CFSC Service

Meredith Egan, CFSC staff (right), on a peace education training visit with Mr. Lewis and the Deputy Prefect at Happy Grove High School in Jamaica.

In keeping with Friends’ testimonies and advices concerning peace, justice and equality, Canadian Friends Service Committee holds as its long-term goal the fostering of a way of life that is both just and compassionate. This includes creatively sharing our understanding that, while harm and conflict will continue to be a part of the fabric of human experience, when hurt we should not respond with punishment or prisons. Since 1978, the justice concerns work of Canadian Friends Service Committee has been carried out by the Quakers Fostering Justice program committee (formerly the Quaker Committee on Jails and Justice). To read about the history of this program committee, click here.

We work towards discerning, developing and encouraging responses that are creative, healing and empowering; that is, the building of a caring community which has no need of punishment or prisons. Our concern is rooted in the Quaker tradition of answering to that of God in every person; the present legal and prison systems reflect injustice, violence and blindness to that of God in each of us. We are clear that, by creatively taking responsibility for one another and ourselves, we will transform both our communities and ourselves. We recognize that this challenging way of living is one that honours our relationship to Spirit, one another, and all of Creation.

The challenge before us is to imagine and adopt creative and compassionate responses to harm. These responses should be based on love, our belief in that of God in every person, healing, empowerment, and social and economic justice. There must be integrity between the process and the desired outcome, as justice can not be reached through injustice. We believe that this challenge should be integrated into all areas of our lives, as individuals and as the Religious Society of Friends.

Some alternative responses to harm and conflict have already been developed (for example, many restorative approaches that foster dialogue between those affected) and more are needed to bring about reconciliation and healing for all affected by harm, including those harmed, those who have harmed, those who have responded, and their affected communities. We seek out, develop and support such programs and ways of life, and we encourage and assist Friends who feel led to do the same. In part this is done through our small grants program.

At the same time, we need to foster awareness and educate ourselves and others as to the roots of crime, conflict and violence in society. We understand that harm and conflict are often a symptom of underlying injustice, and we seek to understand and change these injustices.

“The prison system is both a cause and a result of violence and social injustice. Throughout history, the majority of prisoners have been the powerless and the oppressed. We are increasingly clear that the imprisonment of human beings, like their enslavement, is inherently immoral and is as destructive to the cagers as it is to the caged.” (Minute 93, Canadian Yearly Meeting, 1981)

Penal abolition is both a process and a long-term goal. In the interim, there is a great need for us to reach out to and to support all those affected: guards, police, prisoners, victims, families and communities. Canadian Friends Service Committee will support Friends’ exploring or involved in this important work, and their Monthly Meetings.

We recognize the need for safety within our communities. Sometimes, there is a need for restraint or isolation of those few who are exhibiting dangerous behaviour. The kind of restraint used and the help offered during that time must reflect our concern for that of God in every person.

Note: QFJ has neither the expertise nor the resources to advocate on behalf of individual cases.  Any request for individual advocacy will be responded to with suggestions for support from other agencies.  These responses usually take 2-3 months to complete.