|
|
| Critics: Canadian prison system fails women |
| By Canadian Press |
| Published: 05/10/2006 |
|
OTTAWA, CANADA - Critics of the prison system say discrimination is still a harsh fact of life for women behind bars. Those serving two years or more are too often denied the right to call their lawyer, forced into segregation and otherwise provoked into backlash behaviour that extends their sentences - especially for those fighting mental illness, they say. Inmate advocates used the 10-year anniversary of a blistering critique of the correctional service to press Ottawa to take action. Former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour's report followed a public uproar over a strip-search of female inmates by male officers at the old Prison for Women in Kingston, Ont. A decade later, many of her key recommendations are buried in dust. They include arms-length oversight of the correctional service, and a chance for inmates to challenge long-term segregation before a judge. Racism also remains a troubling reality, said the head of the Native Women's Association of Canada at a news conference Tuesday on Parliament Hill. "Aboriginal women are grossly over-represented in the criminal justice system," said Beverley Jacobs. Native women make up less than three per cent of the general population but 31 per cent of those in prison, she said. Many are single mothers locked up for non-violent, first-time offences after years of childhood and domestic abuse. Some are labelled 'troublemakers in prison after standing up for basic rights, Jacobs added. Lisa Watson, a spokeswoman for the correctional service, says a detailed process must now be followed before an inmate is segregated. There are regular reviews, and prisoners can file a grievance or complain to the federal correctional investigator, she said in an interview. Watson said there are no plans to allow segregated inmates to argue their case before a judge, nor is there talk of any oversight body to independently monitor the prison system. Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day's office said an independent panel of experts will assess progress made since Arbour's recommendations. It is to report by next fall on any additional changes. The former Prison for Women is now closed, replaced by fortified cottage-style institutions across Canada and an aboriginal healing lodge in Saskatchewan. That's a major improvement for medium-security offenders, said Kim Pate of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies. But she receives regular complaints from the most high-risk inmates and is especially concerned for those whose mental health only deteriorates in segregation. One woman has been held in isolation for two years with no chance to make her case before an independent adjudicator, Pate said. Another prisoner recently complained that she was denied her right to call a lawyer. Pate investigated over several weeks and finally received a letter from correctional officials. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think