Ruth Morris

Ruth Rittenhouse Morris CM Ph.D. (12 December 1933 – September 17 2001) was a Canadian author and legal reformer.

Member of the "Order of Canada citation" (appointed May 30 2001):

She is a model for those who seek to serve others. A longtime advocate for justice reform, at the request of the Ontario government, she founded a groundbreaking program which made it possible for many to receive bail who would not have previously qualified.

She also founded Toronto's first bail residence, as well as a halfway house for ex-offenders. Generous with her time and resources, she used her caring and dynamism to launch many other innovations in Toronto. These include a community project aimed at improving banking services for disadvantaged citizens, a drop-in centre for street people and a multicultural, multilingual conflict resolution service.

Her published books include "Stories of Transformative Justice " (2000), "Penal Abolition: The Practical Choice" (2000), "Street People Speak" (1987) and "Crumbling Walls: Why Prisons Fail" (1989).

She was an active member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Ruth Morris died September 17, 2001.

ee also

* [http://archivesfa.library.yorku.ca/fonds/ON00370-f0000461.htm Introduction to her archive at York University]