THE ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF CALGARY ALBERTA
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Mission Statement
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary offers pathways to healing through supports and advocacy, for Indigenous peoples who are affected by systemic social issues which can contribute to criminalization.
About This Cause
Elizabeth Fry Society (EFry) provides healing centered services to address the underlying issues related to criminalization through a restorative justice process. Led by Elders, and driven by community collaboration, EFry leads with Indigenous restorative practices to support accountability and responsibility to restore balance, and harmony. Indigenous restorative justice is a culturally-informed approach that seeks to repair harm caused by crime by involving all parties – victims, offenders, and community members – in a healing process that emphasizes reconciliation and reintegration rather than punishment. It prioritizes the restoration of relationships, community well-being, and the offender's accountability through culturally relevant practices. EFry's Soksipaitapiisin Case Management Table is a collaborative Table which engages community partners to participate in case management strategies and share information to reduce gaps and duplications of services. Participants engage on a healing plan and in restorative circles to uniquely and individually support their individual needs as they work on their personal healing. This focus contributes to making amends, rebuilding relationships and a stronger connection to community. While restorative justice is not an easy out solution for those in the system, it comes with hard work, motivation and commitment to make change. The approach of focusing on personal wellness has a positive ripple effect in reducing recidivism and contributes to individuals with more awareness that contributes to reparation of harm and accountability. We work collaboratively with local, rural and First Nation communities to empower opportunities that contribute to transformational changes. Our primary focus is to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples involved in the criminal justice system, by engaging options, opportunities and services. In addition, we assist with longer term stability by empowering opportunities through our services which includes employment readiness and support, housing assistance and providing resources towards addressing addiction, and improving mental and emotional wellness. Together, we can help to break the cycle of poverty and strengthen our community. Your contributions affect social change by lessening the tax burden of social systems. Our services reduce the costs associated with excessive system's usage when we are able to intervene and prevent individuals from reengaging in the criminal justice system by ensuring they are engaged with appropriate supports and services. Those individuals who cycle in and out of homelessness and incarceration place a burden on the health, policing, and the legal and justice systems. Costs of Criminalization without Intervention • Provincial Remand Costs – Most individuals in Alberta cost 150.00 a day to remand in a provincial institution. Alberta remands 70% more individuals than those sentenced in custody. 30-50% of individuals cycle in and out of homelessness and remand. Those remanded in Calgary made up between 500-615 individuals throughout the first quarter of 2020 with an average of 557. The average stay in remand is approximately 28 days (according to Canadian remand data) The average costs for 557 inmates at $150.00 daily over 28 days is 2,339,400.00. With an average of 40% of those being homeless the overall cost of remanding this population is 935,760 over every 28 days or 12,164,880 annually. • Sentenced in Custody – The costs to sentenced individuals costs 150.00 with approximately 3 months to 2 years in custody with an approximate cost of 13,500 – 109,500 per woman depending on sentence. The costs in federal institutions (sentences 2-25 years) can be much higher reaching between 330.00 and up to 534.00 a day depending on level of security. • Legal Costs of Criminalization: Administration of justice offences (AOJO) costs the community 13-30 million annually. These offences impede the court processes and place an extra burden to Clerks, Judges, Crown and Legal Counsel. In addition, the cost to address warrants and breaches are a burden on police services which can be reduced by ensuring individuals get to court and comply with their court orders. • Health Costs - Emergency Services (EMS and Emergency Room Visits) – Individuals who struggle with stability who cycle in and out of homelessness and the criminal justice system place a burden on the health care system. In particular, 27% of ambulance calls are repeat and responsible for up to 7500 ambulance calls annually in Calgary. This places a significant cost of $1,687,500 - $2,887,500 annually on the system. 77% of our population who access emergency rooms for medical emergencies due to neglected health concerns. As a result, approximately 2240 individuals annually attend a minimum of 4480 emergency room visits at a cost of 1510 -382,400 annually. • Long Term Hospitalization Costs – Those individuals who require critical care due to long standing health issues cost the system from $755.00 -3719.00 a day in Alberta with the average hospital stay of 3-12 days. This costs from $2,265.00 -$11,157 for 3 days up to $9060 to $44,628 for up to 12 days depending on the critical nature of the hospital care. It costs $1.25 per woman per day for EFry to work with them in the community. It costs $150.00 a day for those sentenced in custody in Alberta. Federal incarceration costs $330.00 day per woman. For those in segregation the cost can reach up to $534.00 a day. Segregation is often the response for addressing women with mental health issues or require protective custody.