Mr. Speaker, the week of May 4 is National Elizabeth Fry week during which time Elizabeth Fry societies across the country will hold activities to enhance public awareness and education regarding the circumstances of women involved in the criminal justice system.
National Elizabeth Fry Society week is always the week preceding Mother's Day as the majority of women who come in conflict with the law are mothers. In fact, the majority of these women were the sole supporters of their families at the time they were incarcerated.
When mothers are sentenced to prison their children are sentenced to separation through no fault of their own. On the occasion of national Elizabeth Fry week let us support the important role of the Elizabeth Fry Society in identifying community based alternatives to costly incarceration for non-violent offenders.