CELL COUNT #74

~ SUMMER 2014 ~

- P A S A N -

WHO WE ARE … d) PASAN also provides ongoing support, net- b) PASAN produces a quarterly newsletter working, resources and training for AIDS Ser- entitled CELL COUNT. This unique publica- PASAN is a community-based AIDS Service vices Organizations (ASOs) and other commu- tion, which features art, stories & poetry Organization that strives to provide commu- nity groups across Ontario. We assist ASOs to from prisoners/ ex-prisoners themselves, is nity development, education and support to set up their own prison outreach and support the only newsletter in Canada providing an prisoners and ex-prisoners in Ontario on HIV/ projects, and act as a referral "hub" for HIV uncensored forum for prisoners and youth AIDS, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and other harm positive prisoners and youth in custody who in custody to explore and share their own reduction issues. are transferred from one region to another, experiences, ideas, and fears about HIV/ PASAN formed in 1991 as a grassroots re- thereby helping to ensure a continuity of sup- AIDS/HCV. PASAN distributes 6,800 issues sponse to HIV /AIDS in the Canadian prison port. a year to prisoners, institutions, and agen- system. cies across the country. CELL COUNT is free Today, PASAN is the only community-based II. OUTREACH & EDUCATION for prisoners and people living with HIV/ organization in Canada exclusively providing AIDS in Canada. HIV/AIDS and HCV prevention education and c) PASAN is also available to conduct free a) PASAN conducts HIV prevention education support services to prisoners, ex-prisoners, organizational and staff training for agencies youth in custody and their families. programs in many adult and youth institutions and institutions working with prison-affected, in the southern Ontario region. An integral and drug using populations. We have experi- part of this program is our Peer Educators' ence in conducting training not only for com- WHAT WE DO … Group, which is made up entirely of ex- munity workers and ASO staff, but also for prisoners living with HIV/AIDS. Peer speakers probation/parole officers, youth custody staff, 1. SUPPORT SERVICES accompany PASAN staff for educationals in prison social workers and case management prisons, youth facilities, and other institutions. officers. PASAN offers support services to prisoners, We have found that our Peers are often best youth in custody and their families, as well as able to get across HIV/AIDS information in III. STRATEGIES to other organizations working on HIV/AIDS these settings.

and/or prison issues. These services include: Since our beginnings in 1991, PASAN has al- a) Individual support counselling, case manage- ways maintained a focus on systemic issues of ment, pre-release planning and referrals for HIV/AIDS and prisons. Our work is based in prisoners and youth in custody living with HIV/ a recognition and defense of the fundamental AIDS, primarily in Ontario region institutions. human rights of prisoners, and our perspec- We can assist our clients in accessing proper tive derives from PASAN's brief entitled HIV/ medical care and support while incarcerated, AIDS in Prison Systems: A Comprehensive Strat- as well as help to arrange housing and medical/ egy (June 1992). This document, which out- social support upon release. Much of this sup- lined 40 recommendations for implementing port is coordinated via telephone through a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy in the collect calls, although we also do in-person Canadian prison system, served as the impe- support whenever possible. To date, PASAN tus and the basis for the report by the federal has worked with more than 400 HIV positive government's Expert Committee on AIDS in prisoners and youth in custody in over 30 Prisons (ECAP) in February 1994. different institutions (both federal and provin- In June 1996, PASAN released the follow-up cial) in six different provinces. document HIV/AIDS in Youth Custody Settings: b) The only National AIDS Hotline specifically A Comprehensive Strategy which specifically for prisoners. We accept collect calls from addressed the needs of youth in custody. In prisoners across Canada at 416-920-9567 and May 1999, PASAN released a new document can help you with your questions about HIV/ on male-to-female transsexual/transgendered AIDS, and help you get the support you need. prisoners and HIV/AIDS. c) An emergency financial assistance fund PASAN organized the First National Workshop which provides limited financial support for on HIV/AIDS in Prison (Kingston, 1995). both provincial and federal prisoners and PASAN has made presentations on HIV/AIDS youth in custody living with HIV/AIDS. We can in prisons at the XI International Conference on help with things like replacement fees for birth AIDS in Vancouver (July 1996) and has ap- certificates, S.I.N. cards and other necessary peared before the Parliamentary Subcommittee ID and we have a small fund to help people on AIDS in Ottawa (Nov 1996) and the Presi- newly released from prison. The availability of dential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in Wash- these funds vary, and we require proof of HIV ington, DC (June 1998) and the Canadian Hu- status for people accessing the fund. man Rights Commission (Oct. 2001)

2 SUMMER 2014 - CELL COUNT #74 - OUTREACH & SUPPORT SCHEDULE - - INSIDE THIS ISSUE -

IMPORTANT: Programs run on one Unit only per month. If you want to see a worker or PASAN Services/Schedule …………....….. 2-3 attend a program put in a request to the Volunteer Coordinator or the Social Work Dept. Bulletin Board ……...…………..……...... … 4 PROVINCIAL (ON) News on the Block ….....………..……… 5-14 Men: CECC – Groups/1on1: Sign-up sheet; Request to Social Work Dept; Call PASAN Poems .…...………………….……..……… 15 CNCC – Groups/1on1: Sign-up sheet; Request to Social Work Dept; Call PASAN HWDC – Groups/1on1: Sign-up sheet; 4th Wed; Call PASAN MAPLEHURST – Groups/1on1: Sign-up sheet; 1st & 3rd Wed; Call PASAN Health & Harm Reduction ………...…... 16-18 OCDC – 1on1: Call PASAN TEDC – Groups/1on1: Run twice a month; Call for a program on your unit PenPals ……………………....……………. 19 TSDC – ??? Women: CECC – Groups: Every 2nd Wed of each month; Sign-up Units 8 & 9 Programs Resources ……………………....………… 20 1on1: Request to Social Work Dept. or call PASAN CNCC – Every 3rd Fri of each month; Sign-up Unit 9 Programs VCW – Call PASAN - ABOUT CELL COUNT - FEDERAL (ON)

Men: PASAN publishes ‘Cell Count’, 4 Issues per year. We try to visit each prison at least 3 times a year. We visit: Bath, Beavercreek, Collins It is sent out for FREE to Clients & Prisoners. Bay, Fenbrook, Frontenac, Millhaven, Pittsburgh and Warkworth. If you are on the outside or part of an organization, We see people individually or in group settings and talk about HIV/AIDS, Hep C, Harm please consider a subscription @ $20 per year. Reduction and Health Promotion. If you wish to know more or have HIV please contact us to find out when we will be at your institution. Publisher: PASAN Women: 526 Richmond St, Toronto, ON, M5A 1R3 GVI – Call PASAN Circulation: 1,700+ ~ Recirculation: ?,???,??? Editor: Tom Jackson YOUTH (GTA) All original artwork, poems & writings are the We visit different youth facilities, group homes, etc. throughout the City of Toronto on a sole (soul) property of the artist & author. regular basis. For more info call Trevor. ______Fair Dealing & the Canadian Copyright Act: Section 29.1: “Fair dealing for the purpose of criti- FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS cism or review does not infringe copyright” CALL PASAN COLLECT AT: 416-920-9567 Section 29.2: “Fair dealing for the purpose of news ______reporting does not infringe copyright”

- HIV+ CLIENT SERVICES - - ARTISTS IN THIS ISSUE -

In order to be a client & access these services you need to have confirmed HIV+ status. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

♦ PHONE HOURS - Mon - Fri from 9-5, except Tuesday mornings Cover: Tim Felfoldi

♦ DROP-IN - Mondays 1:30-3:30 (except holidays) Good food & 2 TTC tokens Page 11: Kenneth Whitman ♦ NURSE - 1st & last Monday 1:30-3:30 every month ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ♦ ID CLINIC - 1st & 3rd Thursday 1:00-2:30 every month

♦ RELEASE FUNDS - $50 (twice a year max)

♦ TTC TOKENS - 3 per week Mon @ 10, or Tues @ 1:30 if Mon is a holiday

♦ HARM REDUCTION MATERIALS - Mon - Fri from 9-5, except Tuesday AM (Safer-Crack-Use-Kits, Safer-Needle-Use-Kits, Piercing Needles, Condoms, etc…)

Sometime s we and the phones are very busy so … please keep trying !!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CELL COUNT #74 - SUMMER 2014 3 - EDITOR’S NOTE - - DROP-IN - - NURSE -

Dear PenPals: Please write PASAN CLIENTS A Nurse at PASAN! only to ads in this Issue, as On the 1st & last Monday of every month most of the older ads aren’t Mondays 1:30 - 3:30 1:30 - 3:30 there anymore! See you then! • Information and education regarding: You can send more than one ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - Medications letter in an envelope - put the - Nutrition Code # at the top, your name & address on each. - FAMILY VISITATION - - Community Health Resources All undeliverable mail is destroyed. - HIV/AIDS understanding Sorry folks, but this PenPal system is getting outta F.E.A.T. for Children of Incarcerated Parents was - Complications to HIV/AIDS control! About 200 penpal ads come in for each founded in 2011 to support the needs of the over (ie: Opportunistic Infections) issue & there’s only space for 60. So it’s the ‘Grab- 15,000 children in the Greater Toronto Area that One-Outta-The-Big-Bag’ method now. If your ad have a parent in the criminal justice system. • Assessments of emerging health issues isn’t in this one, send again for the next Issue. • Management of existing medical conditions or

The Family Visitation Program follow up(s) It is a struggle doing all this on 3 hrs a day, so pls, Would you like to visit a family member in prison? respect, keep the calls short. 1-4 pm, no Voicemail. • Communication with community/ institutional F.E.A.T’s Family Visitation Program provides trans- health care providers for access, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ portation on weekends for you and an adult to To clarify or communicate health information correctional facilities in Southern Ontario. During • - MOVING ? - and to advocate for health service provisions the trip, you will be able to talk to friends and men- tors, play games and watch movies. Youth under • Communicating findings and follow-up plans We get about 75 Cell Counts sent back to us each 18 can visit their family member for free! If you are and accountabilities with PHAs and PASAN mail-out labelled, ‘Not Here’. interested in participating in the program, please primary workers (or delegates) Please help us reduce our mailing expenses by call or email F.E.A.T. to register today! letting us know of any address change, ASAP! ~ Please Sign Up at the Front Desk ~ So, before you call your mom - let us know! For more information or registration please contact ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jessica or Derek Reid by email at: - ID CLINIC - - WORKLOAD - [email protected] or 416-505-5333 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Partners for Access and Identification (PAID) PASAN has been around for 23 years now and over - CONTACT NUMBERS - project opens doors and breaks down barriers for the years our client population has increased dra- individuals who do not have a fixed or permanent matically. If you are in any Federal Inst - call us address. As a result of this increase in workload, clients may Toll-Free: 1-866-224-9978 not be able to spend as much time on the tele- The ID Clinics are held at PASAN on the phone with staff as we would like. The staff and If you are in any Provincial Inst - call us 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month volunteers are dedicated and committed and will Collect: 416-920-9567 1:00 - 2:30 continue to provide the best care possible. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks for your patience and understanding! We begin by helping individuals obtain vital identifi- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - CELL COUNT SUBS - cation such as:

- ARTISTS & WRITERS - • Ontario Photo Health Card SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS: • Canadian Birth Certificate Let us know if you would like your work Record of Landing returned to you or sent on to someone else! Over the past 12 years this subscription list has • grown from 700 to 1700 and all costs have more • Social Insurance Number Artists: This publication is printed in B&W. That than doubled during this period. means 'high-contrast printing' no tonal nuances. The project operates at various sites across the city Pencil sketches get blown-away (don’t expect good We receive less than 20 subscriptions for ‘Cell of Toronto. The PAID Project also connects individu- results). Black ballpoint or felt-tip penwork (tat- Count’ from organizations Canada-wide so we’ve als and families to other services, such as: style) reproduces quite well. Try to work on paper had to pare-down our mailing list so we can get with no lines & nothing on the backside (it shows more copies inside where they are much needed. • Primary health care facilities through and degrades the image). • Sources for housing Consider the final print size: column width is 2.5, 5 Cell Count is posted in PDF format @ pasan.org • Sources for food or 7.5”. Cover Art should be about 7”x 7". Artwork as a FREE download for viewing/ printing. We • Legal Aid that is being reduced loses a lot of detail. Artwork urge you to help us out by using this method if cannot you do not need to have a physical subscription. be enlarged (it gets really fuzzy & ugly). We also provide guidance and awareness regarding

Cover Art should NOT have the Issue # on it be- other programs that are available, including com- If your org has paid for a sub - don’t worry, you’re cause if it is not used for that Issue, it would be munity-based support services. for sure on our mailing list! Oh yeah ... Thanks! really, really nice to use it on a future Issue! Writers: We get a lot of great work sent in that For more information, please call: we are unable to use because of very limited space. Neighbourhood Link Support Services at Apologies. Please consider the column width & 416-691-7407 keep articles/ poems tight & to the point. Honestly, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the first items to go in are the ones that fit nicely & leave space for others - quality & quantity!

4 SUMMER 2014 - CELL COUNT #74 My RPCC Nightmare CSC Machine - NEWS ON THE BLOCK - I’m in RPCC where I’m suffering. I’m in so much Our rights are now under relentless attack, making physical pain that I’m sometimes in a screaming fit prison life and the prison system more stressful. PASAN has MOVED! because of this tormenting pain. The GPs and These attacks are unjustifiable and are only being nurses are worthless. made because Harper’s ‘tough on crime’ agenda 526 RICHMOND ST E So if you are thinking of coming here, think twice serves his interest in appealing to his small right- Toronto, ON, M5A 1R3 for your own good and your health. wing Reform base as well as his party’s eventual goal of privatizing the prison system. p.s. - If anyone out there has been in any way CSC staff for the most part are obviously hardcore ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ physically, emotionally or mentally treated in a bad in toeing up to whichever party-line is currently in Mental Healthcare in Corrections vs way there (even if you’re still there) please, if you government. CSC as well as many staff are now at Medication Abuse among Inmates can write about it so people are warned. the point of complete disrespect for inmates includ- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ing taking away Prisoners Justice Day in honour of The fact that medication abuse could be a problem Help Stop This Cycle inmates who have died while being incarcerated, in the management of inmates certainly cannot be inmates who died fighting to be treated humanely. avoided without a concentrated intervention. How- I’m finally at the end of my time at Sask Pen. This Under the guise of reducing prison costs, the ever, the current approach of discontinuing pre- was a truly terrible, demoralizing experience in a Harper government has increased overcrowding, scribed medications upon the individual’s admission filthy and corrupt institution. reduced food quality, disallowed Prison Justice Day, (which may address the issue of ‘enabling’ an al- I came here a healthy 21 year old id that made and without just cause removed the right of in- leged offender to continue ‘abusing’ certain medica- some mistakes I needed to learn from and got mates to duly elect their Committee representatives tions), also creates another significant problem. nothing but Hep C and a 10 year gap in my re- or to fire elected representatives as they decide. Though Corrections claims to be committed to sume from this place. CSC is run more and more with an attitude of ‘no improving the approach to Mental Healthcare, this I’m very lucky to have a wonderful and supportive compromise’ and is becoming more and more writer has no faith in that claim. family that never let me give up on myself. Also, I about demonstrating who is in charge as a private As an individual who struggles with major Depres- found one staff member here, a social worker who business. Prison staff is able to get away with per- sive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, I helped me with my mental illness and to under- sonal decisions with no apparent interaction from had one of my medications discontinued upon stand that having schizophrenia does not mean CSC or admin. admission to detention. This medication was suc- that I’m a lunatic or a lost cause and that living Neither inmates nor their committee reps were cessful in reducing/ controlling very disturbing night- with it is nothing like even my own preconceptions consulted about sweeping changes such as the new mares associated with PTSD. Simply put, it effec- of the illness. pay system or phone system. While costs increase tively addressed a negative symptom and improved I’m finally at a point where I’m ready to live a for Canteen, cable, room & board (no gst or tax my quality of life. When taken away, the symptoms happy life and I never could’ve got there without deductions allowed) our pay lags behind to the returned and caused some difficulties that led to the support of the people that really care. point we cannot make ends meet. With less pay, the way I am managed now (kept segregated due I only wish it hadn’t taken so long. If only I had met inmates are no longer able to afford any possible to recurring symptoms). someone years ago that knew what I was facing I future lawyer costs or save adequate money As a patient struggling with PTSD symptoms I had might have saved myself and my family so many needed upon release to the street. an opportunity to be treated at SLVCTC. Through a years of pain. Meanwhile CSC remains uncompromising in atti- combination of interactive group therapy, individual If there’s anything I could do to possibly help the tude. Little by little, inch by inch we have been counselling and medication, I became quite stable. next generation of future inmates, with or without losing all the gains inmates have made over the The unique attitude, compassion and care provided mental illness, to not have to end up here I would years. More and more we are inhumanely man- to residents there is made possible in part by mu- like to. I truly believe that I could help, whether it aged like robotic subservient parts of some CSC tual cooperation between Corrections and Royal be by telling my own story or simply listening to controlled machine. Ottawa Healthcare. The benefit to the resident is theirs. Harper’s ‘tough on crime’ initiative has all but de- colossal. In the realm of Mental Health, the thera- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ stroyed the parole initiative; few, if any inmates, are peutic environment affords a safe and caring at- Post-Secondary Education able to make parole no matter how well they do in mosphere to become self-aware and mentally prison. Although respect is on the down-slide be- healthy. Here is the latest at Stony Mountain. This past tween inmates and staff, and inmates and the The opinion I am putting forward is that consis- week there was an Order put out that all inmates system - inmates must strive to work together for tency is imperative in the treatment and mainte- cannot receive any form of mail containing educa- mutual respect within our population and not sim- nance of individuals who struggle with mental ill- tional brochures from any type of college or univer- ply abandon it just to make parole. The system has ness. Without an Administration that works with sity unless approved by a PO. become a self-perpetuating business, a revolving Healthcare providers to monitor and address indi- Even with IPO approval it will go directly into stor- door. If prisoners do their time properly, meeting vidual patient needs, the attitude and preconceived age at A&D for 6 months or so, rendering the info court designated parole they should be granted notion that every inmate that comes into custody is out-dated and useless. parole. Parole is then a bonus, an initiative for good a ‘druggie’ looking for an easy ‘pharmaceutical The excuse used is: CSC does not support (or en- behaviour but not if it is systematically denied. high’ is going to affect the well-being of the individ- courage) any education initiative past GED/ grade As well, whether or not we agree with integrated ual as well as the community when that person 12 level. populations because of whatever biases we may returns in a state of mental instability. Nevertheless, I started a course with the under- have towards the crimes fellow inmates have per- Just as a diabetic is prescribed insulin, so too should standing that the world has gone well into web- petrated or towards those inmates who have per- people with a valid mental health diagnosis be based courses vs correspondence media (paper) for haps co-operated too closely with authorities, I prescribed medications. How then can an institu- Distance Ed. cannot stress strongly enough that we must fight tional doctor with no knowledge of a patient’s his- The world is leaving us to catch-up after release the ‘divide and conquer’ strategy of CSC and the tory, disregard the orders of a doctor better in- while not having time or money to realistically be Harper government towards the inmate population, formed and make a decision based on ignorance? successful, or is expecting us to remain ignorant through solidarity despite any personal feelings. Something is terribly wrong. and under-skilled to relapse. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I’d be interested in hearing about other inmate’s encounters.

CELL COUNT #74 - SUMMER 2014 5 TV Porn Ban Alberta Cult System

They recently cut our channels that showed pornog- As I waddled into the courtroom raphy and I filed a third level grievance (which I Glancing at the Bench knew was going to be refused). I am now at Fed- There’s His Honour scoping out his Typing Wench eral Court arguing against this censorship because Over across from them, sitting no-doubt higher our Rights are guaranteed under the Charter of Would be the Hound Prostituter Rights and Freedom (Chapter 2) and the fact that Parked along-side my Liar our cells are leased places since we are paying Then You’re a Goner (I mean Your Honour) Room and Board. Calls his Star but Scared Shitless Witless If we accept everything thrown at us we will be- What do you know, I figured it’s a No Show come sheep and more like the US system. Win or Assuming I’m guiltless lose, I am going to court and if we get this Right Just my luck, in stumbles Cluck (I mean Chuck) Prison Radio honoured, it will apply to all Federal Inst. The lying schmuk, now that he’s here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I could definitely use a beer • Guelph - CFRU 93.3 FM You couldn’t help but notice Prison Radio - Thurs 10-11am One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson How my Co-Confused appeared Call-in: 519-837-2378 about a battle that was going on inside himself. Tail between his legs, all shaky, pale & weird • Kingston - CFRC 101.9 FM He said "My son, it is between two wolves. One is The false accusations that frothed Prison Radio - Wed 7-8 pm filled with anger, hatred, envy, sorrow, regret, arro- From his fictional jib Call-in: 1-800-440-5219 gance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, Would make a Solid Man puke • Montreal - CKUT 90.3 FM false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is filled And choke on a rib Prison Radio - 2nd Thurs 5-6 pm with joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kind- When Gumby was finished • Vancouver - CFRO 102.7 FM ness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, com- The Grudge (I mean Judge) Stark Raven - 1st Mon 7-8 pm passion, and faith.” Bolted on his hat The grandson thought about it for a minute and Put his arm around The Rat then asked his grandfather, Thus the Cultroom (Courtroom) diminished It's better to be a lion for a day than a sheep all "Which wolf wins?" As I got Sentenced, I eyeballed the hound Barky your life. The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one I feed." All this time knowing he would rather - Sister Elizabeth Kenny - Cherokee Elder Plug me in like Ol’ Sparky Them’s the Fax You can't turn back the clock. But you can wind it It's important to watch what you put in your mind. Which dumped me in the Max up again. - Linda Knight - Casper, AB - Bonnie Prudden

'Horrific Conditions' in Crowded Jails ment is probably in the remand system, both in “People do take shortcuts when they are short- Signal Need for Overhaul, terms of the numbers that are there and the proc- staffed and people do take shortcuts when we are says John Howard Society ess in which they are getting bail or not getting overcrowded and that is how we basically keep the bail,” she said. “And secondly, the horrific condi- Band-Aids on the system to keep it functioning,” Advocates for prisoners say the “horrific conditions” tions in which these people, who are presumed said Sidsworth. “That’s been happening in Ontario in jails such as Ottawa’s are the result of over- innocent, are being detained. corrections for quite a while now.” crowding caused by a broken bail system that des- “It is much less expensive to manage people in the Sidsworth said the number of staff in the institu- perately needs changes. community prior to trial than to detain them in tions hasn’t been adjusted in 20 years and the level “I think we really need to look at a major overhaul these expensive and, now we see, somewhat dan- of violence between inmates and toward guards is of the remand system in Canada and in Ontario,” gerous, institutions,” Latimer said. high. said Catherine Latimer, executive director of the Carleton University sociology and anthropology Most of the time the public doesn’t know what John Howard Society, following the release of On- professor Aaron Doyle, who last year organized a goes on inside the institutions, which makes change tario Ombudsman André Marin’s annual report public forum on conditions at the Ottawa-Carleton even more difficult, said Doyle. Monday that concluded Ontario’s jails were improv- Detention Centre, said he believes Ontario jails are “They are a set of marginalized people the public ing but still not fixed. at a “crisis point.” don’t care about. Prisoners are at the bottom of In his report, Marin cited an incident of what he Research has shown that the number of people everyone’s priority list,” he said. called “extreme cruelty” at the Ottawa-Carleton being held on remand in Ontario has tripled since A spokesman for the correctional services ministry Detention Centre where a prisoner was denied 1970s, he said. said the ministry has “restructured our oversight prompt treatment for a broken leg. “The place is overloaded and it’s chaotic because and investigation model at the Ottawa Carleton “You need to improve the conditions. There is a so many people are coming and going all the time. Detention Centre to ensure greater transparency, duty to provide care of the people in remand facili- Often these problems where somebody has a pretty accountability and robust oversight.” ties or being imprisoned,” Latimer said. “They serious medical issue don’t get attention in time,” Brent Ross said a community advisory board was shouldn’t be subjected to conditions that will endan- said Doyle. established in March to provide oversight and a ger their health or their mental well-being while Dan Sidsworth, a guard at the Maplehurst Correc- Correctional Services Oversight and Investigations they are being detained.” tional Complex in Milton and chairman of the cor- unit, which reports directly to the deputy minister of Latimer said that can start by reducing the number rections division of the Ontario Public Service Em- correctional services, was established. of people being held in the facilities. The province ployees Union, said he couldn’t comment on “We are committed to making sure all inmates are has some of the strictest conditions for releasing the case cited by Marin from the Ottawa jail other treated with respect, fairness and receive the same people on bail, which creates a backlog of prisoners than to say the way the prisoner was treated is supports they would in the community,” Ross said awaiting trial and can lead to abuses like the one “not our practice.” in an email. Marin cited in his report. However, Sidsworth said Ontario jails are under- “Our sense is that the area in the justice system staffed and overcrowded and that leads to staff Andrew Seymour where we fi nd the greatest injustices at the mo- cutting corners. Ottawa Citizen - June 23, 2014

6 SUMMER 2014 - CELL COUNT #74 Canada expanding rarely used program the prison. Children under six are allowed on a part given six months to reinstate the program. that lets mothers live with children -time basis. While the B.C. decision is not binding for other in minimum security prisons Advocates for the mother-child program argue it provinces or at the federal level, Mr. Sapers called can lead to positive outcomes for both the woman it “instructive.” Although it is rarely used, the Canadian prison and the child, including fewer inmates committing “In federal corrections, it will be properly pointed program in which incarcerated mothers of young new crimes after their release. out that a program exists,” he said. “But the court children are given special rooms is set for a major Some victim groups, on the other hand, have ar- ruling also suggests it’s not enough to have a pro- expansion. gued it grants incarcerated women a privilege they gram on paper, you have to have a program that As it adds 114 beds to minimum security prisons in do not deserve. Prison staff have also raised con- actually exists.” Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, cern about the safety of the children. Federally incarcerated women are the fastest- the Correctional Service of Canada will also add 15 The Harper government ordered stricter eligibility growing segment of Canada’s prison population, new rooms adjacent to the main prison areas, set requirements by ministerial directive in 2008, fol- with 35% of them of aboriginal descent, according aside for mothers and their children, CSC spokes- lowing the controversial case of convicted murderer to Mr. Sapers. There are 619 women in federal woman Chantal Guerette said in an email. Lisa Whitford, who was allowed to keep her baby prisons and about two-thirds of them are mothers. The rooms “were designed with the capacity to while behind bars. Amanda Edgar, who gave birth to her daughter in facilitate the mother-child program,” she wrote, but The changes included reducing the age of eligibility 2011 while in a B.C. jail that still offered the pro- she did not confirm whether more women would among children to six from 12, excluding those who gram, said it helped her develop a strong connec- actually take part. committed more serious crimes, and requiring the tion with her daughter. Currently, only two do, part time. Since 2008, only approval of provincial or territorial authorities. “I had that bond with her. I was able to breastfeed 14 children have participated at the federal level, Six years later, however, the government has yet to her,” she said. with eight of them on a full-time basis. make an official policy change. Ms. Edgar was released the same year and is now “It’s very unclear,” said Howard Sapers, Canada’s Mr. Sapers is hoping a British Columbia court ruling studying horticulture. The 30-year-old said she ombudsman for federal prisons. from last December, which affirmed the rights of never felt her child was in danger behind bars, and “We’ve been in frequent contact with Corrections female offenders to be with their children, helps many of the staff and her fellow inmates helped Service Canada about this issue, not just frankly move things forward by opening the program to care for her child. about the confusion around the policy… but also more women. about the very low participation rate,” Mr. Sapers The ruling came after a challenge from two in- Benjamin Shingle said. mates at Alouette Correctional Centre, which shut Canadian Press Under the program, children under age four are down its mother-child program in 2008. May 19, 2014 allowed to stay with eligible inmate mothers inside The B.C. government, which did not appeal, was ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Missing Aboriginal Women: sentences and restrictions on conditional sentences. to demonstrate that Canadians care about the lost More Imprisonment is Not the Solution Aboriginal people already account for more than in aboriginal mothers and daughters. 1 in 4 of our prison population. Such an inquiry would “commit sociology,” but in Increased use of imprisonment is unlikely to reduce The RCMP report indicates that 71 per cent of the doing so it would educate Canadians about the the national crisis of murdered and missing Aborigi- known killers of aboriginal women have a criminal roots of the victimization of aboriginal women in nal women. If imprisonment worked, aboriginal record compared to 43 per cent of killers of non- residential schools, child-welfare apprehensions, women should be safer. Tragically, this is not the aboriginal victims. Imprisonment may incapacitate sexual discrimination under the Indian Act, condi- case. In 1984, 8 per cent of female homicide vic- some of these killers. At the same time, most of- tions on reserves, poverty and addictions. tims were aboriginal; in 2012, despite higher incar- fenders will be released. There are few rehabilita- Imprisoning people is very expensive. Other forms ceration rates, the figure was 8 per cent. tion programs, especially for aboriginal offenders, in of support for aboriginal families and communities A recent RCMP report on the subject reveals the federal prisons. The situation in overcrowded pro- seem more promising. The RCMP report calls for power of research and statistics. It discovered more vincial systems is worse. crime prevention that works with community part- than 250 aboriginal murdered women who were The idea that crimininalizing prostitution will save ners and other parts of government. It does not “officially” unknown because of the failure of police aboriginal women is a triumph of ideology over pretend that imprisonment is the answer. and Statistics Canada to record the origins of homi- facts. The RCMP report reveals that only 2 per cent The divide between criminals and victims that the cide victims. of aboriginal murdered women were victims of federal government stresses is often a false one, At a time when the federal department of justice is organized crime. Although 12 per cent were identi- especially for aboriginal people. More than a third cutting funds for research, seemingly because of fied as sex workers, the RCMP warns that this is of women in prison are Aboriginal and this is also concerns that research does not always support the not a significant difference from non-aboriginal part of the story. government’s message, the RCMP report must victims. A public inquiry that listened to the affected fami- have been irritating to a government that stub- In any event, the Supreme Court has found that lies and communities might help Canadians better bornly refuses calls by many aboriginal groups and laws against solicitation, bawdy houses and living understand the causes of this serious national prob- provincial and territorial governments for a national off the avails of prostitution make sex workers less lem. It might reveal more constructive and less inquiry. safe. Many of the same concerns would apply to expensive ways than imprisonment to reduce vio- It seems as if the government’s answer to this the government’s anticipated solution of making the lence against aboriginal women. Canada has al- national crisis will be found in a bill yet to be intro- purchase (and perhaps even the sale) of sex illegal. ready heavily invested in imprisonment. duced criminalizing prostitution and in the pro- It will force sex workers underground where they Unfortunately it is not making aboriginal women posed Victims’ Bill of Rights before Parliament. The are will become even more vulnerable to crime. safer. latter bill will amend a Criminal Code provision that Calls for an inquiry should not be dismissed. The encourages judges to use alternative to imprison- British Columbia Missing Women Inquiry found Kent Roach ment with special regard for the circumstances of that the police missed possible leads in the Pickton Globe and Mail aboriginal offenders. case because it did not work closely with aboriginal May 27, 2014 The government has already been gutting Parlia- communities. The police need advice on how to ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ment’s 1996 direction to judges to use reasonable engage with Aboriginal communities who have alternatives to imprisonment for aboriginal offend- many reasons to be suspicious of them. Your brain has a mind of its own. ers through the introduction of more mandatory The greatest value of an inquiry, however, would be - Kathryn Barrett

CELL COUNT #74 - SUMMER 2014 7 HIV Non-Disclosure Charges justice," Dr. Mona Loutfy of Women’s College Re- tors and judges to exercise restraint. Not Science-Based, doctors say search Institute and her co-authors wrote in the "Misuse" of the criminal law does nothing to help 'Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical curb the HIV epidemic and drives people further Canadian justice system unfairly prosecuting Microbiology'. away from effective HIV prevention, care, treat- people who don't disclose they're HIV-positive, After reviewing the medical literature for the most ment and support services, the Canadian HIV/AIDS doctors say recent evidence on HIV and its transmission, the Legal Network said. Miscarriages of justice could result from a poor authors concluded that using a condom or effective The risks of other combinations of sexual acts, appreciation of the latest evidence on how HIV antiretroviral therapy poses a negligible possibility condom use and antiretroviral therapy were also transmits, say a group of Canadian HIV physicians of transmitting HIV during vaginal-penile inter- described in the paper. and medical researchers who want to clear up any course. The authors also outlined their view that being spat confusion. When the concentration of HIV falls below the on by someone who is HIV-positive poses no possi- In Friday’s statement, doctors, scientists and ex- concentration that can be detected by laboratory bility of transmission, and that being bitten by an perts from the Association of Medical Microbiology tests then the HIV-positive individual is said to have HIV-positive person poses no possibility of transmis- and Infectious Disease Canada and Canadian HIV/ an "undetectable" viral load — achieving the goal sion unless the bite breaks skin and the HIV- AIDS Legal Network say they’re concerned the of antiretroviral therapy. positive person’s saliva contains blood. Even then, Canadian justice system is unfairly prosecuting Under Canadian law, people living with HIV can be the possibility is negligible. people who are HIV-positive and don’t disclose their sent to jail and registered as sexual offenders for The experts said they were motivated by a profes- status. life for not disclosing their status unless they use a sional and ethical responsibility to assist the crimi- "We are concerned that actors in the criminal condom and have an undetectable or low viral load. nal justice system to understand and interpret the justice system have not always correctly interpreted The group says fulfilling either of those conditions is science of HIV. the medical and scientific evidence regarding the enough, based on the science. possibility of HIV transmission, and may not have The experts called those court rulings "unfair, CBC News understood that HIV infection is a chronic manage- harmful to both individual and public health, and at May 02, 2014 able condition. This may lead to miscarriages of odds with the science." They urged Crown prosecu- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Prison Cells Not Enough to Stem ing in a 9 per cent increase in the overall prison closure of the Kingston Penitentiary, Ontario’s Re- Overcrowding, Auditor-General finds population since March 2010. gional Treatment Centre and the Leclerc institution That’s despite increased investments in prison reha- in Quebec was not as high as estimated by the The federal prison system is expected to face re- bilitation programming, according to the Auditor- CSC. The CSC had said it would save about $120- newed overcrowding problems just a few years General’s report. The report found the CSC was not million per year, while the Auditor-General found after Ottawa completes a plan to add thousands of doing enough to document offender participation in that figure to be closer to $86-million. new cells, a new report by the Auditor-General says. rehabilitation programs, which it noted could nega- Mr. Ferguson’s report to Parliament also found The report also found that one of the key reasons tively affect Parole Board decisions. problems with other departments and programs: for prison population growth is not a series of new The department also did not look at whether popu- The government’s First Nations policing system is mandatory minimum sentences introduced in re- lation pressures were making it more difficult for not working as intended and some of the police cent years – but a bottleneck when it comes to inmates to move from higher-security to lower- services fail to meet provincial policing legislation releasing offenders on parole before their sentence security facilities, the Auditor-General found. That’s and standards. is completed. an important consideration because inmates are Public-service pension plans, covering public ser- The Auditor-General’s report examined federal more likely to be granted parole after they have vants, Mounties and the military, are not regularly prisons over the past three years, looking closely at transitioned to lower-security facilities. assessed for sustainability, and prolonged low inter- expansions and facility closures meant to respond The report also found problems with regional over- est rates, lower-than-expected returns on assets to prison population changes and reduce the cost crowding that may not be addressed by the recent and longer life spans could end up costing taxpay- of housing federal offenders. The Correctional Ser- expansions. That’s because the CSC determined ers billions. vice of Canada is adding more than 2,700 new where it would expand prisons based on the land A government program intended to integrate the cells to 37 facilities to deal with growth in the over- available for new prison cells – rather than on way public servants, the military and the RCMP all number of prisoners. regional needs – which means the growth in prison handle transfers and moving costs, did not encour- The new cells should provide enough additional space did not match regional population projec- age competition when it sought to issue one large space to meet the needs of the current prison tions. contract to cover everyone. population, Auditor-General Michael Ferguson As a result of regional population pressures, the Statistics Canada needs to better address the needs found. However, the report found that the solution Auditor-General found that prisons will have to of those outside the federal government who use its will be short-lived, and overcrowding is expected to continue to put two or more inmates in a cell de- data, especially when it comes to job-vacancy data. be a problem again a few years after the expan- signed for one. “Even after the construction is com- sions are completed in 2015. pleted, CSC officials expect double-bunking to con- Kim Mackrael “We found that CSC’s updated population projec- tinue,” the report states. Globe and Mail tion shows that it will again be at or over capacity In addition to double-bunking in regular cells, the May 06, 2014 within a few years of completing construction,” a Auditor-General found that some inmates were With files from The Canadian Press summary of the findings states. being crowded into segregation cells and cells ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ottawa planned in 2009 to build new cells and add smaller than 5 square meters. Overcrowding is a the ability to double bunk more prisoners to deal significant concern for staff and inmate safety and What you have become is the price you paid to get with an expected growth in the prison population. It the issue has been repeatedly raised by correctional what you used to want. also said it would build five new prisons, but can- officer unions in recent years. - Mignon McLaughlin celled those plans – and closed three existing pris- Many of the expansions were made without regard ons – when it determined the population was not for the proportion of segregation cells and the need You reach a certain point that, when you've been growing at the pace it had expected. for health-care facilities, even though the CSC had through enough crap, you know what you want But a 14 per cent decline in discretionary releases identified a need to improve health facilities in when you see it. by the Parole Board in recent years means more many of the institutions being expanded. - Kelly Murdock-Billy prisoners are staying in custody for longer – result- The report also found that cost savings from the

8 SUMMER 2014 - CELL COUNT #74 Supreme Court blocks Harper ment's tough-on-crime agenda. The 2010 Truth in liament's intention." government's Tougher Sentencing rules Sentencing Act set out to bar judges from giving The government said it was building confidence in double credit to offenders, in which each day be- the justice system by ending an overly generous 7-0 ruling underscores the losing streak of the hind bars before a trial counted as two days off practice by judges. It also said prisoners abuse the Harper government in major cases at the Su- their ultimate sentence. The act said each day system's generosity by drawing out their cases in preme Court over the past month should count as a day, though it also allowed 1.5 hopes of earning double credit. But one Ontario The Conservative government's tough-on-crime days credit "if the circumstances justify it." judge described that type of abuse as "more chi- agenda has suffered another major blow at the Judges in several provinces, however, have been meric than real." Supreme Court of Canada. The court blocked the routinely giving credit of 1.5 days. They say the The case was a key battleground between the government's attempt to stop judges from routinely extra credit is only fair, because jail time is nearly government and the judiciary. The Truth in Sen- giving extra credit to offenders for time served in always reduced by a minimum of one-third after tencing Act put limits on judges' discretion, one of jail before sentencing. sentencing; a 90-day sentence means 60 days. several Conservative laws to do so. Judges have The 7-0 ruling continues the losing streak of the "I just say it's absolutely unfair to treat someone been pushing back, saying that it is still their job to Harper government in major cases at the Supreme who is presumed to be innocent more harshly than ensure sentences are proportional and fair, under Court over the past month. we would treat someone who has been found to be the Criminal Code. While the case wasn't strictly The rulings in two separate cases were a major guilty," Ontario Superior Court Justice Stephen speaking a constitutional one, proportionality has rebuke for the Harper government's approach to Glithero wrote in the case of Sean Summers, 19, been described by the Supreme Court as a sentencing. The court suggested that its rulings convicted of manslaughter after shaking his three- "constitutional obligation." were rooted not only in a straightforward interpre- month-old baby to death. Canada has more people in remand (waiting for tation of the Truth in Sentencing Act, but in time- That case was one of two prosecutors had ap- trial) than in jail after being sentenced. In 2007-08, less principles of sentencing. And the rulings were pealed to the Supreme Court. Mr. Summers re- on any given day about 12,800 adults were in written by a Harper appointee, Justice Andromache ceived 1.5 times credit for the 10 months he spent remand compared to about 9,500 in sentence Karakatsanis - one of four on the panel of seven in pre-trial custody, taking 15 months off his eight- custody. The number of adults in remand doubled judges who heard the cases. year sentence. Level Carvery, also 19, of Nova from the late 1990s to 2007-08. "A rule that results in longer sentences for offend- Scotia was convicted of cocaine trafficking and The government lost three major cases last month ers who do not obtain bail, compared to otherwise received 1.5 times credit for nine months in pre- at the Supreme Court: the appointment of Justice identical offenders is incompatible with the sentenc- trial custody, which cut his 30-month sentence Nadon to the Supreme Court, prisoner rights and a ing principles of parity and proportionality," she roughly in half. retroactive toughening of parole. wrote for the court. "This is particularly so, given Appeal courts in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec and that vulnerable and impoverished offenders are less Manitoba upheld the judicial practice of routine 1.5 Sean Fine able to access bail. times credit; only British Columbia's, by a 2-1 count, Globe and Mail The law at stake is a centrepiece of the govern- was against it, saying judges need to "honour Par- April 11, 2014

Ashley Smith Case Prompts Brockville, involving a woman who was in prison clude prisoners suffering from psychosis and Prison Pilot Program with Ashley Smith. women who try to harm themselves. She was at risk of dying in prison, Pate said. “She The aim is to treat these women in a hospital set- OTTAWA — A pilot project sparked by the prison was moved to Brockville and went from sometimes ting, not a prison, Blaney said. death of Ashley Smith, which will see more female multiple self-injury (incidents) in a day to one inci- “We realize that sometimes people end up in jail offenders with mental health problems treated in dent in five months.” and this is not the best place for them,” he said at hospitals, is being hailed as a good start, but an “She is now in the community and finished her a news conference. “Probably one of these individu- advocacy group says there many more female sentence.” als is why we are here today,” he added, referring offenders who still need help. In prison she likely would have continued in a to Ashley Smith. Federal Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney an- downward spiral, held in restraints on a regular “This is a health issue, and more of a society and nounced Thursday that two beds at the Brockville basis and being charged with new offences. This social issue than it is a correctional issue,” said Mental Health Centre, and similar beds in Mont- happens with other women, Pate said. Royal CEO George Weber. real, will be offered to women in federal prisons. The pilot project aims to treat women in hospitals Ashley Smith, Some details are still being worked out, and there’s rather than prisons. The Brockville centre is part of The troubled Smith, who had a history of mental no announced finishing date for the pilot. the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group. illness and acting out, choked to death after tying a The project comes as a result of the inquest into Even with the best intentions and corrections offi- piece of cloth around her neck in a segregation cell. the choking death of the 19-year-old Smith, who cers who want to help these women, prisons are The guards, who had been under orders not to died at the Grand Valley Institution in Kitchener in not good places for treatment “because security enter her cell as long as she was breathing, instead plain view of prison guards. and disciplinary measures always trump therapeutic watched and videotaped the incident from outside The national director of the Canadian Federation of needs,” Pate said. her cell door. Elizabeth Fry Societies said Thursday she is pleased The Brockville centre, along with L’Institut Philippe- A coroner’s inquest jury ruled the death a homicide with the program’s launch, but cautioned that a Pinel in Montreal and the East Coast Forensic Hos- and delivered 104 recommendations aimed at small number of beds in a pilot project, which could pital in Dartmouth, N.S., “are part of a concerted improving the operations and accountability of in theory end after a year or two, isn’t a big effort by the Government of Canada to enhance Canada’s correctional system, especially its handling change. the Correctional Service of Canada’s capacity to of female inmates with severe mental illness. “It’s a baby step in the right direction, but it is a effectively and appropriately treat offenders with One of its chief recommendations: Female offend- step,” said Kim Pate. serious mental health needs through agreements ers with severe mental disorders should serve their Evidence shows, “There are between 20 and 30 with provincial health care systems,” the govern- time in secure treatment facilities — not in prisons. women still in these circumstances and still in need ment said in a statement. of mental health services,” she said. The Brockville hospital already has about 100 beds Tom Spears and Andrew Seymour Federal figures show that 29 per cent of women in for people who have been found not criminally Ottawa Citizen federal prisons say they need mental health ser- responsible for offences. May 1, 2014 vices, compared with 13 per cent of men. The two new beds are for women in federal prisons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pate said the re’s been one recent success story at who are severely ill. Doctors say this will likely in-

CELL COUNT #74 - SUMMER 2014 9 PJD - A Brief History ... What to Think About on harmful -- it will punish those who may most need Prisoner's Justice Day the benefit of considering mitigating circumstances. Since 1975, August 10th has been the day officially Mandatory sentencing will further perpetuate over- set aside for prisoners and their supporters to hon- August 10 is International Prisoner's Justice Day -- a crowding inside prisons, and will ignore structural our the memory of those who have died unnatural day now recognized around the world, but which inequities outside of prisons that contribute to pov- deaths in prison. began in Canada 39 years ago. erty and marginalization. Mandatory sentencing On August 10, 1974 a Canadian man, Edward does not permit even consideration of restorative On August 10th, 1974, Eddie Nalon bled to death Nalon, died in the segregation unit of an Ontario justice, since its aim is solely punitive and devoid of in a solitary confinement unit at Millhaven Maxi- prison. The next year and every year since, prison- mitigating considerations both circumstantial and mum Security Prison near Kingston, Ontario when ers across the country observed a day of mourning, root. the emergency call button in his cell failed to work. refusing to eat or to leave their cells, and refusing Inside prisons, we must vigilantly monitor conditions An inquest later found that the call buttons in that to forget the unjust death of Nalon and also of of prisoners. Recent reports have highlighted the unit had been deactivated by the guards. other prisoners. Though deprived of their liberty, increased use of force by guards and the impact of Canadian prisoners have shown they are not de- overcrowded jails for the safety of prisoners and Prisoners at Millhaven marked the anniversary of prived of moral courage and by marking August 10 guards. This must be addressed. Eddie's death by fasting and refusing to work. they stand up for prisoner justice -- and prisoners The goals of incarceration are to protect society and non-prisoners around the world have stood and to rehabilitate offenders to prepare for their By May 1976, the call buttons had not yet been with them. reintegration into society. Such goals should also repaired. Bobby Landers was the next to die in one In Canada, August 10 is an important day to con- drive our responses to prison transfers from Cana- of those cells. With no way to call for help, all he sider how we treat people behind bars, and to dians incarcerated outside of Canada. When for- could do was scribble a note that described the remember the goals of incarceration. It is also a eign governments agree to international prison symptoms of a heart attack. The call for national day for us to ask many questions about our prison transfers of Canadian citizens, we believe the Cana- support went out and Prisoners' Justice Day began. system as a whole, and to assess how some of the dian government should accept these prisoners recent actions of the Canadian government may unless there are objective risks to national security. What started as a one-time event behind the walls affect these conditions. From overcrowded jails and There is no other justifiable "discretion" to deprive of Millhaven Prison has become an international increased use of segregation to refusals to entertain a Canadian citizen for the right to finish serving day of solidarity. On this day, prisoners around the prisoners' transfers, our practices toward prisoners time in Canada when a foreign government has world fast, refuse to work, and remain in their cells may need to be properly evaluated. agreed to the transfer, because the prisoner still while supporters organize community events to In Canada, punishment is imposed upon a finding has the legal right under the Charter to "enter his draw public attention to the conditions inside pris- of guilt after judicial process. When the punishment or her own country." Secondly, when the jail sen- ons. for a crime is incarceration -- as opposed to a fine tence abroad is completed, a Canadian citizen has ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ or a suspended sentence -- this means that the the constitutional right to re-enter Canada, so it The Ghosts of Kingston Penitentiary prisoner is punished for crime through the depriva- makes practical sense to allow Canadians to finish tion of his or her liberty. Liberty is the right upon serving prison sentences inside Canadian prisons -- Kingston Penitentiary has closed its doors at last which true self-determination and full enjoyment of enabling access to rehabilitation programs, visits Though some believe the ghosts remain other fundamental rights, is predicated. In other from family or friends, and close to the cultures and From its evil and sordid past words, the deprivation of liberty is, in itself, the society into which they will eventually reintegrate. Built in the 18th century, a marvel of its time punishment. Society and the individual will benefit, in cases of A sadist’s ingenuity meant for the heinous of crimes The suffering inherent in that punishment should foreign prison transfers of Canadian citizens, from Its concept demanded pure punishment not be unjustly aggravated. Yet, when placed the "transition time" inside a Canadian prison. And the gaoler’s hand was fierce "behind bars" a person is immediately placed into a Finally, we should be concerned on this day about A society within itself reduced the hardest man to situation of powerlessness and dependency, and recent reports of Canadian officials favouring CSIS's tears therefore exposed to possible cruel, inhuman, de- use, in exceptional circumstances, of information Violence was acceptable as ‘tools of the trade’ grading treatment or punishment and even torture. procured from torture. The international legal pro- No mercy for the prisoner as the gaoler’s point was While the deprivation of liberty may be legal, the hibition against torture is absolute even to fight made deprivation of human dignity is not. In Canada, our terrorism or drug trafficking and it protects every- The convict’s role, subservient, their punishment Charter of Rights and Freedoms prohibits cruel and one. was declared ‘humane’ unusual punishment, and we have ratified the Inter- Canadian and international human rights law They broke their spirits and their minds national Convention Against Torture. deems illegal information procured from torture. And drove many a man insane Many prison conditions worldwide are deplorable Information procured from torture contaminates Amidst all of the chaos, the inmates took a stand and far worse than Canadian conditions. But Cana- the legal system and the moral fabric of the socie- A time for prisoners justice against their keeper’s dian prisons still have serious problems, including ties that tolerate such treatment and its fruits. evil hand for example the overuse of segregation of the men- While security and counter-terrorism are serious Some men lived, some men died tally ill. International prisoner standards recognize valid objectives, they cannot justify torture and the Their legacy lived on in their memory, August 10 th that segregation should not be used except in the conflation of 'security' with a supposed need for ‘Prisoners Justice Day’ was born most justifiable circumstances or else it will only 'torture information', is a harmful syllogism. Now the door’s are closed at Kingston unduly aggravate suffering and harm. The CCLA This August 10, CCLA recognizes the rights of pris- But within the walls remain has intervened in the inquest of the death of Ashley oners in Canada to humane treatment and to re- The ghosts of Kingston, doing time Smith, who committed suicide after her pleas for spect for their human dignity. Forever, there detained help were ignored, and who had been subject to many periods of segregation. Sukanya Pillay Kenneth Whitman The CCLA is also concerned about overcrowding, Canadian Civil Liberties Association In memory of the men and women who have lost and the disproportionately high incarceration of Huffington Post - Aug 10, 2012 their lives while in the custody of our prisons. particularly marginalized groups in society including ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ aboriginal people. As Canadians we must investi- Power is always insolent and despotic. gate, identify, and rectify the root causes of these Fighting crime by building more jails is like fighting - Noah Web ster conditions. cancer by building more cemeteries. In this regard, we believe mandatory sentencing is - Paul Kelly

10 SUMMER 2014 - CELL COUNT #74

PRISONERS' JUSTICE DAY IS... determination. ...the day to remind people that the criminal justice ...the day to raise public awareness of the demands system and the psychiatric system are mutually ...August 10, the day prisoners have set aside as a made by prisoners to change the criminal justice reinforcing methods that the state uses to control day to fast and refuse to work in a show of solidar- system and the brutal and inhumane conditions that human beings. There is a lot of brutality by staff ity to remember those who have died unnecessarily lead to so many prison deaths. committed in the name of treatment. Moreover, - victims of murder, suicide and neglect. ...the day to oppose prison violence, police violence, many deaths in the psych-prisons remain uninvesti- ...the day when organizations and individuals in the and violence against women and children. gated. community hold demonstrations, vigils, worship ...the day to publicize that, in their fight for freedom services and other events in common resistance and equality, the actions of many political prisoners ABOLISH DOUBLE BUNKING with prisoners. have been criminalized by government. As a result, ABOLISH 25 YEAR SENTENCES ...the day to raise issue with the fact that a very there are false claims that there are no political ABOLISH SOLITARY CONFINEMENT high rate of women are in prison for protecting prisoners in north american prisons. ABOLISH INVOLUNTARY TRANSFERS themselves against their abusers. This makes it ...the day to raise public awareness of the economic ABOLISH INTEGRATION OF PC PRISONERS obvious that the legal system does not protect and social costs of a system of criminal justice which INTO GENERAL POPULATION women who suffer violence at the hands of their punishes for revenge. If there is ever to be social ABOLISH PRISONS partners. justice, it will only come about using a model of ...is the day to remember that there are a dispro- healing justice, connecting people to the crimes and August 10, 2014 marks 39 years of portionate number of Natives, African-Canadians helping offenders take responsibility for their ac- Prisoners' Justice Day and other minorities and marginalized people in tions. ...the day to renew the struggle for HIV/AIDS & Prisoners' Justice Day Committee prisons. Prisons are the ultimate form of oppression against struggles of recognition and self- HCV education, prevention and treatment in prison. Vancouver - [email protected]

CELL COUNT #74 - SUMMER 2014 11 ‘These guys have to get out’: as overcrowding and double-bunking. ming.” Prison Guards Union to Earlier this month, Auditor General Michael Fergu- The union also takes issue with changes to the Campaig n Against Conservatives son reported that some of Canada’s prisons are Canada Labour Code introduced in last year’s om- already operating over-capacity, and a planned nibus budget bill. OTTAWA - The union representing Canada’s prison expansion will leave them overcrowded again in a The changes shrink the definition of danger to guards is gearing up to campaign against the law- few years. exclude potential hazards and “future activity” and and-order Harper government in the next election. “We’re reaching crisis proportions in terms of dou- gives more discretion over health and safety to the For the first time in 15 years, the union will urge its ble-bunking, and [the government] just completely minister. 7,500 members to vote ABC – Anything but Con- ignores all the research,” said Godin. Godin said the government has yet to consult with servative. The government begs to differ. the union on major changes since becoming a ma- “These guys have to get out,” said Jason Godin, A spokesman for Public Safety Minister Steven jority in 2011. national vice-president at the Union of Canadian Blaney cites statements from CSC Commissioner “When they get tough on crime, they get tough on Correctional Officers. Don Head saying there is no link between violence correctional officers,” said Godin. “They’ve done more damage in three years than and double bunking. “At the same time they’re making our working any government has done in our entire history.” “Studies show that double-bunking does not have conditions get more dangerous, they’re gutting the Although the union’s constitution forbids the guards any link to violence. It doesn’t take a social scientist Canada Labour Code, which is the most important from endorsing political parties, Godin said he will to see that those behind bars for violent crimes piece of protection that we have.” be encouraging his members to vote against Prime may behave violently,” Jean-Christophe de La Rue Godin said in the long run, it is Canadians who will Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives in 2015. wrote in an email. suffer. “We will be actively gearing up to campaign But the study also found that while double-bunking “In ten years time, Canadians are gonna go, ‘Oh against the Harper government,” he said. in the Prairie region more than doubled to 27 per my God what just happened?’ Because all of those “We’re going to be going right into their ridings. cent in July 2012 from 12 per cent in people they’re putting in jail, guess what? 80 per We’ll be very visible, we’ll be challenging them up 2009; incident rates increased by 70 per cent cent of them are going to get out.” front.” during the same period. It also says that “crowding The union’s complaints stem from what it claims affects the level of stress experienced by the of- Laura Stone are increasingly dangerous working conditions such fender and reduces the availability of program- Global News - May 26, 2014

Ottawa ‘Delisting’ Hospital Beds see people held in more prison beds with fewer Ottawa Jail Complaints Still at Prison Treatment Facilities mental health options.” 3rd Highest in Ontario In theory, sick inmates should have equal access to The federal government plans to “delist” psychiatric medical care regardless of their bed’s designation. 416 complaints in 2013-14, up from 389 com- beds in its prison treatment facilities, designating But in practice, the removal of that special designa- plaints in 2012-13, according to ombudsman them as more general beds for housing inmates. tion is taking place in institutions that are already Correctional officers at the Ottawa jail forced an Correctional Service of Canada says it’s reviewing the deadliest federal prisons in the country, as a inmate to walk back to his cell after he broke his the way it provides mental health care to inmates Global News investigation revealed previously. leg, and repeatedly told him to "shut up" when he whose complex needs Ottawa admits are over- Inmates are more likely to die or be assaulted in complained about the pain in January whelming the country’s federal prisons. these specialized treatment centres than anywhere 2013, according to the Ontario ombudsman's an- “It is possible that this realignment will include the else – by a long shot. nual report. ‘delisting’ of beds,” spokesperson Sara Parkes said Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney announced a It was one of 416 complaints against the Ottawa- in an email. “This would mean the re-allocation of new strategy for inmates with mental illness last Carleton Detention Centre in 2013-14, up from funding previously designated for hospital care to month. He also said the government is embarking 389 complaints in 2012-13. The Ottawa jail had provide support at the intermediate level.” on a two-bed pilot project at a Brockville, ON facil- the third highest number of complaints, according This could mean a couple of things: It could mean ity that’s been calling for years on the federal and to both reports. easier transitions for inmates who withdraw con- Ontario governments to establish a specialized Ombusdsman André Marin detailed in his report sent to treatment (and haven’t been deemed inca- program for women offenders with serious mental how the man only filed a complaint "once he was pable of making that decision), who might other- illness. out of jail and no longer feared reprisal." wise have to transfer facilities entirely. But at the same time, the government has also The man slipped and fell in January 2013 in a spot “The net result,” of the services review, Parkes said been cutting nursing hours at many of its prisons, where "staff had neglected to put up a 'wet floor' in a previous email, “will be that services will be causing concern among corrections officers and the warning sign," the report detailed. better aligned to the needs of the inmate popula- prison watchdog alike about who’ll call the shots Though his femur bone was broken, correctional tion, and will allow inmates to transition down to when it comes to inmate medical care, who’ll en- staff ignored his protest that he could not walk, the the most appropriate level of care when they need sure inmates take their medication correctly and report said. A nurse checked his leg and prescribed it.” what quality of treatment they’ll get. him an ice pack, the report said. But removing beds’ psychiatric or hospital designa- NDP Public Safety critic Randall Garrison said he’s A scene was also captured on video on the jail's tion could mean changes to treatment or access to worried about the cuts in nursing hours, and pessi- internal cameras that showed staff carrying him resources, or an institution’s medical staffing re- mistic about the government’s promise to respond down the stairs in a wheelchair, "allowing it to quirements, which tend to be dictated by the num- to last fall’s Ashley Smith inquest recommendations bump hard against each stair," the report said. ber of hospital beds. this coming December. Five former OCDC inmates recently filed a $3.5 “If they’re delisting beds there but contracting with “Obviously we have an ongoing problem and action million lawsuit against the province for alleged beds in the community, so people could be leaving is really needed,” he said. “I’m not predicting abuses at the jail in April 2012. the prison and go into hospital beds, that would be deaths or violence but should that happen, the The Central East Correctional Centre had the high- positive,” said Kim Pate, Executive Director of the government’s going to be responsible for that.” est number of complaints in 2013-2014 at 532, Elizabeth Fry Society. followed by the Central North Correctional Centre But she doesn’t think that’s the plan. “If that were Anna Mehler Paperny at 430. part of the plan, they would be announcing it.” Global News “It could mean already scarce resources would be June 5, 2014 Chloe Fedio made all the mroe scarce and it could mean we ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CBC News - Jun 23, 2014

12 SUMMER 2014 - CELL COUNT #74

Canada’s Psychiatric Prisons have out with a “Mental Health Action Plan” that in- fenders deemed not criminally responsible makes Highest Death, Assault Rates cludes, for the first time, participation in a plan defence lawyers more likely to take their chances that’s been on offer for years to house women with a traditional prison system that can’t handle Offenders are more likely to die or be violently inmates with serious mental illness in a specialized them and where they won’t get proper treatment. attacked in a psychiatric prison than any other provincial facility. And when their sentences are up they’ll be released federal institution – by a long shot. Funny thing is, Corrections Canada already had a into the community, often no less likely to offend The people in these specialized facilities – in B.C., mental health strategy - one it unveiled in 2010. than when they first went behind bars (and some- Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec – are the most “CSC has been working on implementing that times much more so). vulnerable and problematic in a prison system 2010 strategy ever since 2010,” says prison watch- People with mental illness who’ve gone through the already overflowing with mental illness. dog Howard Sapers. “So there’s not a bunch new traditional prison system are twice as likely to com- And numbers obtained by Global News through an in this except the fact that the minister has made a mit more crimes on release than their psychologi- access to information request indicate they’re dis- point of saying, This is what we’re doing.’ And that cally healthy counterparts, says Alberta-based law- proportionately subject to violence and death in the creates a different level of accountability.” yer and psychiatrist Patrick Baillie. institutions supposedly designed to care for them Sapers called Thursday’s announcement “a good Ottawa knows this is a problem: Internal Public best. first step” but can’t help wondering: Why such a Safety memos obtained by Global News acknowl- Saskatoon’s Regional Psychiatric Centre boasts limited endorsement of a plan to put more inmates edge the crisis of mental illness in Canada’s prisons more assaults and deaths than any other federal with serious mental illness in specialized care, when – there are too many, with problems too complex, prison, even before you take population into ac- that plan’s been on offer for years? Why not abol- for the system to deal with. count. The treatment centre attached to now- ish solitary confinement for these troubled offend- But the man in charge won’t talk about it. shuttered Kingston Penitentiary is close behind, as is ers if we know it only makes their condition worse? Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney refused to a treatment centre in Abbotsford, B.C. Just as irksome, he says, is that Corrections Canada speak with Global News for this story. Three of the top 10 prisons for inmate deaths has been delaying its response to concerns he After two months of back-and-forth, his spokesper- between January, 2008 and March, 2013 are raised a year ago, promising to address them when son said, psychiatric prisons - the Saskatoon Regional Psychi- it responds to recommendations from the Ashley “It is not a practise for the Minister of Public Safety atric Centre, Ontario Regional Treatment Centre Smith inquest – in December, 2014. to comment on CSC operations. Therefore the and Pacific Regional Treatment Centre - with an On one hand, it makes sense that the system’s interview is not possible.” average number of deaths almost double other top sickest, most erratic individuals are more likely to In a separate statement, Corrections Canada said it institutions. die or become involved in violent encounters. “takes the death of an inmate very seriously. In all Factoring for prison population, inmates were But the problem, physicians and advocates argue, is cases where an individual dies while in custody, the 260% more likely to die in the Ontario Regional that despite these institutions’ extra medical re- police and coroner are called in to investigate.” Treatment Centre than in Kingston Penitentiary sources – and additional cost of $50,000 a year Blaney did address the issue in a press confer- next door. per inmate, compared to maximum-security institu- ence May 1, saying Corrections Canada is “very (In the vast majority of cases we received, the tions – they’re still more prisons than hospitals. well aware” of the issue and plans to get more cause of death was categorized as “Other.”) Their first responders are correctional guards seriously ill inmates into more medical facilities. This is where Corrections Canada sends its sickest, who’ve taken a two-day workshop on mental ill- most vulnerable inmates – the ones they can’t deal ness, not health-care practitioners with certification Anna Mehler Paperny with anywhere else. and years of expertise. Global News “The system has no other place to – call it what it And they still put inmates in solitary confinement May 1, 2014 is – to warehouse them,” says Don Worme, a even though the harm this does to people with ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saskatoon-based lawyer who has represented many mental illness has been documented and is driv- inmates at the Regional Psychiatric Centre. ing drastic policy changes south of the border. I guess, in some ways, one could say that we have “I think we should be horrified as a society that this There are alternatives: Ottawa and Ontario have a free press. It's free from any accuracy, journalistic sort of thing persists,” he said. spent years sitting on an offer to help female in- integrity and investigative talent. “The public ought to be asking for answers.” mates with serious mental illness in the same kind - W. David Jenkins III New strategy ‘ a good first step’ of institution that’s working with their male counter- After a months-long investigation during which parts. This week, Corrections Canada made a pre- Fascism should more properly be called corpora- Corrections Canada refused access to any of these liminary move to implement it. tism, since it is the merger of state and corporate psychiatric institutions or their directors, and after A recidivism revolving door power. Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney refused to Canada’s crisis of mentally ill inmates is set to - Benito Mussolini speak to Global News on the issue, he has come worsen if federal legislation cracking down on of-

CELL COUNT #74 - SUMMER 2014 13 In crisis: Why are police apprehending getting shot and killed,” she said. mental health file. He said police were experiencing more mentally ill people? Some advocates say the rising number of Mental a rising number of calls about what they term Health Act apprehensions may be a good sign: “emotionally disturbed persons” — about 20,000 Mental Health Act apprehensions have skyrocketed where officers may have previously arrested people such calls in 2011. over the past two decades, sparking alarming ques- suffering from an emotional crisis and taken them Federico said there is more awareness of mental tions about community services for the mentally ill. to jail, perhaps now they are better trained to rec- health disorders in society and thus more people Toronto police are apprehending more people than ognize the signs of a mental illness and are taking are seeking help for themselves or loved ones. But ever before and taking them to hospital under those people to hospital instead. many calls to police would be better responded to mental health legislation, according to data ob- Barry Swadron, a civil rights lawyer who wrote the by community agencies or mental health profes- tained exclusively by the Star. 1967 Mental Health Act, and who represented the sionals, he said. Mental Health Act apprehensions in the city have family of Jeffrey Munro, a mentally ill man killed by “I’m not going to tell people, ‘Don’t call police,’ ” he skyrocketed over the past two decades — from another inmate while housed in the psychiatric unit said. “But if it’s a situation where a person is strug- 520 in 1997 to 8,441 in 2013, raising questions of the Don Jail, said he was encouraged by the gling and feeling more anxious and looking for a re- about community services for people with mental statistics, to a certain extent. introduction into a stream of care, that would be illness. “If (people with mental illness) are acting in a disor- much better handled (by) somebody other than the Advocates say changes in the legislation and derly manner, you can be sure that there’s some police.” chronic funding problems in the mental health crime they could be charged with. But to take them Toronto police are trained to speak to people with system are prompting increased encounters be- directly to a psychiatric facility where they’re going mental illness calmly and to offer to help. But their tween police and people with mental illness, which to be examined is a far more humane approach,” options are limited: they can refer someone to a can end in tragedy. he said. community service, apprehend them under the “I absolutely think that the underfunding has led to Ontario’s mental health funding has declined since Mental Health Act or walk away because they have police seeing more people with mental health prob- the 1970s, from 11.3 per cent of health care fund- no authority to act, Federico said. lems and crises than they ought to,” said Dr. Vicky ing to 7 per cent. This is less than the national He called it a “truism” that the best way to prevent Stergiopoulos, psychiatrist-in-chief at St. Michael’s average of 7.2 per cent, and significantly less than lethal encounters between police and people with Hospital. the target of 9 per cent recommended by the Men- mental illness is to avoid those interactions in the “I think it’s a direct reflection not only of the under- tal Health Commission of Canada in its national first place. funding, because you can throw a lot of money at a strategy on mental health in 2012. “Sadly, we will be called where a situation is now system that’s broken and it’s not going to fix it. I Some high-income countries, including the U.K. and out of control. When we look back upon the indi- think we need a complete redesign of services.” Sweden, invest more than 10 per cent of their vidual’s history, we can easily identify intervention Ontario’s Mental Health Act allows police to take health budget on mental health services, wrote points. The problem is, does the community have people to hospital if they pose a risk to themselves Steve Lurie, executive director of the Canadian the capacity to intervene at that point?” he asked. or to others, or are unable to care for themselves. Mental Health Association’s Toronto branch, in a A recent inquest into the police shooting deaths of The provincial act was last updated in 2000, with recent report. three mentally ill people — Michael Eligon, 29; the controversial Brian’s Law, named for sports- “A lack of funding is actually a structural represen- Reyal Jardine-Douglas, 25; and Sylvia Klibingaitis, caster Brian Smith, who was killed by a man suffer- tation of stigma. It’s the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ 52, recommended, among other things, that police ing severe mental illness. phenomenon. This isn’t a big enough priority,” Lurie stop automatically handcuffing people taken into The law expanded police powers and responsibili- said in an interview. custody under the Mental Health Act. Advocates ties in a number of ways. Advocates say that community mental health ser- say handcuffing people shames them and makes For one, police are no longer required to observe vices are crucial to keeping people out of hospital. them feel like criminals. the person’s disturbed behaviour firsthand. These services include, for example, the Gerstein When asked about this recommendation, however, It also created “community treatment orders,” Centre in Toronto, which offers supportive counsel- Federico said that officers only handcuff people which compel people to take medication or face ling, telephone support, community visits and a ten- when necessary. This came as a surprise to Jennifer being apprehended by police and taken back to bed, short-stay residence. Chambers, director of the Empowerment Council. hospital. But currently, these kinds of services are often “That’s not what they’re telling clients,” she said. Anita Szigeti, a lawyer with the Empowerment difficult to reach, plagued by long wait lists and “Clients say, ‘The police told me they have to hand- Council, an advocacy group representing people chronic under-funding. Further, there is a dire need cuff everybody.’ … I haven’t heard of anyone who’s who have accessed psychiatric services, said the for supportive housing and more employment ser- not been handcuffed. Perhaps I haven’t met them.” impetus for Brian’s Law was to intervene sooner, vices, said Stergiopoulos. She said she was concerned by the increasing num- when a person’s mental state first starts to deterio- “You can provide all the care you want, if some- ber of involuntary hospitalizations under the Mental rate. But no new in-patient psychiatric beds have body is homeless, it’s not going to help them very Health Act. been added. much,” she said. “If you look at who the frequent “The answer to people being distraught is not insti- “Who’s not in that bed is the person who wants to users are of services, a lot of them are poor, experi- tutionalizing them. There’s so much evidence to be admitted, who knows they’ve decompensated, ence social disadvantage and housing instability. show that isn’t necessary. Instead, you need to start who is feeling like they’re going to hurt themselves We need to look at all the contributors to this.” with social determinants of health and good com- or hurt someone else,” Szigeti said. “Those people David Jensen, spokesperson for the Ministry of munity supports.” can’t get a bed, because all the beds are taken up Health and Long-Term Care, said the province by people who don’t want to be there,” and who in released a 10-year mental health and addictions Laura Kane fact may pose no risk to anyone, she said. strategy in 2011.The first three years of the strat- Toronto Star Szigeti said community treatment orders were egy focused on children and youth, with funding of June 1, 2014 supposed to be reserved for the most chronically $93 million. An additional $65 million was pro- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ unwell people, about 250 across the province. posed in the 2014 budget. Now, there are at least 5,000 of those orders im- The province also doubled spending on community When the ice on the razor wire starts to look posed on people who don’t necessarily need them mental health over the past decade, from $399 pretty, you’ve been in prison too long. and who would be compliant with medical orders million in 2003 to $810 million in 2013, said Jen- - Trish anyway, she said. sen. (This still represents a small fraction of overall “I don’t know what, if anything, the legislation has increased health spending.) I postpone death by living, by suffering, by error, by done to help. All it’s really done is exponentially Deputy Chief Michael Federico, a 40-year veteran risking, by giving, by losing. increase contact with the police, and people are of the Toronto police, has taken leadership of the - Anais Nin

14 SUMMER 2014 - CELL COUNT #74 Don’t Give Up! My Second Chance Untitled

The times wh en I hurt deep inside Before I didn’t even know me A war rages behind these walls Is when no one seems to care Always drunk & too blind to see Feelings & fears that cage us I scream & throw a tantrum Now here I sit in a cell Enrage us Repeating, ‘It’s not fair’ A prisoner of my own hell Wanting to be free But when I sit & take a look Dying to be me I see me push away the ones I was full of anger & denial I say don’t seem to care The judge of my own trial Fallen Angel It’s me that walks away Didn’t realize all the hurts I had ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I need to learn to listen I thought, fuck it & stayed mad Contemplation And ask when I need help To prove that I can do it Here I sit at GVI pen Over here the days are nice & cloudy, rainy I owe it to myself Looking at women who will sit here for the next ten Going by nice and slow So please I ask, be patient I realized I had changes to make I have a window in my cell & I can see out Please take your time with me I now see the new road of life I have to take So nice And help me be more simple Reminds me that there’s a world out there As I walk this path I lead! This would be my ultimate test And if I’m good, it’ll be my turn again See if I can put those hurts to rest At a certain point Jody Duczminski I’m determined & very prepared I want to make the best of this time ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All my life I didn’t realize that people really cared And not loose my mind & go crazier Untitled Which I have at times Family, staff, inmates & friends Now there’s for me, Insanity All helping my heart slowly mend Make a good day, a good night Is it vanity I’m glad I opened my eyes & seen And not a bad day, a problem Are you a spiel How deep, broken & confused I had been I’m just trying my hardest Or is it real To do good and stay firm to my sentence Do you want to get high? I finally have the ability to go forward With the hope to a new release to my life It’ll cost you a lie A future to which I look toward Trying to look at the pretty things Skip a rope Today I can proudly say For what they’re worth There’s always hope From here on out, nothing will stand in my way And not diminish their value

Robert Ulok Michelle Richer Martin Denarvaez ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Road to Nowhere On the Run Without You

I was on the Road to Nowhere An evil place Without you, here I stumble I travelled it for awhile In limited space To rid of all the pain Now I’m getting back to where I started Nothing but codes & silence I front to show I’m happy Reversing each and every mile But still it’s not the same It’s hard 2 forget I can’t rewind & start again Walkin’ through an inner abyss What we can’t regret For life is not that way With nothing to confound Living in cold & violence But if I could I would rewind I did a lot of introspection on myself Way before your life’s last day It’s scary what I found Darkness & pain I know I hurt you very much I still feel the same In ways which weren’t right I’ve been known to self-destruct Waitin’ 2 change the chapter I wish I would have listened There’s a pattern I must break And kept my goals in sight If I gain control of my emotions Lock’d up in a cell Cuz now you’re gone, I miss you so From this nightmare I will wake No different from hell I wish you never left Not knowing just what I’ve been after At least you will not suffer more Fixin’ this shit won’t be easy Dad, you are the best! Anything worth while's gotta be hard I’m scared on my own But I’ve taken beatings in the past Hate being alone Jody Duczminski My body’s been battered and scared Searching for some better days ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ E.M.D.C. Time’s a healer of all old wounds But they’ll never come And I think I finally got it right Always on the run Everything I ain’t lookin’ over my shoulder Cuz I don’t know any other way! Depends upon a ‘Cause the Road to Nowhere’s out of sight Red-tailed hawk Chayne Lafantaisie Floating against a blue sky Smitty 13-1/2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Above the green lawn ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Of a jail in the warm I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world October sun Night time is really the best time to work. All the by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and ideas are there to be yours because everyone else is kick ass. W. Ray asleep. - Maya Angelou ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - Catherine O'Hara

CELL COUNT #74 - SUMMER 2014 15

- 10 MYTHS ABOUT HIV - MYTH #5 HIV can remain dormant in a person’s body for an indefinite period of time.

No. HIV does not “stay dormant” inside a person’s body. The reason why it can take up to 12 weeks to show up in a test is not because it is dormant; it is because the test is for antibodies, which can take up to 12 weeks to appear. If you have had a high risk activity related to HIV trans- mission (sharing needles for shooting up or unprotected anal or vaginal sex), then you wait for 12 weeks without any other high risk activity and you test negative, then you are HIV-negative. There is no risk of HIV suddenly appearing later on due to that incident.

MYTH #6 You get AIDS from touching or hugging someone with AIDS.

No. HIV is not spread by hugs, touches, massages or kisses. Transmis- sion cannot take place through any of the activities listed because HIV is transmitted by blood, semen and vaginal fluids that get into your blood- stream. If you know someone with HIV infection, that person needs support. A hug is a wonderful way to show that you care.

MYTH #1 MYTH #7 You can contract HIV from a mosquito or any other insect. Urine can transmit HIV.

No. In order for this to happen, a mosquito would first have to bite an No. Urine does not transmit HIV. Exposure to urine without visible infected person. Then the mosquito would have to do one of two things: blood in it does not place you at risk at all. For the average person, the 1) Immediately travel to someone else and infect that person from a few times to be concerned about HIV are during sex without condoms or tiny drops of infected blood left on the stinger; 2) Process the virus in its sharing equipment for injecting drugs. saliva and inject it into the next person. Mosquitoes do neither of these things. They do not travel from one person to the next. They do not MYTH #8 carry enough blood on their sucker to infect anyone else they bite. And Transmission is less possible if two condoms are used during sex. they do not process the virus in their saliva. Once inside a mosquito, the virus only lives for a short time. Thus, the saliva mosquitoes inject into Not true. Don’t double up those condoms. Two condoms together people cannot have HIV. The same inability to transmit HIV holds true cause friction and breakage. It is much better to use one condom cor- for other sucking or biting insects. Insect bites do not spread HIV. rectly. Correct, consistent condom use prevents HIV, STI’s and preg- nancy. It only takes one condom to do the job. Remember to use a wa- MYTH #2 ter-based lubricant with all latex condoms to prevent breakage. If you You can get HIV from someone’s saliva. have an allergy to latex, try using poly-urethane condoms and/or the Insertive condom. Avoid “natural skin” and lambskin condoms, they are No. There are no documented cases of saliva transmitting HIV. There is not effective protection for HIV or any other sexually transmitted infec- not enough concentration of HIV in saliva to transmit the virus. After tions. As well, avoid products containing nonoxynol-9, this can cause several studies involving several hundred family members and friends of vaginal and anal walls to become irritated and more prone to sexually people with AIDS, scientists have yet to find a single case of HIV infec- transmitted infections. tion caused by casual contact or exposure to the saliva of an infected person. MYTH #9 Everyone who is HIV positive will die of AIDS. MYTH #3 If I live with someone with HIV, I can get AIDS. No. This has never been true, and certainly has no place in the discus- sions of people living with HIV today. New treatments are constantly No. HIV cannot be casually transmitted. You can share food, utensils, being developed allowing many people to live healthier and more func- phones, showers, dishes, clothes or toilets (to name a few) without risk. tional lives indefinitely. Most treatments can lower a person’s viral load If you are not engaging in risk activities (i.e. unprotected sex or sharing to an undetectable level. As knowledge about HIV increases, more op- needles) you can’t get HIV from someone from living with them. tions are becoming available to manage HIV and live longer and with less symptoms. MYTH #4 HIV can be spread by sharing a cigarette or pipe. MYTH #10 HIV is a gay disease. No. The only body fluids that transmit HIV are blood, semen, pre- seminal fluid (pre-cum), vaginal secretions and breast milk to an infant. It No. All of us are at risk for getting HIV from unsafe sex, needle-sharing is transmitted by unprotected vaginal and anal sex and blood to blood and other modes of blood to blood contact. HIV does not discriminate, contact (i.e. sharing needles.) There is some speculative evidence that it is contracted through activity, not identity. In fact, heterosexual HIV may be spread by oral sex, however that assertion remains un- women of color represent the fastest growing segment contracting HIV proven, but again, HIV cannot be spread by sharing a cigarette or a joint in North America. with someone.

16 SUMMER 2014 - CELL COUNT #74 Getting tested ment. You can’t start treatment in a provincial - I’M A LIVER & A FIGHTER! - In federal institutions, hep C antibody testing is institution, but if you feel comfortable with prison offered on admission. In federal and provincial, you health care, you can try to get your testing done Presenting: Hep C Basics can request hep C testing at any time. If you have and connect with a specialist or treatment team in a short sentence or an upcoming release date, you preparation for your release. What is hepatitis C? may decide to get tested in the community. Either In most provinces and territories, if you get income Hepatitis C is a virus that lives in the blood. Hep C way, learn about your options for managing your support benefits like disability or welfare, you can infects liver cells and causes liver damage - inflam- health and getting info & support for hep C. apply to have the cost of medications covered. The mation, scarring, fibrosis and sometimes cirrhosis. A hep C antibody test checks to see if you’ve ever Non-Insured Health Benefits program may cover After many years some people can get very sick as come into contact with hep C. A positive antibody treatment costs for registered First Nations and the liver becomes damaged. There is no vaccine for test result means that you have come into contact recognized Inuit peoples. hep C, but you can get tested and for many people, with hep C at some point. treatment serves as a cure. Treatment Options If you get a positive result, know what The goal of hep C treatment is to get rid of the hep How does someone get hep C? test to ask for next! C virus from your body. If the virus has been By blood-to-blood contact: if someone’s hep C posi- About 20-25% of people clear the hep C virus on cleared, then the treatment worked. This is known tive blood gets into your bloodstream. Particular their own, but they will always test positive on the as sustained virological response (SVR) and is con- activities are risky for hep C transmission. It’s im- antibody test. Hep C antibodies stay in your blood sidered a cure. portant to know that hep C can survive in dried even when the virus has been cleared. If you have a The standard treatment for hep C is a com ­ blood outside the body for at least four days and positive result, you need to take the second test to bination of two medications, peg-interferon and inside an enclosed space like a syringe for weeks. find out if the virus is still in your body. The second ribavirin. In 2011, two new antiretroviral drugs, Unlike HIV, the hep C virus can survive in fluids like test is called a PCR test, a viral load test, or an boceprevir (Victrelis) and telaprevir (Incivek) be- water or tattoo ink. RNA test. A negative result from the virus test came available in Canada. These medications are means you do not have hep C. A positive result used only in people with genotype 1 hep C virus. Ways people can get hep C means that you have hep C. People take only one of these medications in combi- Likely transmission: The test will tell you how much virus you have in nation with peg-interferon and ribavirin. ◊ Sharing drug-use equipment: gear that has your blood and what genotype (family) your virus is already been used by someone else who has in. There are 6 genotypes of hep C virus: HCV 1, 2, Peg-interferon hep C—not just needles and syringes, but also 3, 4, 5 and 6. The genotypes respond differently to This is a form of a protein used to fight viruses in filters, cookers, alcohol swabs, ties, acidifiers treatment and this is good for you to know so you your body. It is a weekly injection. (like lemon juice or vitamin C), water, pipes can decide if you want to go for treatment. PASAN and straws & CATIE have resources on hep C testing. Ribavirin, boceprevir and telaprevir ◊ Reusing tools and jewellery used for tattooing If you test positive you should get post-test counsel- These drugs interfere with the virus and improve or body piercing. Anything that has come in ling to learn about hep C transmission, prevention, the effectiveness of treatment. They do not work to and treatment options. In federal, all counselling is contact with blood should be considered con- clear the hep C virus by them­selves. Ribavirin is done by CSC health care staff. Depending on which taminated, including the needle, ink, inkwell, taken as a pill twice a day. Boceprevir or telaprevir provincial institution you’re in, counselling may be gloves, tattoo gun, and any towels used to are taken as pills, two to three times a day. wipe the ink and blood from the skin and provided by institutional health care or by someone The treatments can have side effects so you will work area during tattooing or piercing from the local Public Health Unit. need to visit with health care during treatment to ◊ Having received a blood transfusion, blood check your health. You will also need blood tests products or a transplant before 1992 You’ve tested positive for the hep C virus. What next???? during treat­ment and six months after treatment is Possibility of transmission: If you are interested in treatment, ask health care if finished to see if the virus is gone from your body. ◊ Getting accidentally stuck with a needle that there is an infectious disease nurse or doctor you After successful treatment, it is important to avoid has been used by a person who has hep C can talk to about test results and treatment op- re-infection. You can never become immune to hep ◊ Sharing/borrowing hygiene items that could tions. The following tests can help you make deci- C, there is no vaccine yet, and you could get re- have blood on them, like razors, nail clippers sions about treatment and show how well your liver infected with the same strain or a different strain of and toothbrushes. Also, rinsing your razor in is working. hep C virus! If treatment does not work, you can water that has been used by someone else for Liver function tests measure the levels of liver- make certain changes to your life to stay healthy shaving produced enzymes and proteins in your blood. High and reduce liver damage. ◊ The risk of getting hep C through sex is low. levels could be caused by hep C, but also could be But the chances of transmission go up if you caused by things like alcohol, drugs, toxins or other Want more information & support on have condomless sex, especially if you have viruses. Liver function tests give a snapshot of how hep C testing and treatment? sex where blood might be involved such as well your liver is working at the time. Ultrasounds rough sex, anal sex, or sex during a woman’s take a picture of your liver to see if there is liver PASAN - Toll-free from Federal 1-866-224- period. If you or your partner has open sores damage. 9978, or Collect 416-920-9567, Mon-Fri 9-5, EST. or a sexually transmitted infection like herpes, A liver biopsy uses a needle to take a sample of CATIE - Toll-free from Federal 1-800-263-1638 there is a greater risk of getting/giving hep C your liver to check for damage. Fibroscans are or Collect 416-203-7122, Mon-Thurs, 10-6, EST. during sex. advanced ultrasounds that measure liver damage. Have a question or experience with hep C testing You cannot get hep C from casual contact such as Getting Treatment or treatment that you want to share? Write to us sharing food, hugging, kissing, touching, exercising If you were on hep C treatment before you went at I’m a Liver & a Fighter. All letters stay anony- with, or sharing space with someone who has hep to prison, you have the right to continue treatment mous unless you say otherwise. C! If you have any questions about hep C transmis- while in provincial or federal prison. In a federal sion or think you may have been exposed to hep C, institution, you will need to get a prison doctor or by Annika, Stephanie, and Hep C Program vol- please send us a letter or give us a call. specialist to prescribe the treatment medications. unteer, Kristy, with thanks to CATIE for re- Some federal prisons have other prisoners who can sources! talk to you about health issues like hep C treat-

CELL COUNT #74 - SUMMER 2014 17 - BE KIND TO YOUR VEINS -

Be kind to your veins, they’re the only ones you’ve got! Veins become leaky, infected and will eventually collapse if they don’t have time to heal between injections. You can tell a vein has collapsed when it seems to have disappeared or you can’t draw blood from it. To help prevent your veins from becoming damaged: ♦ try to use a different injection site for each time you shoot up ♦ learn how to inject in a number of places and with either hand so you’ll be able to use the other side if one side needs a rest ♦ save the “easy” spots for when you know you don’t have time ♦ shoot in the direction of your heart with the hole of the needle facing upwards ♦ taking oral vitamin C may help your veins repair themselves

To make sure your vein is full of blood and easier to hit, try: ♦ clenching and relaxing your fist - KEEPING FIT - ♦ gently rubbing or slapping the skin over the vein ♦ soak your arm in warm water ABSCESSES ♦ squeeze your bicep with your hand ♦ Push-ups, pull-ups or wrist curls Abscesses (infected boils) begin with red- ♦ use a tourniquet (belt, string, rubber bands, shoelaces, etc.) ness, swelling and tenderness at the injection site and develop into an infection with a REMEMBER THAT INFECTIONS ARE HARD TO HEAL, hard, pus-filled center. They are caused by IT IS BETTER TO PREVENT INFECTIONS tiny germs getting pushed under the skin by

WHERE TO SHOOT the rig. If you notice a hard warm lump de- Always shoot in a vein, never an artery. To be sure you’re in the vein, pull back the plunger, if slow moving veloping and can’t see a doctor, put a warm dark red blood comes into the syringe, YOU’RE IN A VEIN. If the blood is bright red and frothy or if the compress on it at least 3 times a day, this plunger is forced back by the pressure of blood, YOU’RE IN AN ARTERY – GET OUT! Untie, pull needle will bring blood to the area and will make it out, raise the limb above your head if possible and apply pressure for 10 minutes. Also: go away or it will soften and fill up with pus. Also keep the abscess clean with soap and ♦ areas that are furthest away from the heart heal the slowest and have the worst circulation (eg: feet) water. It may drain by itself but if you ♦ areas that are closest to the heart have veins that are near major arteries and nerves which can choose to drain it yourself, ONLY USE A cause serious damage if hit CLEAN NEEDLE to poke it with. The pus ♦ the veins in your arms are the safest places to shoot should come out easily, never squeeze it ♦ never inject where you feel a pulse (an artery) because it will spread the infection. If you ♦ try to hit surface veins instead of deeper ones are able to, put a dry bandage over it and ♦ shoot in the direction of your heart keep it clean. If you get a fever, chills, ex- treme fatigue or pain (especially in the groin GOOD PLACES TO SHOOT or armpits) that is related to the abscess, The veins in your upper arms and forearms are as safe as any! you may have a blood infection - you proba- bly need medical attention for this. Some BAD PLACES TO SHOOT infections need antibiotics to be cleared up. DO NOT fix into your eyes, face, armpits, penis or breasts, these veins are so fragile and hard to find that they’re not worth the risk. The same goes for veins near your belly button and inner thigh, they are too COTTON FEVER (“The Bends”) deep!

PLACES TO SHOOT ONLY IF YOU HAVE TO Cotton fever happens when a piece of the Veins in the hands and feet are fragile and will hurt, inject slowly into these areas. Inject slowly into the filter gets sucked into the syringe and in- veins behind your knees also and be careful of the artery that runs next to the vein. jected into your blood. Within hours, you develop a fever and get really sick, your IF YOU HAVE TO USE YOUR JUGULAR (in the neck) bones ache, you feel hot and cold at the Hits into your jugular are very dangerous. Chunks and clots can go quickly to your brain or heart and same time and you shake. The best thing to cause a stroke or heart attack. Your best bet is not to shoot here at all. If you must, clean the area first do is to rest, eat something and cover up with alcohol, then shoot towards the heart and come in at the smallest angle possible - 35 degrees or less. with a blanket. Cotton fever usually gets Flag it to make sure you’re in. Go as slow as possible and don’t stand up too fast. There is no 100% safe better after an hour. way to shoot in your jugular. CHALK LUNG GERMS Germs cause abscesses including spit germs, skin germs and other people’s germs. To avoid germs getting into your body while you’re fixing: Chalk Lung is caused by injecting something ♦ don’t lick the bubble off the top of the point that won’t mix with water. These pieces can include talc, chalk and cornstarch (many pills ♦ don’t lick the site before or after fixing have these pieces.) Your lungs may scar ♦ don’t use a dirty mix like toilet water or spit (if you have to use toilet water, use the water in the making it hard to breathe. Chalk Lung can tank, not the bowl) be prevented by filtering carefully every ♦ don’t touch the filters too much time. ♦ avoid sharing spoons, water, filters and rigs with other people ♦ clean the site before fixing if you can with soap or alcohol ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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