Our Residential Program
For the past 35 years, our Residential Program has provided women a place of renewed hope and lasting change. Many women arrive at E. Fry after a series of conflicts with the law and terms of incarceration. Many were previously referred to social programs where they did not fit in due to poorly developed social skills, very high emotional needs, difficulty controlling their anger, or they were not accepted because they had a record.
The women who stay at our halfway house are on parole from provincial or federal prisons and spend varying amounts of time with us. It is their home during the critical period in which they ease into life outside of the institution, reintegrate into the community, and make lifestyle changes that contribute to a healthier family life and the safety of the community.
Our residential staff are very sensitive to the needs of our clients and understand the issues that bring women into conflict with the law. They do not see a client as "her offense" but as a whole person with her own unique story to tell. They assist women to develop solid life management skills and to maintain family ties as they successfully go through the difficult process of re-entering the community after spending months, and sometimes years, in prison.
Transitional housing can help to break the downward spiral of poverty, isolation and crime and contribute to the safety of the larger community. According to the National Parole Board of Canada, of the 205 federal female offenders who completed their day parole in 2003-04, 158 or 77% were successful. Of the 136 women who completed their full parole, 112 or 82.4% were successful. Ensuring that women with histories of severe physical/sexual abuse and family breakdown acquire the skills and means to live with purpose and take courageous steps to re-build their lives is more effective than incarceration or detention without bail.
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto's 14-bed women's transitional residence operates 365 days a year and provides shelter at a cost of $34,262 per woman per year. The cost of incarceration is significantly higher at $169,399 per woman per year. Over the course of a year approximately 111 women stay in the residence.