Our goal is to enhance public awareness and education regarding the circumstances of women involved in the criminal justice system. We hope to challenge and gradually break down the . negative stereotypes that exist about women who come into conflict with the law.

National Elizabeth Fry Week is always the week preceding Mother's Day. The majority of women who come into conflict with the law are mothers. Most of them were the sole supporters of their families at the time they were incarcerated. When mothers are sentenced to prison, their children are sentenced to separation. We try to draw attention to this reality by ending Elizabeth Fry Week on Mother's Day each year.

By focussing on initiatives to keep women in the community and facilitate their integration after prison, our 24 member societies hope to encourage the Canadian public to examine some productive and responsible means of encouraging community responses to addressing criminal justice matters from coast to coast. Particularly in this time of fiscal restraint, our aim is to retain a proactive focus in order to encourage the development of, and support for, community-based alternatives to human and fiscal expenses of our increasing reliance on incarceration. We focus on increasing public awareness of the myriad issues facing women in prison and gradually break down the stereotypes of women in conflict with the law. In addition, CAEFS initiates and responds to media awareness and coverage of the myriad relevant issues on an ongoing basis.

CAEFS continues to challenge Canadians to reach behind the walls and welcome women into our, and their, communities, so that they may take responsibility and account for their actions in ways that enhance our national, provincial and local commitment and adherence .to fundamental principles of equality and justice.

For copies of CAEFS' position papers or additional information, please contact Kim Pate directly at kpate@web.net, visit the CAEFS' home page at http://www.elizabethfry.ca, telephone us at (613) 238-2422, or fax US at (613) 232-7130.