Collaboration between the United Way of Calgary's Poverty Reduction Coalition (PRC) and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary (EFry) has led to an in-depth exploration of survival crimes. Also known as crimes of desperation, relevant stakeholders recognise poverty as the root cause of these crimes. In response to this reality, the PRC supports EFry in finding ways to reduce and eliminate the criminalisation of women due to poverty. In 2006, generous support from the United Way and an anonymous donor helped EFry establish the pilot Fine Fund Program (FFP). The goal of the FFP is to assist women in avoiding incarceration and is done by paying off fines. This pilot program ends December 2008 and as a result the Poverty Reduction Coalition has requested an evaluation and a review of its process of development. This interim report provides the up-to-date results of that evaluation and review.
