‘We are tired of suffering’: inmate advocates call for changes with the province’s jail

“People in the jails are tired of being swept under the rug. We are tired of suffering, you know we are tired of being labelled and being de-humanized,” he said.

Cardinal also explained the process for inmates to make a formal complaint can be very difficult and requires a “higher level education.” He added many inmates struggle alone with just being able to read or write.

Cory Cardinal has been collecting stories from inmates and shares them with retired legal aid lawyer, Deb Hopkins. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Despite poor highway conditions in southern Saskatchewan, Sherri Maier with the inmate advocacy group Beyond Prison Walls Canada, drove from Regina to Prince Albert. She explained inmates have told her that when they do make formal complaints, the letters get crumpled up and tossed into the garbage. Maier also cited one unit within the women’s jail known as the ‘forgotten unit.’

“So they put these women there and they are just forgotten,” she said, adding the only time the government appears to respond is when there is either a death or a suicide.

In January, the death of Kimberly Squirrel promoted calls for change and a review of the provincial correctional system. The 34-year-old was found frozen to death in Saskatoon just days after being released from the Pine Grove Correctional Centre. Maier, who has written a number of letters to the Ministry of Corrections, explained she was told that because Squirrel, was on remand at the time, did not have access to the same level of services an inmate completing a sentence may have access to.

“I don’t give a crap. You know she’s a human being,” Maier said.

Maier, who along with others in the group, called for Minister Tell to resign, said the real root problems are not being addressed.

“They say they are all about rehabilitation but where is the rehabilitation when these buildings like Pine Grove, Saskatoon Correctional or Regina Correctional, are bursting at the seems with inmates,” she said.

Deb Hopkins, a retired legal aid lawyer, also drove out to Pine Grove and explained most of the women in the jail should not be there.

“They are not criminal in the true sense of the word…circumstances most often beyond their control have driven them into this situation,” she said, adding society’s solution to address problems appears to be just to put people away.

Hopkins explained there will come a time when these women are all going to come out, and will need supports from their respective communities.

Response from government

According to an emailed statement from the Ministry of Corrections, staff are actively working with the inmates at Pine Grove Correctional Centre to address their concerns.

“It is our understanding that the concerns that are being raised are very broad, and that many of them are related to court and justice system restrictions that have been put in place due to the pandemic,” the Ministry said.

The statement went on to explain inmates have access to cultural services such as Elders and chaplains. While in-person services have been suspended due to the pandemic, inmates are able to contact chaplains and Elders by phone.

“These phone calls are free, and are considered privileged phone calls,” the Ministry said.

With respect to the process for inmates to make a complaint, the Ministry explained the process is detailed under Part VII of The Correctional Services Act.

“We would urge inmates to go through the legislated channels if they have any concerns. Alternately, inmates may raise any concerns they have with the Ombudsman.”

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

‘We are tired of suffering’: inmate advocates call for changes with the province’s jail

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