The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and liberation of women and gender-diverse people, particularly those affected by the criminal justice system. The organization operates from a feminist and abolitionist perspective, emphasizing the impact of systemic inequities such as racism, colonialism, poverty, violence, trauma, mental illness, and substance use on the criminalization of marginalized individuals.

History

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough was founded in 1987 following the efforts of community organizer Pat Love, who established a steering committee in 1986 to form the group. It was officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1989. Since its inception, the society has focused on human rights advocacy and support for women and gender-diverse individuals encountering legal and social challenges within the justice system.

Mission and Activities

The society believes in the liberation of women and gender-diverse people from various forms of oppression. Their work addresses the root causes that lead to criminalization, aiming to support reintegration and reduce recidivism through empowerment and harm reduction strategies. They also engage with issues concerning 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and promote abolition feminism as part of their broader social justice framework.

Affiliation

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough is part of a larger network of Elizabeth Fry Societies across Canada, which trace their origins to the first Elizabeth Fry Society established in Vancouver in 1939. These societies collectively operate under the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS), an organization founded in 1969 and incorporated as a nonprofit in 1978. The national organization advocates for women, girls, and gender-diverse people impacted by the criminal justice system, promoting rehabilitation and systemic change.

Philosophy

Echoing the legacy of Elizabeth Fry, a pioneering 19th-century prison reformer, the society adopts abolitionist principles that challenge the reliance on incarceration as a means of addressing social issues. Instead, they focus on systemic change and community-based support to address the underlying social determinants related to justice involvement.

This society continues to serve as an important local advocate within Peterborough while contributing to the broader national movement for justice reform and gender equity in Canada.