Re: Funding Cuts - Post 9
Addressing critical access to justice issues in our communities requires time and commitment. Access to justice is a human right and is not dispensable even at times of crisis. As a rights-based organization, the work we addresses the human rights and critical needs of thousands of vulnerable and marginalized Albertans. Here are 2 more valuable insights which we share to honour their voices and experiences, but also to keep this top of mind as we ask for your help.
December 11, 2020
Elizabeth Fry’s court program has allowed hundreds of students and volunteers the opportunity to play an active role in the criminal justice system. Integrating students and volunteers provide foundational learning opportunities, through skill development and the chance to build working relationships with lawyers, crown prosecutors and other social agencies. These interactions are indispensable and create strong community bonds that benefit all members. During my time at Elizabeth Fry, I grew to love the communities I worked with. My employment within the satellite one position, helped me realize my passion for working with individuals and communities suffering from poor mental health and addiction. One of the most valuable lessons I learned is seeing beyond peoples' current set of circumstances and recognizing the complexity of social influences that contribute to their situation, and show kindness and dignity in every interaction.
I fully believe eliminating the funding for The Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton’s court program is a huge mistake that needs to be reconsidered. This decision will have a lasting impact on Edmonton and northern Alberta’s most vulnerable community members. During my time with Elizabeth Fry, I saw lawyers and staff at the courthouse rely on Elizabeth Fry staff to support clients that they do not have time for. By eliminating this service, you are disadvantaging all staff members, stakeholders, families, youth and adult accused, and victims involved in the criminal justice system. Without Elizabeth Fry, there will be a severe gap in services leading to repercussions resulting in increased stress levels, increased likelihood of the accused pleading guilty without getting access to legal counsel or resources, therefore denying people the right to make informed decisions. I understand funding financial constraints limit everyone during this time. Still, the future of a fair, efficient judicial system does not compromise of eliminating a service that supports daily functional operations, student and volunteer growth, and the assisting of hundreds of people involved in the criminal justice system.
Sincerely,
Alana
Having had the privilege of being a Court Worker in Family, Child Welfare and Youth Court from June 2016 to December 2019, I can attest to the importance of this invaluable program in for our community.
Almost nobody comes to docket court because of a happy occasion. More often, individuals are coming into the convoluted alien world that is the justice system during what is likely one of the most vulnerable times of their lives. The courts are a world onto their own with their procedures and formalities. Often people came in not knowing who to talk to, confused as to which courtroom they were appearing in, unsure of whether they needed a lawyer, and scared of the fact that they could not quite understand what to do. Consequently, as caseworkers, we had the job of talking to each and every individual coming into the 4th floor in order to ensure that they knew which courtroom they were (as docket often splits); and, if they did not have counsel, offering to have them speak with duty counsel. We were there to help guide them to their family court counsellors or to their opposing parties. We were there to offer tissues when tears rolled and a small smile.
However, besides assisting vulnerable individuals, I think we provided an invaluable service to the efficiency of the docket court process itself. As I mentioned, in our capacity as caseworkers, we were in charge of filling out forms for those individuals who needed duty counsel. We kept an organized list of who had spoken and who was next. In this way, duty counsel did not have to pause and search for those who needed to speak with them. We always ensured the next person was always waiting outside of the door so that the process could be as efficient as possible. Moreover, we kept people from interrupting duty counsel by explaining that we would add them to the list. As such, duty counsel was able to move through all of the people who needed to see them as efficiently as possible.
I think that without the help of court-workers, the docket courts, particularly family docket court, will become more chaotic for duty counsel and for the individuals who are coming in. I think it will increase the level of anxiety felt by those unsure of the process, and that, in turn, will cause more tension in the court. In addition, I think that duty counsel will become even more burdened by having to handle the incoming masses without any sort of buffer.
Moreover, I am saddened that those interested in working with vulnerable populations will not have this invaluable program to volunteer and learn at. For me, this program literally changed my life path. I started volunteering as a second-year science student who had no idea what career path to take. I knew I wanted to work somewhere where I was able to help others, but I, very erroneously, believed that to mean a medical career (hence my BSc). It was through my volunteer experience with Elizabeth Fry that I learned about the justice system and issues surrounding access to justice for vulnerable groups. I got to experience first-hand how duty counsel was able to assist those in need, despite a lack of funds. I saw the way that they made a real-life difference in just a single conversation. It was thanks to Elizabeth Fry that I became inspired to pursue a career in law. As such, I applied to U of A law, and I am now a second-year law student.
Even though I no longer volunteer with Elizabeth Fry, I still feel the impact it made on my life. I am still passionate about helping vulnerable populations, and now I do so by volunteering with Student Legal Services of Edmonton. Furthermore, my time as a family court court-worker was influential in my decision to pursue a career in family law. In addition, I hope to apply to Legal Aid for my articling so that I can work with the various lawyers that I admired while volunteering.
The Elizabeth Fry Society is an amazing program that has impacted the lives of those it helped and its volunteers alike. I know that if they were no longer running, it would mean an unimaginable loss to the Edmonton legal community. For these reasons, I ask that you reconsider the decision to cut its funding.
Lorena