(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public safety

Video visits to be made available to Prince Albert inmates

Feb 18, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Calls for a better communication system for inmates at provincial correctional centres are being answered by the provincial government.

Video visitations for inmates and their families are currently in use at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre, and has been in use at all youth facilities since October. The ministry is now in the process of implementing this solution at the Regina Correctional Centre, Prince Albert Correctional Centre, Pine Grove Correctional Centre, Besnard Lake Correctional Camp, and Saskatoon Correctional Centre Urban Camp.

“The targeted implementation date is end of February 2021,” a statement Thursday from the Ministry of Corrections indicated.

Due to COVID, in-person visits were halted last March and family members have expressed to paNOW their frustrations with the phone service and the lack of time allowed to speak to their loved ones. They claimed the reduced contact and feelings of isolation have led to further issues related to depression.

For the video visitations, corrections has acquired tablets for all of the facilities, and the tablets will have a specific, locked-down software configuration. There will be no charge to inmates for video visits.

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“Video visitation is provided using a closed Wi-Fi network that is segregated from the Government of Saskatchewan network and is not available for public access,” the Ministry said.

Response from an advocate

Sherri Maier with the inmate advocacy group Beyond Prison Walls Canada, told paNOW she thinks the video visits will reduce some tensions or at least bring a sense of hope to inmates.

“I know one guy had a visit already at Saskatoon correctional and he was very happy. If more guys can get visits, I think it will give them something to look forward to,” she said.

In recent months, inmates have voiced their frustrations with COVID protocols in the forms of hunger strikes and even a riot at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre in January. Maier explained the phone and the visits are like a lifeline and connection to the outside world. When those are taken away, many feel as though they have nothing left.

“Jail is a dark place and for those who get visits, the hour or so they get for a visit brings some light into their life and kind of makes them forget about the dark world that they are in,” she said.

Reflecting back on the past few months, Maier noted tensions at Saskatchewan Penitentiary appeared to ease when inmates in the max unit gained a different perspective and realized the correctional staff had to go home and isolate from their families.

The health order was done in direct response to a rising number of COVID cases at the time, but ultimately meant many families sacrificing Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Maier thinks the key to further de-escalation in the future will be if all parties work together, collaborate and find solutions on how to make positive change for inmates and the staff who work with inmates.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell