(file photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Corrections

Temporary release of inmates is best solution to prevent spread of COVID-19, says union and advocate

Dec 1, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The union that represents lawyers and staff at Legal Aid Saskatchewan, is calling for a targeted, temporary release of some inmates to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan’s jails.

This comes after a massive outbreak at the jail in Saskatoon involving the infection of 68 offenders and four staff members.

Julia Quigley, President of CUPE 1949, told paNOW there are lots of people sitting in jails who can be safely released.

“We’ve got people in custody on property-related offences and administration of justice offences, and many of these people don’t pose a risk to public safety. They should be released as a priority,” she said.

Quigley added there’s also a lot of inmates who are immunocompromised (HIV, Hepatitus C and in some cases both) and should also be considered for immediate release. Explaining that the onus will be on the Crown and legal aid to turn a very critical eye about who is on remand right now, Quigley noted the release plan worked well last spring.

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“The last go around we had about a 40 per cent reduction in our jail population and there was no discernable risk to the public,” she said. “I am not aware of any incidents that can be attributed to the release of people who can be safely released.”

The call for action from the union comes less than a week after the decision by the provincial government to have remanded and sentenced offenders sent to the Regina and Prince Albert Correctional Centres, and no new admissions to the Saskatoon Correctional Centre. Quigley argues the transfer of the inmates automatically increases the risk of transmission simply by virtue of transportation.

“You also have all kinds of issues in terms of incompatible inmates. You have the potential to create more tension within facilities which impacts inmates but also corrections staff,” she said.

Another measure introduced by the province last week to help reduce the risk of infection, was the requirement all inmates wear masks in all areas of the facilities. Prior to last Friday, only staff were required to wear masks.

“It just seems that the government got caught flat-footed on this issue,” Quigley said. “They’re only responding now to an outbreak after it has occurred.”

Opportunity for positive change

Quigley explained an immediate response to the pandemic might have long-term benefits as well, adding the province relies too much on remand.

“We remand people at twice the national average so this is an opportunity to look critically at how we remand people and to perhaps implement some practices that could assist us long term to make sure we are not warehousing indigenous people specifically,” she said.

Letter sent to Minister of Corrections and Policing

The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS), which assists individuals who are at risk or are involved in the criminal justice process, is among a number of other groups calling for the release of elderly, immunocompromised, and non-violent inmates.

According to a statement Tuesday from the JHSS, a joint letter was sent to the Minister of Corrections and Policing, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and the Head of Public Prosecutions “requesting quick and drastic action to protect both inmates and staff members in these facilities.” The letter references a number of cases already at Saskatchewan facilities.

“No court intends to hold a defendant in a setting where they are at significant risk of grave illness or death. No sentence is crafted to permit such a danger,” the letter stated.

The letter requests all recipients take all steps necessary to reduce the inmate population to a level where inmates are able to practice social distancing.

“Public health officials call on us all to practice social distancing in our everyday lives. Inmates must be permitted to take the same measures to protect themselves as are expected of the general public,” the letter stated.

Among the other suggestions in the letter is for Saskatchewan to fall into line with other provinces with respect to remand use, and for the government to make arrangements for hotel accommodation of any person released from a correctional facility.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell