• Responses of the justice system to individual behaviour should interfere with individual rights and freedoms only to the minimum extent necessary. The correction of the offender should take place in the community, unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary. Further, the offender should retain all the rights and privileges of an ordinary citizen, except those expressly removed by law.
• Because the community and all its members have the ultimate responsibility for the response of the system and the handling of offenders, it is essential that the community be involved in all aspects of the criminal justice system.
• The active participation of volunteers in all aspects of our organization is fundamental to attainment of the Association's goals.
• In pursuit of excellence and efficiency, CAEFS and its members shall always seek to improve their standards and programs, to identify and address the gaps and unmet needs and to seek changes through reforms of the law and penal and correctional regulations, practices and conditions.

GOALS

To provide an Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies and to encourage suitable reform at all levels of the criminal justice system.

To assist member societies in developing and maintaining high standards of programs and services for the purposes of aiding adult and young women who have come into, or who are at risk of coming into conflict with the law, whether such programs be in courts, institutions, or in the community, and whether they be for the purpose of assistance, guidance, rehabilitation or prevention, and whether provided by paid or volunteer personnel.

To promote public awareness and understanding of the needs of women in conflict with the law and the need for change in the criminal justice system as it affects women. Promote awareness of the ways in which individuals and communities can address these needs.