End Solitary Confinement in Canadian Prisons

The Issue

Mental health has become a pressing concern in Canadian society, and in Canadian prisons. Due to cuts to social services, welfare, and health care, many individuals with mental health conditions and addictions are entering the prison system. But, prisons often lack the staff and resources to effectively provide necessary services to support these individuals. What’s more, methods used in prisons to address mental health issues make matters worse.

Women and girls in Canada’s prisons are at a particularly high risk of dying or becoming seriously ill while in custody. One third of reported incidents of self-harm in Canadian prisons involve women. These incidents are often met with the use of segregation. Solitary confinement is used inappropriately and far too frequently. It creates and worsens mental health issues.

Many Canadians know of the case of Ashley Smith. Ashley was just nineteen years-old when she died in solitary confinement in October 2007 at the federal prison for women in Kitchener, Ontario. The inquest into her death ruled it a preventable homicide. To prevent further deaths, the inquest called for an end to indefinite solitary confinement and stricter limits on the use of segregation. Sadly, their recommendations were not implemented and mistreatment in Canada’s prison system continues.

But there is a solution. The government that will be elected in October can take immediate steps to end solitary confinement, particularly for women and girls and people with mental health issues. That’s why we’ve started this petition and we’re asking for your signature.

To date, no federal leader has committed to address this during their election campaigns. It’s time to tell them that this is an election issue that matters to Canadians. Please sign and share this petition to help send this message.

Canadians for Fiscal and Social Accountability is a group of citizens concerned with the manner in which our tax dollars are spent. Instead of pouring billions of dollars into jailing the most marginalized, we want to see monies allocated to health care — especially mental health services, education and social services. Jails are not treatments centers and we must stop allowing them to be used as such. http://www.caefs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/crimeprev-e.pdf

Canadians For Fiscal and Social AccountabilityPetition Starter

Media inquiries

This petition had 11,402 supporters

The Issue

Canadians For Fiscal and Social AccountabilityPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Petition Closed

This petition had 11,402 supporters

Share this petition

The Decision Makers

Justin Trudeau,

Prime Minister of Canada/Premier ministre du Canada

Responded

“Liberals understand that solitary confinement has serious psychological effects on inmates, who will be returned not just to the general prison population – but to society – at some point. The Conservatives’ “tough on crime” agenda is focused on punitive measures and ideological posturing rather than measures to keep Canadians safe. While solitary confinement is supposed to be used as a last resort, former Liberal Member of Parliament and Justice Minister, Irwin Cotler, obtained figures from the government that indicate that over 20 percent of prisoners spend time in solitary. Moreover, correctional investigator Howard Sapers has found that solitary confinement is now “a default population management strategy.” Disturbingly, the Conservative government has relied on stigma, myths, and stereotypes to develop legislation that is unlikely to have a significant impact on crime. The Liberal Party is committed to addressing mental health issues by working with victims’ advocates, provincial governments, and members of the legal and mental health communities to further modernize our system. Whether this comes through investments in early detection or the support of mental health courts, progress can be made that actually helps prevent such crimes from occurring in the first place. A Liberal government will focus on protecting Canadians and making our communities safer by pursuing evidence-based policies that reduce crime and prevent re-offending, such as rehabilitative programs that are proven to limit repeat offences. ”

Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada/Premier ministre du Canada

Responded

Tom Mulcair,

Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada / Chef, Nouveau Parti démocratique du Canada

Responded

“Thank you for signing the petition calling for an end to solitary confinement. The NDP is concerned about how the Conservatives have neglected persons suffering with mental illness in our society. The Harper government’s failure to address mental health in a meaningful way has escalated this societal problem. Sadly, we have seen the criminalization of many people struggling with mental health whose circumstances do not improve due to the lack of adequate treatment and care within the prison system. An NDP government will address the problem at its root cause: we will create a $100 million Mental Health Innovation Fund for Children and Youth to improve treatment and care and to reduce wait times. We know that 70% of Canadians with a diagnosed mental illness first experienced the onset of symptoms before the age of 18, so investing heavily in care early in life will help to prevent mental health problems as adults. We will also address poverty issues and the lack of affordable housing, which also contribute to the criminalization of persons experiencing mental illness. With regard to the treatment of people within the criminal justice system, an NDP government will adopt the recommendations of the Correctional Investigator of Canada to ensure that people dealing with mental health issues receive timely and appropriate care and do not experience practices and procedures that will exacerbate their condition. We will also work towards implementing the Correctional Investigator’s recommendations with regard to use of solitary confinement and administrative segregation of prisoners. For more information on our plan, please see our platform: http://www.ndp.ca/platform Best regards, Tom Mulcair Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada”

Tom Mulcair

Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada / Chef, Nouveau Parti démocratique du Canada

Responded