CAPC

Literacy Equals Crime Prevention

The evidence is in: raising literacy rates in the community contributes to reducing crime and lowering recidivism.

• Statistics Canada defines literacy as the ability to understand and use printed information in daily activities. Research in North American tells us:
  • Criminal offenders have lower average literacy levels than the general population.
  • Neighbourhoods with lower literacy levels have higher crime rates.
  • Witnesses with low literacy need help to communicate effectively in giving a report or testifying later.
  • Literacy programs in prisons have resulted in positive outcomes (such as being able to maintain employment) and reduced rates of re-offending.

Awareness = Risk Prevention and Crime-fighting success

What is the cost of lack of awareness about literacy?

• Courts have held the police liable in civil lawsuits.
• Criminal prosecutions have failed.
• Lives have been ruined.

All from a failure to communicate effectively with a person with low literacy. So taking account of literacy issues in police policy and operations is a duty and a risk prevention measure. Since the Supreme Court of Canada decided R. v Evans, in 1991,

• A person is not legally informed unless that individual has understood the information so "police cannot rely on their mechanical recitation" of the standard police charge.
• The police "must take steps to facilitate that understanding".

Canadian courts say a police organization's duties to the public include:

• to train recognize and respond to literacy problems,
• to supervise the practice of effective communication,
• to accommodate the needs of those with low literacy,
• to ensure communication results in understanding,
• to disclose to or inform suspects effectively,
• to eliminate any systemic discrimination.