May 31, 1986: Whereas it is now recognized that a high percentage of persons in the criminal justice system are learning disabled; and
Whereas this fact is only minimally recognized by criminal justice system voluntary sector agencies;
Therefore be it resolved that CAEFS and member organizations recognize the necessity to met the needs of "learning disabled'' persons in the criminal justice system and that CAEFS distribute information pertinent to the problem to member societies.

June 6, 1987: Whereas C.A.E.F.S. resolved at the 1986 AGM that we support groups whose function it is to lobby the federal and provincial governments to develop and implement a national strategy to eradicate illiteracy among adult Canadians,
therefore be it resolved that C.A.E.F.S. endorse the Cedar Glen Declaration and that C.A.E.F.S. when the opportunity arises, stress to the Correctional Services of Canada that literacy training, to be successful, must be "learner centred" , that is, that a program of study is devised after consultation with the learner;

September, 1988: Whereas at least one-half of the Canadian prison population is illiterate and whereas many illiterate people have learning disabilities that, in many cases go undetected, be it resolved that C.A.E.F.S. lobby Correctional Services Canada to screen inmates for learning disabilities when admitting them to prison, or when assessing them for educational programs; and further, that specialists in the learning disable field be hired to facilitate the education of the learning disabled inmate; that correctional staff be educated in learning disabilities; that inmates be trained as tutors; and that those inmates who wish to study be provided with sufficient resources and space to do so.

In addition, a representative of C.A.E.F.S. attended and reported on a conference sponsored by the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, entitled "Harvesting Abilities".

At the local level, some Elizabeth Fry Societies have expanded their life skills programming to include literacy training programs, both within institutions and with aftercare clients. Individual societies have expressed interest in more effective access to local literacy training resources, and in matching clients to programs which would best meet their needs.

Initial exploration of the problem of illiteracy among women in conflict with the law reveals a dearth of scholarly research, and a concomitant lack of programming at the local level. This study was developed in an attempt to both reveal the gaps, and suggest appropriate remedies. The ultimate goals of the study were: to define the special literacy-training needs of women in conflict with the law; to identify current literacy programming, either within local Elizabeth Fry Societies or in the wider community; to develop a plan for future action regarding the literacy needs of women in conflict with the law; and to identify an effective mechanism for information exchange on literacy issues and resources among Elizabeth Fry Societies.