SUMMARY

Results of this survey suggest that Elizabeth Fry societies provide a wide array of services to women in jails/prisons, on parole, and to those women considered 'at risk' of becoming in conflict with the law. These services include advocacy, support, housing and practical assistance as well as, where resources are available, the provision of individual and/or group counselling to meet women's mental health needs. Most agencies do not have the resources to provide intensive counselling for women with mental health needs. However, agencies report some difficulties in referring women to other community resources due to lack of specialized training/understanding of mental health issues specific to this population, funding cuts to mental health/social services in general, long waiting lists for therapeutic counselling, and an unwillingness to accept women with criminal justice histories, developmental disabilities and/or dual diagnoses. Recommendations stemming from this study include the development of longer term mental health services in order that Elizabeth Fry Societies may provide therapeutic services specific to the population with whom they work and the establishment of peer support programming/services.

The Mental Health Survey of Elizabeth Fry Societies

This telephone survey was conducted by the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) for the purpose of gaining an overview of the types of mental health services provided by the member agencies and the community referrals used by Elizabeth Fry to address women's mental health needs. The survey was developed, in consultation with CAEFS, by Dr. Shoshana Pollack, Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, and was administered by a Master's of Social Work student at Wilfrid Laurier University. The survey was completed by 22 of the 24 Elizabeth Fry Societies between July 3, 2002 - August 14, 2002. Funding for this research was provided by the Voluntary Sector Initiative Program.

INFORMATION ABOUT ELIZABETH FRY SERVICE PROVISION

Institutional Services

Of the 22 agencies that responded to the survey, 20 provide services to women in jails and/or prisons. Two agencies reported having no women's prison in their area with whom to provide services. Twenty agencies stated that their work in women's prisons/jails involved advocacy, 18 said it also involved release planning, 16 said they provided individual support, and 12 provided group programming (to address issues such as shoplifting, substance abuse, anger management) in institutions. Additional institutional services identified by Elizabeth Frys include segregation and/or range visits, mother child support/programming, employment preparation, community assessments, parole hearings, legal/court support, recreation, crisis management, friendly visits, ETA's, and providing supplies/clothing.