work of the E.Fry court program to better support their own clients.
Reaching out to the E.Fry court team enables me to effectively support my incarcerated clients. One of the most meaningful interactions I recall was when the presence of an E.Fry court worker in the courtroom allowed the Judge to take into account a client’s mental health, her remorse and her focus on rehabilitation. E.Fry court workers are able to shine a positive light and humanize clients that are often dehumanized to just a number or a case file. Mitigating factors can be addressed because of their patience and understanding for the justice client.
Whether it be writing the date on a ‘Return to Court’ card or standing up in court to advocate for human rights, the E.Fry court program does essential work that is unparalleled.
Téa (staff)