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WHAT IS JUSTICE LITERACY AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
In our contemporary society, it is unfortunate that many people are unable to fully participate in everyday social life due to limitations caused by not being able to read and write. In Canada today, this represents about 48% of our population, and about 62% of our incarcerated population. When people with limited literacy skills come into contact with the criminal justice system, the added literacy demands of this situation complicates judicial procedure, compromises due process as well as the right to understand, and ultimately, results in a high percentage of prisoners with limited literacy skills.
In the interest of social justice, The Justice Literacy Assessment and Awareness Project was developed to assist justice and social services professionals to increase their understanding of this dynamic interface between limited literacy skills and criminal activities and behaviours. In addition, a cost effective, easily administered, scientifically valid test that estimates a person’s literacy level with the Justice Literacy Indicator Form in a criminal justice context, is now available for use.
Beyond the ability to read, write, and understand, being fully literate in this day and age enables people to open new doors to the world and to fully participate in our society while living a law abiding life style.
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