REPORT ON THE
LITERACY NEEDS OF WOMEN
IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW

1.0 Introduction

Early in 1989, the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies initiated a research project aimed at determining the links between literacy and women in conflict with the law. While recent research indicates that as many as 20 to 25% of adult Canadians are functionally illiterate these figures jump to 60% when applied to prison inmates. Illiteracy has been the focus of increasing attention in recent years, but large gaps remain in the research pertaining to the links among illiteracy, poverty and crime among women. This study was undertaken in an attempt to explore those links, as well as the special needs of women in conflict with the law as regards literacy training.

1.1 The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies

The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (C.A.E.F.S.) is a federation of Elizabeth Fry Societies individual community-based agencies mandated to work with and on behalf of women involved with the criminal justice system. In particular, C.A.E.F.S. advocates for legislative reforms, offering a forum which enables members of the public to become informed about and participate in all aspects of the justice system as it affects women.

In recent years, the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies has become increasingly concerned about the high levels of illiteracy among women in conflict with the law. Each year since 1986, resolutions concerning learning disabilities and illiteracy have been passed at C.A.E.F.S. Annual General Meetings:

May 31, 1986: Whereas there am approximately four million illiterate adults in Canada; and
Whereas the female offender often suffers from a lack of educational skills; and
Whereas the education system fails to prepare women for the job market which leaves them stranded in low-wage ghettos;
Therefore be it resolved that CAEFS support groups whose function it is to lobby the federal and provincial governments to develop and implement a national strategy to eradicate functional illiteracy among adult Canadians.

May 31, 1986: Whereas the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities has declared 1986-87 the Year of the Learning Disabled and the Law, therefore be it resolved that C.A.E.F.S. and member organizations recognize and support understanding of the issues involved.