Youth crime has always been a source of great concern for Canadians. Presently, the Canadian government is proposing that changes be made to the Young Offenders Act to help deal more effectively with crime committed by the youth in our country. The Act covers young people between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age who are charged with specific offences against the Criminal Code or other federal statutes.

The Justice Minister has recently proposed a number of amendments to the Act which may seem to be of benefit to the general public but will, if fact, have far reaching and regressive consequences for Canada's youth, and ultimately to us all. The following is an abridged version of a recent article on this subject written by Kim Pate, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies.

In May of this year the Minister of Justice announced that she was planning to repeal and replace the Young Offenders Act. The principal rationale for this decision is the belief that public misperception about the Act is so negative that repealing and repackaging it is the only option at this point.

This signals a dismal reality for Canada. The results of public opinion polls, rather than reality, have provided the rationale for this major legislative reform. At this stage it looks as though we will see new legislation proposed in the Fall of this year. It is anticipated that some of the regressive changes might include:

• Public Protection - new principles or a preamble that will focus upon public protection as a priority value or purpose of the new legislation.
• Adult Sentences - the removal of the current transfer process and the lowering of the age from 16 to 14 years at which a move into the adult system might occur. This could mean that a young person will be presumed to be liable to an adult sentence based upon the nature of his or her offence.
• Identification of Youth - the removal of the current ban on the publication of the names of young people who might "qualify" for adult sentencing. This would mean that young people 14 to 18 who are convicted of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, aggravated sexual assault or who show a "pattern of serious violent offences" will be publicized.
• Mandatory Treatment - a new "special sentencing option" is to be developed for "the most violent, high risk" youth. This could involve the inception of a mandatory treatment provision, whereby youth would be forced into treatment in a context, where, to date, the lack of treatment options, as opposed to youth interest in participating in same, has been the principal hindrance to their participation in treatment or therapeutic options.
• Interference with Due Process and the Right to Obtain and Instruct Counsel - the removal of important protections designed to ensure that youth are informed of their rights, that they make voluntary statements and have the protection of due process and independent counsel by removing legal protections.

On the other hand, the Justice Minister maintains that these regressive changes to the juvenile justice system will be balanced by the govern- ment's new Crime Prevention initiative, the National Children's Agenda, and their response to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The federal government is also "encouraging the development of a full range of community-based sentencing or release options for young people." This all sounds great until one considers that the three national initiatives are still in a rather amorphous and undefined state.

All of the proposed "soft options" such as police having discretion to caution young people and use alternative measures, and the development and use of alternatives to custody, are already currently available. But the police, crowns and courts have not utilized them and/or the provincial inability or refusal to fund them have meant that the community has not been able to develop them. Indeed, the current proposed amendments are completely antithetical to the fundamental principles and initial reasons for the enactment of the Young Offenders Act.

Despite overall reductions in youth crime, in Canada we now imprison young people at four times the rate at which we incarcerate adults. It is clear that all young people suffer as a result of the lack of adequate support services and other systems-based deficiencies and the overall erosion and support for our community-based support systems for young people.

The juvenile justice travesties are all the more acute for young women. Systematic bias and discriminatory practices undergo a multiplier effect where gender, race, class, ethnicity and/or sexual orientation converge. Too frequently, services and programs which do exist are ill equipped to deal with such intersecting issues.

Rather than resort to the "adult" criminal justice context at ever earlier ages, CAEFS supports the development and enhancement of youth-positive community-based dispositional options, as well as the development of improved educational and psychosocial programs and services both in community and institutional settings.

For young women, in particular, women-centred and directed approaches are required. Because of their relatively low numbers in comparison to those of young men in the youth justice system, their specifiic needs are often ignored.

We cannot afford to continue to treat our most marginalized and at risk youth as human refuse. The long-term human and financial costs of this continued course of action are predictable and preventable. CAEFS and its membership plan to oppose this most recent ill-advised attack on the juvenile justice system.

For additional information on this topic, please visit the CAEFS' home website page at http://www.elizabethfry.ca. or call the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies at (613) 238-2422 or fax (613) 232-7130.

You may also voice your opinion by writing to Councillor Dennis Fotinos, Chair of the Mayor's Task Force on Young Offenders at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Suite 222, Toronto M5V 3C6, or call their information line at 397-4444.

At the beginning of each year we frequently receive donations that are dated the previous year. For instance, a donation received on January 8, 1998 had December 23, 1997 written on the cheque. In this case, our donors will usually expect that the receipt for their donation will be dated for 1997. Revenue Canada is now asking charitable organizations to make sure that they date their receipts at the time the charity actually receives the gift. In the instance above the Elizabeth Fry Society would now be expected to date the receipt January 8, 1998.

We are asking our donors who respond to our year end appeals to please allow enough time for your donation to be received and processed so that a receipt can be dated in the year the donation is received. For instance, if your donation is intended for 1998 you may want consider mailing your cheque by December 15, 1998. This should allow enough time during the busy Christmas season for our agency to receive and process your donation.

We would like to thank all of our donors for your kind support throughout 1998. Donations from our many ongoing and new supporters are extremely important in helping us reach our fundraising target each year. Your donation helps us continue with our present programmes and begin new ones such as our Parenting Program which started in February of 1998. Thank you once again and best wishes for the upcoming winter season.

Promoting community awareness and understanding of the issues faced by women in conflict with the law has always been an important part of the work of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto. Staff, volunteers and clients have all been involved in this ongoing work which is directed at social change, reform of the criminal justice system, and development of community alternatives to incarceration. Over the years, agency representatives have spoken to schools, church groups, law associations, and other social service organizations.

We have always been very pleased to have our membership become involved in this important work. If you are interested in helping us continue to promote community awareness by joining the agency's Speaker's Bureau, please contact Nancy Webb at 924-3708, ext. 234 for more information. The agency will provide training in all areas of the agency's work with women in conflict with the law as well as training in public speaking if necessary.

Women who have recently given birth while in the Grand Valley Institution while serving a long federal prison sentence, will now have a source of housing upon their release. The agency is pleased to announce that it will open a second second satellite apartment which will allow up to two women, on federal parole, and their babies, to live together in a supportive environment. Ongoing community support will be provided by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto as the women begin the re-integration process and learn to live more independent lives. The satellite is expected to open in October of this year. Correctional Service of Canada will pay the start up costs and continue to provide the agency with ongoing per diem funding.

The 1990 Federal Task Force Report entitled Creating Choices recommended that women be allowed to live with their babies and pre-school age children during the time they are in prison and within the criminal justice system. We are pleased that this recommendation is now being implemented and that the Elizabeth Fry Society can be part of the ongoing process to help accomplish the goals of the task force report.

"Mothers Who Care" is a group for mothers who have been in conflict with the law. The women involved in this group have been meeting weekly since March to offer each other support and guidance through the challenge of motherhood, coupled with the additional obstacles associated with reuniting a family that has been separated by incarceration.

As the weather became warmer, the members of the group began contemplating the possibility of a group outing with their children. As workers at Elizabeth Fry, we recognize the importance of creating a variety of opportunities for mothers and children to have positive, enjoyable experiences together. In fact, simply having fun together can minimize stress and be very therapeutic for families who have endured separation through incarceration and other hardships.

The outing was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of our donors. While most of the funds raised through a recent fundraising drive will be used to increase our Parenting Program services, a small amount has also been set aside for special events.

The group chose Centre Island for the first outing as they knew the children would enjoy the variety of attractions, while the adults would enjoy the opportunity to picnic and remain together as a group for the majority of the day.

One problem arose due to the fact that not all the mothers in our group have custody of their children. It soon became clear that some of the women would not be able to have their children with them for our outing. But the group made a decision to be there for each other and for the children who were able to come. This was a significant gesture, as the mothers in our group have regularly discussed the painful experience of being surrounded by mothers and children when they are not able to be with their own children.

One person offered to bring a barbeque, others brought food and drinks, and the Elizabeth Fry Society provided the rest. Despite a glorious weather forecast, it started to rain. But spirits remained high and the older children worked to keep the younger ones occupied. Finally the weather cleared and we found a dry enough spot to picnic. Next we set off for Centreville and the amusement park. It's always difficult to limit children to a few rides, but everyone managed very well and although the children could have stayed several more hours, the adults were getting tired. So we embarked on the ferry ride back to Toronto and the children said goodbye to their new friends.

And so ended our first trip for the "Mothers Who Care" group. Everyone enjoyed it so much that we've decided to schedule outings on a regular basis. The members of the group wanted to sincerely thank all those who contributed to help make the day so special for them and their children. Every positive experience we can help create for a mother and her children helps to heal the hurt these families have endured.

If you have any questions or comments about our new Parenting Programme please do not hesitate to call Linda Brotman or Nzinga Walker at 924-3708 extention 242.

This following was written by a woman incarcerated at the Toronto West Detention Centre in response to the support given her by the volunteers and staff of the Elizabeth Fry Society who visit the prison on a regular basis. She had no other paper to write on at the time so she took a piece from a paper towel roll and wrote the following:

You're there for me to talk to
You help in any way
I'm always really happy
When its E. Fry day
No matter what I need
I can come to you
To help with court or housing
And cry if I want to
I really need to say
What you mean to me
I'll become a volunteer
If I'm ever free
You take me as I am
No matter what I do
I feel I have a friend
E. Fry that friend is you.

The agency would like to welcome our new Volunteer Co-ordinator, Cheryl Champagne, who started on September 22, 1998. Cheryl has been actively involved in women-centred organizations for 15 years. At her previous place of employmenrt she was responsible for the development of the Volunteer Program which involved researching and developing volunteer management policies, creating a recruitment plan, and training, super- vising and evaluating the performance of volunteers. Cheryl also brings a wide range of experience in other areas including community education, public speaking, advocacy and counselling. After a few days of orientation she is now hard at work organizing the prison Christmas parties! Cheryl is eagar to meet and learn about the volunteers at E. Fry so please drop by or call to say hello at 924-3708 ext. 244.

In leaving the Elizabeth Fry Society, I am filled with fond memories and thoughts of the women I've met and the many wonderful clients, volunteers and colleagues I've worked with during my stay here. They made my work at E. Fry very exciting and have consistently been a profound source of inspiration to me. I could not have asked for a better work environment and experience.

And yet, with all of the many positive memories, I cannot help but feel that I leave with much work remaining to be done. The battle for dealing with the root causes of women coming into conflict with the law such as poverty and abuse, and interventions designed to address them, still remains to be won. Restorative justice initiatives, alternative sentencing, prison conditions, treatment options, job training and educational opportunities are but a few of the areas in which we as a society must move forward. Use of incarceration, as a first, and not as a last resort, needs to be re-examined, as does the imprisonment of people for non-payment of fines.

For all of these reasons, I shall remain devoted to "the cause" and continue to work to effect these changes wherever I am.

In saying goodbye, I stress that I will not be very far away, and wish everyone at E. Fry health, happiness and good fortune.

Judy Walters was the former Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Elizabeth Fry Society.

The Convict Lover, a play adapted from the award-winning and Governor-General Award nominee novel by Merilyn Simonds, tells the true story of a 17-year old girl's secret correspondence with an inmate of the Kingston Penitentiary in 1919. Nurtured by letters and smuggled tobacco, this tale transcends the man's isolation in prison and the young woman's isolation in illness. The Convict Lover chronicles a brief but captivating relationship concealed for almost 70 years. Following the performance, a talk-back between the audience and actors will take place, as well as a coffee and dessert reception.

WHEN: Thursday, November 26, 1998 at 8 p.m. WHERE: Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto

Tickets are $25 each. Please call the Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto at 924- 3708 ext. 234 or the Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies at 585-2842. Payment by Visa or Mastercard is available at the Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto only.

Tickets are limited so please call now!

The story and locale of this play touches upon the work of E. Fry and, as well, this event provides us with the opportunity to jointly share a fundraising event with the Ontario Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies.

The Angel Group Hair Salon, located on Toronto's trendy Yorkville Ave. played "angel" to the Elizabeth Fry Society on Sunday, October 18 by holding a Benefit Cutathon. By offering exclusive cuts and stylings at a very special rate of only $25 (normally $55-65 each), the Angel Group raised some much-needed funds for E. Fry's programs and services.

E. Fry expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the talented and committed folks at The Angel Group for their time, talent, effort and thoughtfulness. Thank you Robert, Pupo, Stacey Dyson, Joe Catania, and Philip Dyson for your generosity of spirit!

Enclosed in this issue of Out for Change you will find your very own Club Z Community Card! We invite you to support our organization further by using this Club Z Community Card every time you shop at Zellers or any of the participating Club Z partner programmes.

The Club Z Community Card is an innovative program created specifically by Zellers and Club Z to help community groups and organizations across Canada support their programs through the accumulation of Club Z points. For almost every dollar spent at Zellers by our members, volunteers, friends and supporters, E. Fry will accumulate 100 Club Z points. These points, once sufficient numbers are accumulated, are redeemable by E. Fry for free gifts of specific items needed by E. Fry. We anticipate using our accumulated Club Z points for much-needed items for our residence and programmes, such as, for example, linens, kitchen wares, and programmes supplies.

How you can use this card:

Whenever you shop at any Zellers store or participating Club Z partner, show this card to the cashier. The cashier will scan the bar-codes and the points from your purchase will be automatically added to E. Fry's Club Z account. It's easy. Just slip this Club Z care into your wallet or handbag and be sure to present it whenever you shop at Zellers.

If you already have a Club Z card in your name, E. Fry would welcome your donation of your Club Z points to its Club Z account. You may do this on a one- time basis by faxing or mailing a letter of intent to Club Z and further instructions will be sent to you regarding these procedures.

We are always grateful for your support. Your continued support by using the Club Z would be deeply appreciated.

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto as a member agency of the United Way is grateful for their continued support. Please support your United Way campaign this year.