• Elizabeth Fry Society of B.C., Prince George Branch, #204, 2666 S. Queensway, Prince George, BC;

  • South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society, P.O. Box 603, Ashcroft, BC;

  • Elizabeth Fry Society, Sudbury Branch, 204 Elm St. W., Sudbury, ON;

  • Elizabeth Fry Society of Cape Breton, 106 Townsend St., Sydney, NS;

  • Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, 2412 Columbia St., Vancouver, BC;

  • Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba, 773 Selkirk Avenue, Winnipeg, MN.

Once these interviews had been conducted, the next step would be to conduct on-site interviews with women in conflict with the law. It was decided that those who were currently functioning at low literacy levels, as well as those who had improved their literacy, would be interviewed. This would enable the researcher to assess the attitudes of both groups to literacy, as well as to document the experiences of women who had participated in literacy programs. It would highlight women's experience of trying to cope, and would help determine which programs they felt were most acceptable and motivating.

2.3 Interview Schedules

One of the most important criteria for qualitative research is that each interview be structured in such a way that participants understand the questions being asked, and that they each have an opportunity to answer the same questions. To this end, a Client Interview Schedule was drafted, and tested on a number of clients.

The final interview schedule read as follows:

CLIENT INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
Name: Date: Age:
Elizabeth Fry Society:
1)

Are you involved in a literacy program now?
(if yes) Can you describe how you got to be in that program?
2)

Have you been involved in other literacy programs?
(if yes) Were you involved in these programs before or after you were sentenced?
3)

In the literacy program you are involved in now, is your tutor aware that you have been involved in another literacy program?
4)

How long was the period of time from finishing your sentence to when you began your literacy program?
5)

What things might have helped you to begin a program sooner?
6)

What was the hardest thing about starting your program?
7)

What could have been done to make that easier?
8)

What is the hardest thing about staying motivated to attend your tutoring sessions?
9)

What would help?
10)

How could your Elizabeth Fry Society worker support you in your efforts around your literacy needs?
11)

Is there anything else you would like to add or tell me about your experience?
12)

Would you like a copy of the report when it is done?
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