Countering Push for Regressive Law and Order Types of Responses - Working
Against the Backlash
Social and criminal justice reform tends to be growing increasingly more
regressive and punitive in nature. In efforts to counter this trend, CAEFS
continues to facilitate, participate in and develop coalitions with other
women's, social and criminal justice groups, with a view to strengthening
our perspectives and voice with and on behalf of women who come into conflict
with the law.
a) Second Ever Dangerous Offender Designation
for a Woman
Lisa Neve, a 21-year-old woman from Alberta, was labelled a dangerous
offender in November 1994. Now 22, she is commencing her indeterminate sentence
at the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon. CAEFS and the Elizabeth
Fry Society of Edmonton are working with Ms. Neve's lawyer and (LEAF) the
Women's Legal Education and Action Fund regarding the possibility of intervening
in Lisa's appeal of the dangerous offender designation.
b) Young Offenders Act (YOA)
On October 6, 1994, CAEFS appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Justice and Legal Affairs to present our response to Bill C-37,
the proposed amendments to the YOA. CAEFS has also been contacted by the
Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs regarding
these amendments and the manner in which they will impact juvenile justice
for young women.
CAEFS has grave concerns with respect to the increasing numbers of younger
women in the provincial and federal prison systems. In addition, we see
this as very much linked to overall concerns regarding the shifting philosophy
within CSC regarding federally sentenced women, whereby women are increasingly
identified as "high risk" as opposed to a recognition that they
are primarily extremely marginalized women with high needs.
c) Amendments to Sentencing and Corrections
Legislation
On December 14, 1994, CAEFS appeared before the Standing Committee on Justice
and Legal Affairs to provide our perspective on Bill C-41, An Act
to Amend the Criminal Code (Sentencing) and Other Acts in Consequence Thereof,
and Bill C-45, An Act to Amend the Corrections and Conditional Release
Act, the Criminal Code, the Criminal Records Act, the Prison and Reformatories
Act and the Transfer of Offenders Act.
Back to Report Index
Home