As we see the movement of the women classified as maximum security back to the regional prisons, CAEFS will continue to focus on the very important need for community release options. Our CAEFS’ membership has worked extensively in the last year to secure real community release options for women being released from the prisons. More work needs to be done as there continues to be a severe lack of resources in communities, especially rural and northern communities.

The regional prisons for federally sentenced women continue to house all three levels of security in a high security setting. CAEFS has advocated and will continue to advocate that women prisoners classified as minimum security have the right to live in a minimum security environment. This will be pursued further in the upcoming year and could involve court challenges if necessary.

As we head into the next year, our organization will continue to face challenges. The media has focused a great deal of negative and alarmist attention on justice issues. We also face numerous private members bills, most of which promote regressive reforms on justice issues. At the same time as the climate is becoming more difficult, we also see positive recognition of the need for deincarceration and alternatives to incarceration from both our government and the Supreme Court of Canada. We need to remain encouraged and united in our advocacy!

TREASURER’S REPORT

We have once again finished the year within the budget approved by the Board of Directors, and although expenses have gone up we have accomplished a great deal with the money available. Please refer to the copy of CAEFS’ audited financial statements for more specific information on the CAEFS’ revenues and expenditures.

We are most appreciative of the financial support provided by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, which, in spite of these economically challenging times, has remained constant.