CELL COUNT - # 71

FALL ISSUE - 2013

- P A S A N -

WHO WE ARE … d) PASAN also provides ongoing support, net- b) PASAN produces a quarterly bulletin en- working, resources and training for AIDS Ser- titled CELL COUNT. This unique publication, PASAN is a community-based AIDS Service vices Organizations (ASOs) and other commu- which is written and edited primarily by Organization that strives to provide commu- nity groups across Ontario. We assist ASOs to prisoners and 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. PASAN distributes 6,800 issues a sponse to HIV /AIDS in the Canadian prison port. year to prisoners, institutions, and agencies system. across the country. CELL COUNT is free for Today, PASAN is the only community-based II. OUTREACH & EDUCATION prisoners and people living with HIV/AIDS organization in Canada exclusively providing 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 FALL 2013 - CELL COUNT - 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 .…...………………….………… 14-16 1 1: CNCC – Groups/ on Sign-up sheet; Request to Social Work Dept; Call PASAN DON JAIL – 2nd Wed of each month from 3:00-4:30 HWDC – Groups/1on1: Sign-up sheet; 4th Wed; Call PASAN Health & Harm Reduction ………..…... 17-18 MAPLEHURST – Groups/1on1: Sign-up sheet; 1st & 3rd Wed; Call PASAN OCDC – 1on1: Call PASAN PenPals ……………………....……………. 19 THE EAST – Groups/1on1: Run twice a month; Call for a program on your unit THE WEST – Groups/1on1: Run twice a month; Call for a program on your unit Women: Resources ……………………....………… 20 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: Warkworth, Collins Bay, It is sent out for FREE to Clients & Prisoners. Bath, Frontenac, Millhaven, Fenbrook, Beavercreek and Pittsburgh. 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 @ $15 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: 314 Jarvis St, #100, Toronto, ON, M5B 2C5 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 property of the artist & author. regular basis. For more info call Trevor or Joan. ______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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cover: Herz (Thanx ‘Out of Bounds’!) ♦ PHONE HOURS - Mon - Fri from 9-5, except Tuesday mornings Page 6: András Tóth ♦ DROP-IN - Mondays 1:30-3:30 (except holidays) Good food & 2 TTC tokens Page 8: Marian Avramescu ♦ NURSE - 1st & last Monday 1:30-3:30 every month Page 9: Awantha Artigala ♦ ID CLINIC - 1st & 3rd Thursday 10:30-11:30 every month Page 11: Rodrigo de Matos ♦ 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 - FALL 2013 3 - EDITOR’S NOTE - - DROP-IN - - NURSE -

The ‘Summer Issue - #70’ of PASAN CLIENTS A Nurse at PASAN! Cell Count was banned from On the 1st & last Monday of every month 10 buckets/joints in Canada. Mondays 1:30 - 3:30 1:30 - 3:30 ‘Public Health Info’ & See you then! • Information and education regarding: ‘Freedom of Speech’ are still: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - Medications ‘Not Respected in Canada’! - Nutrition PenPals: Pls write ONLY to - FAMILY VISITATION - - Community Health Resources ads in the most recent issue, most of the older ads - HIV/AIDS understanding aren’t there. All undeliverable mail is destroyed. F.E.A.T. for Children of Incarcerated Parents was - Complications to HIV/AIDS Sorry folks, but this PenPal system is going through founded in 2011 to support the needs of the over (i.e. Opportunistic Infections) some changes. About 150 penpal ads come in for 15,000 children in the Greater Toronto Area that each issue & there’s only space for 60. So it’s the have a parent in the criminal justice system. • Assessments of emerging health issues ‘Grab-One-Outta-The-Big-Bag’ method now. If your • Management of existing medical conditions or ad ain’t in this one, send again for the next Issue. The Family Visitation Program follow up(s) It’s very difficult 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 ‘No Longer 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 21 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 10:30 - 11:30 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 re- • Record of Landing turned to you or sent on to someone else! Over the past 11 years our subscription list has grown from 700 to 1700 and all costs have more • Social Insurance Number Artists: This publication is photocopied. That than doubled during this period. means B&W 'high-contrast printing'. Tonal pencil The project operates at various sites across the city sketches get blown-away (don’t expect good re- We receive less than 30 subscriptions for ‘Cell of Toronto. The PAID Project also connects individu- sults). Black ballpoint or felt-tip penwork (tat-style) Count’ from organizations Canada-wide so we’ve als and families to other services, such as: reproduces quite well. Try to work on paper with had to pare-down our mailing list so we can get 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 urge • Legal Aid that is being reduced loses a lot of detail. Artwork you to help us out by using this method if you do cannot be enlarged (it gets really fuzzy & ugly). not wish to support with a subscription. We also provide guidance and awareness regarding Cover Art should NOT have the Issue # on it be- other programs that are available, including com- cause if it is not used for that Issue, it would be If your org has paid for a sub - don’t worry, you’re munity-based support services. really nice to use it on a future Issue! for sure on our mailing list! Oh yeah ... Thanks! 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 FALL 2013 - CELL COUNT Harm Reduction? Dignity - NEWS ON THE BLOCK - I am an inmate at Mountain Inst and have been To treat others and ourselves with the respect and ‘Correctional’ Officers here a year on a 3 year bit. This is my first time in dignity that every human deserves and to survive jail, let alone the pen. Since I have been in though I the impact of negative labels; this is for dignity and I was transported to the Don Jail along with my have noticed that there is so much wrong with how freedom towards healing our wounds towards indi- Meds for depression. I was put into the ‘Hole’ they run what they call a ‘tight ship’. vidual identity and respect for individual integrity, alone. After being given the wrong Medications, I First, they put so much emphasis on programs and for what we call human dignity. suffered a major seizure, then was moved to ‘Super yes, they do help show you what your crime cycle is You need to be aware of the human side of a per- PC’ to be locked up with 2 other inmates. which does help but what then? Some people need son. To be taught respect and values for himself Now SPC would be better known as the SPCA as more than just that, like counselling. Here they and other humans, to hold the same values and far as the way we’ve been treated here! The don’t have anything like that unless you’re high principles, that should be supported by these deep guard’s treatments make any animal lover cringe needs and you know how hard it is to get on that convictions and should change and support this way with hatred and disgust, yet we must remain locked list even for a person with extreme depression and of life. up and accept this inhuman treatment. mild anxiety. We should have psychologists or We are being cut off from all social nourishment Since May 22nd there have been 2 occurrences of something. Then they wonder why people re-offend, and people who are rich in human quality, family, Code Red (fires), Range flooded, and access to nail it is because programs don’t work and I am sorry friends, and caring people in our society who will clippers only twice in 62 days. Along with 16 Code but giving people more time like LTO bits or DO work in and around our prison system to help to Blues (fights), 9 stabbings/medical incidents, 16 cell bits won’t help either. maintain our outside values and principles and lockdowns, 20 showers, 9 shaving times, 7 canteen But my biggest pain right now is the lack of harm work with us towards hope and change for a more visits, 12 opportunities to use the one phone, 7 reduction in this institution especially regarding productive and positive life. towel/linen changes, 8 yard days (7:30 am!), 13 tattooing. There is a lady in a position of power By cutting our support network off, they keep us as cell searches, no tv, 13 days with no radio, 7 times here that has taken all the ink that you can buy far away as possible from our societies as seeing us salt with our meals, 8 times for pepper, 46 days to from outside sources through ITF, out of the institu- as human beings. get my glasses after A&D broke them, 4 Request tion. Up until a week or so ago you used to be able The system deprives us of what little freedoms we Forms and 5 letterhead pages. to buy a sealed bottle of ink and you knew it was cherish with denial of access to our loved ones. No cold drinking water for 21+ days in my cell. safe because it was sealed from the store where it Civil servants are willing to guard against anyone or Since July 14th we’ve received 17 meals with no was bought from. Now you just don’t know where anything who challenges the system. Cynicism is spoons. A fellow cellmate was taken to the hole for or how the ink is made and inmates are stuck alive in the prison system just as it is in the real passing out spoons! He remains there still. using whatever they can find to get tattoo work world. On June 3rd we were refused salt & pepper with done. People are willing to accept the truth in anything our meals as they feared we’d use them as weap- Yes, it is taboo to tattoo but let’s not kid ourselves, that people in authority claim to be true. It’s easier ons! Hence we all (18 inmates in 6 cells) filled out we all know and that includes the ‘man’ that tat- for people to distance themselves from prisoners Request Forms for Blue Ombudsman letters which tooing goes on no matter how hard they attempt to instead of making themselves aware of the human still have not been delivered. Hopefully this letter stop it. I have to wonder why she does this. Doesn’t side of a person/prisoner. makes it into your next edition so the Ombudsman she care about people and their well-being? Yes, we You would think people would be concerned about can read what we couldn’t send before. are convicts but we are people too and we deserve the atrocities committed against us by the officials From the Blue Shirts telling us, “There isn’t any to be able to be safe doing something that is in the within and the dehumanization that is alive and reason for you to be alive”, to ignoring our requests community legal. They took away the legal shops well within the walls of our prisons. We have to shower and shave before Court or keeping us inside and forced it into an underground and more merely become the currency for a professional class locked up for 3 days or more. How can any person unhealthy practice while going wink, wink, nudge, living off the avails of crime, so others can indulge not act aggressively towards those guards! nudge – pretending it does not occur. in conspicuous consumption like the Jones’ down This is my first incarceration awaiting trial. As a It is almost as though they hope for inmates to be the street. ‘First Timer’ all I keep feeling is the complete inhu- harmed. It only causes more stress for all con- In a materialistic world, it’s a sad society we live in mane treatment Repeat Offenders receive. Even cerned and with the Harper Government kicking when products become more important than a though I haven’t been found guilty, the treatment constantly at inmates these days, it is tough enough person’s well being and most of all a prisoners right I’ve received says otherwise. already. This isn’t how it should be. In the end, it to be properly released and reintegrated back into There is a vicious cycle between Inmates and COs only costs them more money for health care and society and back to family, friends and the commu- that won’t be fixed with a shiny new Jail, but with other paper work. Why not just give us that little nity like the justice system used to be designed to Media and Government Intervention/ Programs. bit of safety instead of worrying how it makes her- do. There are COs who are good, honest individuals but self look? What’s more important, a pay raise and from my experience they are too few and assigned promotion for this lady or the safety and well being Anonymous to the wrong places when they are needed in SPC. of convicts? You tell me? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Let’s hope this letter doesn’t fall on deaf ears and Problems at RPCC something gets done to address inmate treatment. Anonymous If they are known as ‘Correctional’ Officers, then ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I’m at the RPCC, just finished 10 months. I’m just isn’t it about time the officers correct their prob- Room and Board Changes wanting to inform the public of the shit that goes lems instead of taking them out on the inmates? on here. All prisoners on pay scales A,B,C and D For instance, when you put a medical request in or Anonymous dental, it takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 22% - Room and Board months. 8% - Phone Administration When they lock us up it’s for hours on end without The law, in its majestic equality forbids the rich 10% - Goes into Savings: Prisoners must keep a a washroom. as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to balance of $200 in Savings, up from $80 (This is It takes forever to get any answer here. I’ve been steal bread, or to beg in the streets. being challenged) asking for stuff and they don’t budge. - Anatole France $7.75 Inmate Welfare Fund (IWF) ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anonymous ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CELL COUNT - FALL 2013 5 Ridiculous Untitled Trial

I am in Kent Inst, BC. I came here from Edmonton Please take a moment to read this when you feel Remand in custody is, without a doubt, punishment Inst (E.I.). I thought going from a gangland prison alone, hurt, scared, frustrated, confused, heart before trial. to what is now known as ‘the most laid-back envi- broken, or even just to pass the time. This practice so undercuts the principle of the pre- ronment’ Max Security in Canada would be good. Know this … it may feel like this is the end of the sumption of innocence upon which our system of In a way, I was right. But in many ways, I was world or that you can’t go on and know it would be justice is founded that we must choose: wrong. so much easier to just give up and go back to your 1) Either jail the accused, on the premise they’re To start off, this is the only Max that still doesn’t old ways and habits. That would be called ‘the easy currently dangerous and will immediately offend have the razors back. We still have those ridiculous way out’, it never worked for you before and trying 2) Or afford the accused the presumption of inno- 1” clear razors that can’t cut a single hair. The it for the millionth time isn’t gonna work this time cence and respect his right to retain his privileges food is the best in the country but not for long. either, nice try. (ie, wear monitoring bracelet) until the charge Word is Feb 2014 we are getting ready-made Take a step back, breathe, relax. Now think of all has been tried in court with full access to records airplane dinners for fuck sakes! Like really? the good things you have going for you right now. of proceedings, etc without cost to the accused. Then, we not only have the same outdated $1500 Think of all the people who love you and love you I suggest the majority of those extra-judicial jailings value cap on our Cell Effects but the warden here for you and not what you can give them. Also think would be overturned on appeal, however the public finds it necessary to combine the value of your of those whom you love as well. may continue to demand a ‘pound of flesh’ in cer- Stored Effects with your issued Cell Effects. Plus, Now think of everyone of those from your past who tain cases due to lynch-mob reflexes, given the they will make you pay to send your Stored Effects used, abused, and hurt you without a care in the damaging effect of pre-trial publicity. out within 30 days or they will destroy your Stored world. All those who promised they would never Effects. Isn’t that vandalism of property, to destroy hurt you or leave you, but when the going got Peter Williams your personal stuff just because you don’t have the tough, were nowhere to be found. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ $ to send it out. That shit is expensive and not all As hard as it may seem at the moment, know that Artists Needed! of us have people on the street to send us $. And in you are not only beautiful inside and out, but strong BC Harper has it now that we only get half-pay too. Too strong to give up now. We are updating our written resources and we're even though we work full-time jobs. Life will go on no matter how deep the pain. Think looking for artwork to include in the pamphlets. The only stereo that you can buy now is a $30 of those people or things that have caused you to The topics include HIV, Hep C, Tattooing, Piercing, shitbox that is quieter than your tv, ‘due to re- feel this way as a learning mistake. And mistakes Self-Harm (like cutting/slashing) and Intravenous cording capabilities’. Nowadays every stereo no are okay as long as you do all you can to not make drug use. matter how cheap has recording capabilities. It’s the same mistake twice. We're looking for different styles of art including 2013 for fuck sakes! It’s the same for tapes. E.I. Keep your head up high and always remember, it ink/charcoal drawings, graffiti-style work, cartoons, sells blank cassettes through A&D, every other will only get better from here, but only if you want etc. prison I’ve seen also sells them, but not Kent. They it to. Keep up the good work. The topics are serious but we would love to see won’t even give me the tapes I came here with. some artwork with humour as well. This is the only joint without Loaner tvs so if you Rachel D Lorenz Please send your art to Joan, c/o PASAN don’t have one or $ for one don’t come here unless ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ you plan on bugging out with nothing for months on Free Time? end making peanuts for wages so it’ll take 2 years to save up for a tv. Your body may be incarcerated but your mind The warden here counts the joint issued shoes as doesn't have to be. Do you have a pen/pencil and one pair, so you can only have one pair of street paper? shoes. And we all know how cheap and terrible the Try a game called 'Horse' without looking. You or a joint issued shoes are. friend names a scene (a horse wearing a hat by a These issues may be minor compared to the many waterfall, for instance) anything you can think of. other issues Federal prisoners are facing but it’s just Then close your eyes and draw that scene. No more things to add to the lovely list of crap that looking! You'll be surprised at what you get. Harper’s government is doing to us. Stay strong, Eyes open you can draw your hand, your foot, keep fighting, and let’s take back what our brothers anything, but try to concentrate as much as you fought and died for years ago. can. Try a self-portrait or a picture from the past or Viva le resistance! a dream, Cell Count needs more drawings! Try and write in words a description of any simple Anonymous object, in detail, so that it would be clear to some- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ one who has never seen that thing before, like Edmonton Inst Health Care? someone who has lived in a cave cut off from eve- rything. Read your composition aloud. Try to vary All Units are not receiving condoms for helping to the language. Browse a dictionary. minimize the spread of HIV/AIDS. Health Care at Practice rhymes and rhythms to make songs. You Edmonton Inst is very lax and not supplying these can take a song you like and change the words to and to insure that the supply is there and continual apply to you. If you have a song in your heart, no on all Units. one can take it away from you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So what happens when there is no condoms? The Everyone has something to express. Art is creative, spread of HIV/AIDS is more prevalent when no one anger is destructive. Art is also more fun! The law is a system that protects everybody can use condoms to help contain this. who can afford to hire a good lawyer. This is my concern which should be brought up to She - Mark Twain Health Care. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Action indeed is the sole medium of expression It’s not right to believe everything we hear Anonymous for ethics. about lawyers. Some of it might not be true. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - Jane Addams - Gerald Lieberman

6 FALL 2013 - CELL COUNT Woman’s physician says jail doctor de- past five years is that prisoners never receive their more can, and should, be done. A report this sum- nied patient prescribed pain medication prescription opioids because they are viewed as mer by Ontario ombudsman André Marin fingered “prison currency.” the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre as one of OTTAWA — An Ottawa doctor is demanding an- Baxter called that a “farcical argument” since pris- the worst in the province in terms of use of exces- swers from the provincial minister in charge of jails oners are administered other “highly addictive” sive force. The detention centre is also seriously about how the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre “street value drugs” such as Ritalin and Clonaze- overcrowded, adding to the stress of both prisoners treats prisoners with prescriptions to narcotics after pam under the supervision of nurses. and guards. And then there is the larger issue of one of her patients was denied her drugs. Baxter said it was troubling that jail doctors are not lack of proper mental health care for women. We Anesthesiologist Ellen Thompson said she wants to taking into consideration the recommendations of expect the government to turn its attention to these know why prisoners who suffer from chronic pain physicians who have known and been treating their much larger issues because we don’t need prisoners are being deprived of their medication, causing patients in the community. to come back into the community after serving them to experience “very nasty” withdrawal symp- Questions about health care in the chronically over- their sentences or time in remand, angrier or worse toms as the prescription drugs wear off. crowded provincial jail on Innes Road are nothing off than they were. Thompson sent a letter to Ottawa MPP Madeleine new. Meilleur, who is also Minister of Community Safety Last September, female prisoner Julie Bilotta ended Editorial and Correctional Services, after learning one of her up giving birth in a segregation cell after screaming Ottawa Citizen - Aug 21, 2013 patients suffered through a painful withdrawal that for help for hours. The jailhouse birth prompted a ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ included severe cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, chills number of investigations, which are still ongoing. Canada’s Crime Rate Drops and cold sweats. “We see women all the time withdrawing from to Lowest Since 1972 The woman, who was on the prescription narcotic heavy-duty mental health meds and pain meds, OxyNEO as a result of severe chronic back pain having to suffer through that withdrawal with very OTTAWA - Canada’s police services are once again from a workplace injury, was instead given Tylenol little health care,” said Baxter. “If you go to jail reporting fewer crimes, a continuing trend that has 3 and Clonazepam, a medication that helps relieve, there is no weening off. One day you are on them cut the national crime rate to its lowest level since nervousness, tension and anxiety. and the next day you are not.” 1972. She was taken to the jail earlier this week after Baxter said the Elizabeth Fry Society has already Statistics Canada says the police-reported crime being charged with domestic assault. asked Ontario’s ombudsman to launch a systemic rate fell by three per cent in 2012 compared with “I assume diabetics are not deprived of their insu- review into health care behind bars. the previous year. lin, and hypertensives probably receive their medi- Baxter said she has also met with Meilleur and The severity of crimes committed was also down by cations. I need to understand why my patients are believes she is committed to enacting positive three per cent in 2012, according to StatsCan’s deprived of their medications, sometimes with se- change. Crime Severity Index (CSI). vere consequences to their health,” Thompson Police-reported crime has been on a steady decline asked Meilleur in her letter. Andrew Seymour since peaking in 1991. “The callousness of this whole thing is incompre- Ottawa Citizen - May 17, 2013 Police services reported nearly two million incidents hensible. And we need this to not happen again,” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ involving criminal activity in 2012, roughly 36,000 Thompson said, calling the woman’s withdrawal The Rights of Prisoners fewer than in the previous year. “absolutely hazardous to her mental and physical “The police-reported crime rate has followed a health.” There was considerable outrage around the prov- downward trend, and, in 2012, reached its lowest Thompson said withdrawal symptoms can last ince last fall, after pregnant prisoner Julie Bilotta’s level since 1972,” Statistics Canada said in its between 24 and 48 hours and sometimes longer. pleas for help were ignored by prison nurses until latest report. “It is horrible. It is like the worst flu you ever had,” she started to give birth on the concrete floor of her “The CSI was down 28 per cent over the 10 years said Thompson, who has been practising medicine cell. The way officials at the Ottawa-Carleton De- since 2002.” for more than 40 years. “And of course the pain tention Centre treated Bilotta triggered calls for a Although there has been a trend toward a reduced you were originally treated for is hitting you full thorough investigation, and we applaud the action crime rate and fewer severe crimes, spending on scale.” so far taken by the Ontario government to ensure criminal justice continues to rise. In an email, the ministry said decisions about which no inmate ever has to go through that again. Also, the Conservatives have introduced at least 30 drugs an inmate takes while in custody are made Last week, the Ministry of Community Safety and bills designed to crack down on crime since Prime by the institution doctor. Every prisoner is assessed Correctional Services said it has reprimanded, sus- Minister Stephen Harper won power in 2006. by a nurse within 48 hours of admission, they pended and fired detention centre employees who Per capita spending on criminal justice _ including added. were involved in the shameful incident. A big part federal and provincial jails, court costs and policing But Thompson said patients on opioid pain medica- of the problem is a fundamental disrespect for _ climbed 23 per cent over the last decade, the tion can go into withdrawal four to 12 hours after inmates, many of whom have not even been con- Parliamentary budget office reported in March. their last dose. victed of a crime. Holding jail officials accountable The report put the price tag at $20.3 billion in “Medical treatment and administration of prescrip- sends a clear message to everyone in the correc- 2011-12, with roughly three quarters of that total tion medication are clinical decisions made between tional system that people in jail have the same right carried by the provinces and municipalities. inmates and medical staff,” the ministry said. “The to dignity and humane treatment as any other Both the police-reported crime rate and the CSI fell ministry does not interfere with clinical decisions or Canadian, and failure to uphold this basic principle in most provinces last year, although rates in- direct medical professionals.” will be met with serious sanctions. This week, the creased in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island Each new prisoner is asked a series of questions by government unveiled a 21-point health care proto- and the territories. a nurse, including information about medications, col, which sets out standardized practices and Saskatchewan reported the biggest decline in its the ministry said. They are also asked the name of procedures on how to deal with pregnant offenders crime rate, but still had the highest rate and CSI the doctor who prescribes any treatment or medi- before and after the birth of their children. The among the provinces. cations and the name of the pharmacy that dis- plan, aimed at building a “better and more respon- Crime rates, and the severity of crimes as in previ- penses. This information is shared with the physi- sive health care system” for those behind bars, ous years, were higher in the territories and the cian, who will determine whether the medications includes better training for officials on governance, western provinces. and treatments should continue, according to the oversight, women’s health issues and communica- Ontario police services reported the lowest crime ministry. tion to ensure inmates receive the care and support rate and CSI. But Bryonie Baxter, executive director of the Eliza- they need while in custody. beth Fry Society, said that her experience over the These measures are an important first step but The Canadian Press - Jul 25, 2013

CELL COUNT - FALL 2013 7 Solitary Confinement a Growing Issue four of those years she was kept in solitary confine- in Canadian, US Prisons ment and sensory deprivation in a highly experi- mental high-security unit in the basement of a People who have experienced 'administrative prison in Lexington, Kentucky. segregation' weigh in on its long-term effects She says solitary confinement may not sound harsh Ashley Smith was alone in jail when she committed to someone who hasn’t experienced it, but it can suicide in 2007. She died in a segregation cell, a have profound effects on a prisoner’s mental controversial form of prison isolation that experts health. compare to solitary confinement. “If one thinks about being locked in your bathroom, As the ongoing inquest into her death has heard, where you have a bathtub in it, and you can never the effects of the kind of long-term segregation she go anywhere except in that bathroom, right, that is faced during her multiple years in confinement can the extent of your life, with only hostile and nega- be deeply detrimental to a person’s mental well- tive interactions with somebody on the other side of being. the door who hates you, and is feeding you, or According to The Correctional Service of Canada, giving you water, or telling you No! That’s a begin- administrative segregation — commonly known as ning approximation of what it’s like to be in solitary solitary confinement — is “not a form of punish- confinement.” ment,” but rather a means “to help ensure the Lee Chappelle, who spent a total of a year and a safety of all inmates, staff and visitors.” It is to be half in segregation in Ontario, describes that experi- used only when “there is no reasonable alternative ence this way: “You’re under constant light, 24 and for the shortest period of time necessary.” hours a day. There’s no relief from [fluorescent] Furthermore, Correctional Service of Canada light in your cell. The days are exceptionally long. spokeswoman Lori Pothier told CBC News that, There’s no reading material. There’s literally no “Within 24 hours of admission to segregation, an stimulation of any sort. So you’re living inside your offender’s mental health needs and physical needs head, and your living inside this little, hard room.” are assessed by a health care professional.” Rosenberg was also under fluorescent lights 24 contact with guards offered only antagonism. Despite this, government figures show that the use hours a day. The monotony of that light and lack of “I think they were specifically trained what to say of indefinite administrative segregation is growing in colour in her cell led to her and another inmate to and told, these are the most difficult, terrible, horri- Canada. develop something she called “white vision blind- ble people you have ever run across in your life, The Ombudsman for federal offenders says there ness.” and you'd better treat them as such. And when were 8,221 federal inmates in segregation across “We began to not be able to see. You [can’t] see somebody would break that mould, they would be Canada in 2012-2013. Many suffer mental health past six feet, and everything is white, so that liter- removed. They would be caught on camera being problems, and a third of them, according to the ally you lose the capacity to see colour.” kind and they would be removed.” Ombudsman’s same statistics, are aboriginal. Ad- Human contact Rosenberg was released from prison in 2001 after missions into segregation totalled 7,137 in 2003- Greg McMaster is currently incarcerated at Fen- having her sentence commuted by President Bill 04. brook prison in Gravenhurst, Ont., for killing four Clinton on his last day in office. While she contin- men in 1978. He has spent more than seven years ues to work as a writer and anti-prison activist, the in segregation — most of that time in the U.S. effects of her time in isolation remain with her. prison system. He describes the lengths he and “In solitary it’s not just a loneliness, it’s a craziness. others would go to have contact with one another, It’s a devastating experience.” even a simple conversation. “You can take the water out of your toilet and Brett Story & Craig Desson there’s an open pipeway. As disgusting as it may CBC News sound, when you’re a man in solitary confinement Sep 8, 2013 and you have not spoken to another human being ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ in a month, you will take that water out of your toilet. The position of the UN Special Rapporteur “All you know is that you need that contact. I’ve on Torture is that any period of more than known men who’ve actually lost the ability to 15 consecutive days in solitary confinement speak. Or to have a rational thought. It’s spiraling There’s a similar trend in the United States, where depressions, and you dig so deep into your soul just constitutes a form of torture. more than 80,000 inmates are being held in soli- to stay alive. And then when you have human con- tary confinement, many of them kept in isolation tact, whatever form it may be, you relish that.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ for years at a time. Michael Jackson is a law professor at the University In July of this year in California, an estimated of British Columbia who has written about solitary As long as you keep a person down, some part 30,000 inmates began the largest hunger strike in confinement and advocated for prisoners in segre- of you has to be down there to hold the per- the state’s history to protest conditions of solitary gation for more than 40 years. He has seen first- son down, so it means you cannot soar as you confinement and sensory deprivation. In the Califor- hand the impact of segregation. otherwise might. nia prison system there are more than 500 men “Last week I was talking to a man who I’ve known - Marian Anderson that have been held in isolation cells for over a for 25 years, and in the last month he spent most decade. of his time in segregation units at two prisons in Depression is merely anger without enthusi- Life in solitary Canada. And the despair in his voice, the hopeless- asm. But statistics only tell one of the story. CBC Radio’s ness, the fact that over the phone I am pleading - Steven Wright Ideas spoke to people who have been in solitary with him not to take his own life," Jackson said. "It’s confinement about its psychological toll. a despair that just calls for a human response, and The world can only be grasped by action, not Susan Rosenberg is an American political activist it’s a response that he has difficulty in finding from by contemplation. The hand is the cutting edge who spent clo se to 11 years in some form of isola- those who confine him.” of the mind. tion during the 16 years she was incarcerated. For In the experience of Susan Rosenberg, the limited - Diane Arbus

8 FALL 2013 - CELL COUNT State-of-the-art Teen Jail after the opening of the 192-bed, $93-million facil- many classrooms occupied by a single student Under Fire for Secrecy ity in the summer of 2009 — and the complaints taught by a teacher, sometimes accompanied by a have continued ever since. teacher's assistant. Youth centre employees walk Ontario facility touted as 'jewel' of rehab sys- This marks Elman's second report criticizing the the halls or sit at classroom windows keeping a tem fails to meet basic needs: report centre's operations. The first was released in 2010. watchful eye on the class, where youth are earning After years of allegations from teens at Ontario's This report is based on a review conducted in 2011 high school credits or learning trades, from robotics largest youth jail about everything from under- in which the advocate's office interviewed 75 to landscape design. cooked chicken to excessive use of force by staff, youths aged 13 to 21. Since then, the office has Seventy-three youth currently live at the facility. the provincial youth advocate wants to strip the also met with, interviewed and/or received com- While the average age is 17, some are as young as controversial centre of the ability to investigate plaints from over 200 youth at the centre. 13 or as old as 21. itself. In an interview with CBC News, the youth advocate 'Growing pains' "It's just kind of obvious to me," said Irwin Elman. described the province's largest youth jail as the Some youth complained that the centre failed to "There needs to be a fair, equitable, effective and "jewel" of Ontario's youth rehabilitation system. offer more than two meals a day on the weekends transparent process, which means it's not the cen- "That centre should be the promise of the whole — brunch and dinner —leaving 19 hours between tre doing its own investigation." system and we should be looking at them for best meals at some points. Secrecy was one of the troubling issues identified by practices," said Elman. It's an issue the centre said it addressed, but when Ontario's senior youth representative after years of But the report found that the centre still fails to the advocate checked in in late 2012 he found back and forth with the Roy McMurtry Youth Cen- meet some of the basic standards — and com- breakfast still wasn't available. During a tour, cen- tre. Among the concerns was that the centre re- plaints flooding in from youth at the centre still tre staff said the issues rests with teens given an fused to provide access to internal reports on alle- echo concerns first heard four years ago. option to wake up for provided breakfast — and gations that staff assaulted youth, citing staff pri- 'Nothing has changed' they say that cereal and fruit is always available to vacy. Nearly half of youth commented on excessive use hungry teens. In one recent incident, what the Brampton, Ont., of force by staff, more than a third reported vio- "We've never had a youth lose weight here," John centre termed an investigation was no more than a lence happening daily or several times a week and Scarfo, regional director of youth justice services for "paper review" looking at details of an allegation, 27 per cent said they felt unsafe because of staff. the ministry of children and youth services, said the report says. "It shows that nothing has changed," said Luis during a tour. It also found that though the centre said any youth Carrillos, a youth program director at the Hispanic Teens also complained that staff overused isolation, allegations of assault by staff were passed along to Development Council who served on a committee which is intended as a last resort, and most were police, the advocate's office later learned it gave during the centre's planning stages. "The findings not told they had the right to call the advocate. summaries to the police on a weekly basis, spark- that the advocate found should be a point of con- Some of those who knew and asked to call were ing worries the complaints were reflected through cern for all people who work with youth and their refused that right, says the report. the lens of the centre. stakeholders: parents, family, community and work- "There's always going to be kids complaining that Second critical report ers like myself." they want something done different," said Marg The advocate says investigations should have to When the 86-acre property opened its gates, it was Stanowski, who co-chairs a group of 30 organiza- adhere to the same standards as those done by heralded as much for its silver LEED-certified state- tions working with the centre. But she says she's child protection workers, such as interviews with the of-the-art building as for its unique relationship- "very much impressed" with the facility and "we alleged victim, the alleged perpetrator, witnesses building programs — all centred around creating have people clamouring to get involved." and more. an atmosphere focused on rehabilitating rather Andrew Bacchus, a youth worker who has been a The office of the provincial advocate for children than punishing youth, in hopes of keeping them off self-described fixture at the centre for the past and youth issued the findings in a report released the streets. three years, acknowledged that the centre's ap- Wednesday, giving detailed stories from youth over But there's no escaping that it's a prison. Youth proach was more reactive when it first opened, but the past two years. All those detained at the institu- clad in maroon prison uniforms sleep in small, says it's become more proactive. He puts it down to tion were charged while aged 12 to 17. white-painted cinder block cells outfitted with "growing pains." The advocate began receiving complaints weeks brown plastic shelves and matching bed sets. Bath- A 'tipping point' rooms, CBC News requested an interview with Ontario's while pri- children and youth services minister, Teresa vate, are Piruzza, but she was unavailable. equipped The province's youth advocate fears that the centre with a small is at a "tipping point" — and he worries that the metal view- continued concerns won't be heard. ing hatch "To be fair to the institution there's been some for employ- progress," said Elman. "My biggest concern is that ees to peer the progress hasn't been made for everyone. It still in, if leaves some people not getting what they need." needed. "My worry is we're going to give up. We're not During a going to try to solve this and fulfil our promise as tour ar- an institution." ranged by A large part of the youth advocate's report focuses the ministry on the inconsistent and unpredictable care youth of children receive from staff. and youth "That [approach] can't be the standard for an services, organization that is the hallmark of our youth jus- which over- tice system in Ontario." sees the centre, the Amber Hildebrandt regional CBC News board-run Aug 7, 2013 school had ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CELL COUNT - FALL 2013 9 Ottawa Woman’s Human Rights and day, forced her to sleep on the floor without a Andrew Seymour Settlement Sparks Sweeping Changes mattress and shut off her cell’s water for days at a Ottawa Citizen - Sep 24, 2013 for Ontario Jails time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ She spent at least 23 hours a day in a windowless Ottawa Jail third-most complained about OTTAWA - The province of Ontario will make cell during separate stays at the Innes Road deten- in recent Ontario Ombudsman's report sweeping changes to the way its jails treat mentally tion centre in 2011 and 2012. ill women and administer solitary confinement after During one of her stays, Jahn missed a scheduled The Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre generated settling a human rights complaint with a bipolar surgery and chemotherapy. She needed an emer- 398 complaints, making it the third-most com- and terminally ill Ottawa woman. gency mastectomy after being released from the jail plained about correctional facility, according to the Christina Jahn filed a complaint against the Ministry because her cancer had become so advanced. recently released Ontario Ombudsman 2012-13 of Community Safety and Correctional Services to “It was the worst treatment I had ever had,” said report. the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, alleging the Jahn, who insisted that the public interest remedies The increase of nearly 100 complaints was enough Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre discriminated promised by the ministry be made public. “It for OCDC to move up a spot on the list from last against her by locking her up in segregation for seemed like a decision was made and I wasn’t year. more than 200 days instead of treating her mental getting out of there under any circumstances.” It may not be the biggest jail but OCDC ranked illness. Raj Dhir, a lawyer for the Ontario Human Rights ahead of nearly two dozen other facilities, including On Tuesday, the ministry reached a settlement with Commission, said the settlement not only addresses centres in Toronto and Hamilton. Jahn, promising to change the way they operate by Jahn’s experience, but the policies and procedures “We do hear directly from inmates,” said Ashley screening all inmates for mental illness, devising that led to her being placed in segregation in the Bursey, with the ombudsman’s office, on complaints treatment plans and training staff to better deal first place. that can range from food to living conditions. with the mentally ill. “It recognizes that the lack of accessible treatment Complaints can also come from correctional staff, The ministry also agreed it will no longer use segre- and programs, and the use of segregation, can said Bursey but most are from prisoners. gation for people with mental illness unless they have severe consequences for inmates with mental A “high volume” of prisoner concerns relate to can demonstrate they’ve considered and rejected disabilities,” said Dhir. health and safety issues, according to the report, all other alternatives. Inmates with a major mental “The ministry has committed to making a number such as lack of access to medication and treat- illness who are placed in segregation will be exam- of changes to better address the mental health ment. ined by a psychiatrist every five days, according to needs of incarcerated individuals. These changes Complaints have included refusing prescriptions, the settlement. are consistent with recommendations by experts, delayed medication due to lockdowns, or being cut As part of the settlement, the ministry agreed to oversight bodies and Canadian and international off altogether. conduct a study within the next 18 months to health and human rights organizations,” he said. Long waits for psychiatric help for prisoners suffer- measure the need for a secure treatment centre for Bryonie Baxter, executive director of the Elizabeth ing from mental health issues was also a concern. mentally ill female offenders, something critics have Fry Society, said the changes are long overdue. In some cases, incidents were flagged to senior complained is long overdue. The province currently “I think it’s a good step toward better treatment to ministry officials, while psychiatric care hours were has a 100-bed secure treatment facility for men, people with mental illness in Ontario prisons,” said extended at jails in a region that had nixed them but nothing for women. Baxter, who praised Jahn for being “incredibly over money problems. The findings and recommendations of that report brave” in challenging the ministry and forcing The Ombudsman strategy focuses on cases that will be provided to the Ontario Human Rights Com- change. involve serious health or safety-related issues, in- mission, according to the agreement. The ministry “We’ve been asking for this both from the ministry cluding flagging complaints of excessive force by jail has committed to acting on the recommendations and the ombudsman’s office for years. What hap- guards, as well as monitoring the handling of in- within another 18 months, or publicly explain why pened to Christina could have been prevented had mate-on-inmate fights. they won’t. they moved on what was clearly a need far more Separate attacks on two Ottawa inmates on the The 43-year-old Jahn, who is dying of advanced quickly,” said Baxter. same day were highlighted in a Ombudsman report breast and bone cancer, also received a cash settle- Jail documents revealed Jahn, serving sentences for released last month, that focused on excessive ment, although the exact amount is confidential. resisting arrest, shoplifting and causing a distur- force by correctional staff. She had been seeking a record $250,000 in dam- bance, was being held in segregation for no other The prison that generated the most complaints was ages in an Ontario Human Rights Tribunal hearing reason than her mental illness. the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetan- that was supposed to have started Monday. The It was apparent the guards thought little of Jahn, guishene, with 665 cases, while the Toronto Jail two sides reached a settlement before the proceed- whose lawyer acknowledged she was a challenging rounded out the top 10 at 184 complaints. ings began. inmate because of her mental illness. In one memo, The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional “The compelling facts of this case have really a jail guard described her as being the “thoroughly Services are working with the Ombudsman office to caused the ministry to wake up and agree to seri- disgusting, rude and obnoxious inmate that all staff respond to and resolve concerns raised, said ous systemic change for inmates with mental ill- have experienced in the past” when explaining why spokesman Brent Ross Wednesday. ness,” said Jahn’s lawyer, Paul Champ. “To the the water to her cell was being shut off. The actual contents of the complaints made to the credit of the ministry, I’ve never seen a government Jahn alleged her treatment led to “harm to dignity, Ombudsman are confidential, said Ross, and the department agree to such positive and far-reaching humiliation, mental anguish and reckless discrimi- ministry is often not contacted by his office regard- changes.” nation.” ing individual complaints. Jahn said her fight wasn’t about the money. Champ earlier alleged the jail treated Jahn in an Officials review all complaints made to the ministry, “It was a matter of discrimination, the way I was “utterly cruel and degrading manner” and the with those involving more serious incidents referred being treated,” said Jahn. treatment she received was the “worst to ever to the Correctional Services Oversight and Investiga- “I think it’s a good start in order to get some come before a human rights tribunal.” tions Unit. change going on in the way people are treated. I As a result of the settlement, the ministry will also Nearly all of the 4,758 complaints received about hope that others after me won’t have to go through become more transparent. They will revise the the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional this and that people who have experienced this will handbook that is provided to inmates to include Services came from the province’s jails, which made come forward with their stories,” she said. prisoner rights and ministry policies, and will post up 95% of the cases. Jahn alleged that the Ottawa-Carleton Detention the document online. Overall, more than 19,000 complaints and inquiries Centre discriminated against her on the grounds of Neither has ever before been done, and Jahn com- were received. mental illness and gender when they denied her plained that the ministry refused to provide her cancer medication, left the lights on in her cell night with such information while she was detained. Danielle Bell, Ottawa Sun - Jul 24, 2013

10 FALL 2013 - CELL COUNT Family of Dead Inmate Suing danger to others,” it says. The family Corrections Canada for $10 million claims the Wareham’s self-injury was more frequent during periods of restraint The family of an inmate who died after repeatedly and seclusion. cutting himself in prison is taking the Correctional The documents also say CSC failed to Service of Canada to court, as the system grapples provide competent and reasonable health with mentally-ill prisoners and a huge increase in care. The family claims CSC never com- self-harm behind bars. pleted a comprehensive clinical manage- The $10-million lawsuit, which also names the ment plan for Wareham or addressed the federal public safety minister and top CSC officials, underlying issues that caused him to self- comes in the midst of a high-profile Ontario coro- harm. ner’s inquest into New Brunswick teenage inmate The family argues negligence, infliction of Ashley Smith, who choked herself to death in 2007 mental suffering and psychiatric damage, as guards stood outside her cell on orders and abuse of public office, false imprisonment watched. The inquest has heard that Smith repeat- and breach of fiduciary duty. tripled in the past five years, Sapers’ office reported edly choked herself throughout her 11-month incar- None of the allegations have been proven in court. in October 2012. ceration. A spokeswoman for the Correctional Service of “Mr. Wareham’s death is still very important and “There isn’t simply one or two Ashley Smiths in the Canada said it would be inappropriate to comment very relevant to keep in mind because he died as a system,” Toronto lawyer Julian Falconer, who is on a case before the courts. result of complications arising from his self-injurious representing both families, said in an interview. Many of the claims are corroborated by the Correc- behaviour, and self injury in federal prisons has “There is an endemic inability on the part of the tional Investigator Howard Sapers, who wrote a grown so much,” Sapers said in an interview. Correctional Service to be able to manage people letter to CSC Commissioner Don Head in 2011 He said, just as in the case of Smith, Wareham’s with serious mental health issues and what we see following a national board of investigation report on death speaks to a handful of inmates the prison time and again is people needlessly suffering, stuck Wareham’s death. The report is standard proce- system simply cannot handle, and who belong in in a system never designed to support them and dure when an inmate dies in custody. outside treatment facilities. ultimately hidden away out of public view.” “This report is especially important given that many “That’s not to say their criminal behaviour should Glen Wareham was 28 when he died in Moncton of the documented failures occurred two years after be excused,” said Sapers. Hospital on April 29, 2010 after serving six years the death of Ashley Smith,” says the letter. “These cases almost always end tragically. Is it time in federal custody. But the prison system says it is doing enough. we sought alternative ways to safely house and Wareham’s mother, Heather Locke, was by his side CSC spokeswoman Christa McGregor said in an manage some individuals?” when he died. email that Corrections takes the death of an in- For her part, Locke says she is raising the issue “I’m angry, I’m frustrated and I’m just so disgusted mate seriously, and a review and investigation take because she hopes what happened to her son with the system,” said 59-year-old Locke, who lives place after an inmate dies. never happens again. Even after he was placed in a in Cape Breton, N.B. She said CSC has a comprehensive mental health prison psychiatric care facility, she says Wareham “How many more are in there and how many more strategy and interventions are provided to offenders continued to harm himself. [are] going to go down the same road that he had based on their individual needs. “I thought that he was in the best hands and I to travel?” “Self-injury is a complex concern that requires a thought things were going to be okay, and once he Wareham began his 12-year sentence in 2003 for comprehensive and multifaceted approach,” said got there that we would be able to determine why a number of crimes including armed robbery and McGregor. “Because this behaviour is a symptom, is he doing this, and what can we do to stop it?” uttering death threats. not an illness itself, CSC manages each incident of she said. According to a statement of claim filed by Ware- self-injury, and more importantly, engages each “I never did get what they promised.” ham’s family, his self-injury began while in custody individual in interventions that target the specific as a youth and within 24 hours of his federal sen- underlying cause.” Laura Stone tence. He served his time at three prisons, including She said the Commissioner’s Directive on self-injury Global News the Shepody Healing Centre, one of five regional was updated in July 2011 and provides staff with July 4, 2013 treatment centres operated by CSC that offer psy- specific direction for managing offenders who ex- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ chiatric units for prisoners. hibit suicidal or self-injurious behaviour. But despite that, Wareham’s family says he never The CSC also established regional suicide/self-injury Putting Time on Your Side got the treatment he needed. prevention management committees in April 2010, His mother said he would swallow objects such as the month Wareham died. Provincial Inst. - Ontario glass, razor blades and cans, and he began cutting Since 2006, McGregor said the government has - Conditional upon your Volunteer Coordina- his genitals and abdomen, requiring some 90 sur- invested nearly $90 million in mental health care tor’s approval. geries. A source familiar with the file said Ware- for offenders and trained approximately 8,900 - High School courses are $30 each. If your ham would cut himself so deeply he would pull out staff. final grade is 70+ - you get your money back! his own intestines. Wareham served part of his McGregor said CSC works in partnership with the - Independent Learning Correspondence (ILC) sentence in hospital and died from complications Mental Health Commission, and other correctional - No funds? Give John Howard Society a try. resulting from dehydration, lawyers said. and mental health groups, to provide services for - Amadeus - Adult Learning Wareham’s family argues his treatment in federal federal offenders. - General Education Diploma (GED) custody violated CSC’s own policy and the law. “CSC is committed to maintaining and expanding “The actions and omissions of the defendants im- community partnerships in the area of mental Federal Inst. - Ontario peded Glen’s care and treatment, aggravated his health where community capacity exists and is Queen’s University self-harming behaviours, and ultimately resulted in continuously looking to enhance prevention and PO & PO2 his death,” reads the statement of claim. intervention strategies, in order to respond to the The family, which includes two sisters and a issue of offender suicide and self-injury,” she said. What are the educational opportunities inside for brother, claims Wareham was unlawfully detained But Sapers says Wareham’s case points to the your province? Send in any info for the next Issue! in maximum-security custody under almost continu- difficulty prisons have in managing mentally ill in- ous restraint, and that it was not justifiable. “While mates, and underscores a troubling trend in correc- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Glen was a danger to himself, he was in no way a tions. The number of self-injury incidents has almost

CELL COUNT - FALL 2013 11 New Case Shows Challenge of Luckily, a prison supervisor who had left his position deeper digging. And we’re all aware of the over- Litigating Prison Assaults was willing to write a statement. crowding issues in the provincial prisons. The lawyers were also able to find a record reveal- “But the resource limitations don’t relieve the Assaults among prisoners at Ontario jails are com- ing that Ogima was a known dangerous offender. Crown of its duty of care to the inmates in its cus- mon, but a recent case demonstrates the chal- “He’d beaten up an elderly prisoner seven to 10 tody.” lenges lawyers face in proving liability for inmate days before the assault [on Melvin],” says Brown. The case is also likely to be of interest to personal incidents. Gillian Hnatiw, a personal injury lawyer at Lerners injury lawyers whose clients reject advice to take a For a start, successfully proving prison officials LLP, says this kind of information can be key in structured settlement instead of a lump sum. failed in their duty of care and are liable for injuries proving that the Crown has failed in its duty of Melvin’s litigation guardian and mother decided she can be challenging, especially given the resources at care. didn’t wish to follow the advice of her solicitors to the Crown’s disposal. “You’re putting a vulnerable person in a cage with place $366,882 in a structure that would increase And while bringing a personal injury case against an someone who’s known to be extremely violent. It’s by one per cent, compounded, each year. attacker could be straightforward to prove, impris- a perfect recipe for an assault of this nature,” she The lawyers referred the settlement decision to the oned defendants — by the nature of their situation says. Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee that — may be unable to pay significant damages. Because prisoners are relatively powerless, the recommended the structure as the best use of the The recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice deci- Crown has a significant duty to anticipate trouble funds. sion, Melvin v. Ontario (Correctional Services), dem- and intervene on inmates’ behalf, she notes. “Prison In a letter to Shaw dated Feb. 13, 2013, the office onstrates the challenges involved in litigating a is a unique environment because there’s no way of wrote: “A structured settlement, professionally prisoner-on-prisoner assault. knowing your cellmate’s history or doing anything arranged, enjoys the advantages of tax-free income It also shows, however, that those prepared to take about it.” to the injured person, with predictable monthly on the Crown against the odds can achieve consid- The number of assaults on prisoners by other in- payments for future care. erable success for their clients. mates is increasing. “To the contrary, a lump-sum payment is subject to The case stemmed from an incident in 1997 when Figures provided to Law Times by the Ministry of the investment expertise of the person to whom the two inmates, David Ogima and John Davis, as- Community Safety and Correctional Services show funds are entrusted, or anyone they hire, and any saulted Thomas Melvin, an inmate at the district that in 2009, there were 2,552 inmate-on-inmate income earned on the settlement finds is taxable as jail in Thunder Bay, Ont. assaults in Ontario prisons. income to the injured person.” Melvin suffered a serious head injury and had to The number has climbed steadily each year since to Shaw agreed that a structured settlement protected undergo a craniotomy, a procedure that involves 3,153 assaults in 2012. Melvin’s interests. removing part of the bone from the skull to expose There are no readily available figures on the num- Kwinter says it’s not uncommon for plaintiffs to the brain. ber of assaults that have resulted in serious harm reject advice to put settlement money into a struc- An action against Ogima, Davis, and the Crown or required medical treatment. ture. began in 2003. Lawyer Richard Courtis and law Some observers blame overcrowding for heighten- It’s vital to put this advice in writing in case plain- firm Thomson Rogers represented Melvin as co- ing tensions among inmates. According to ministry tiffs later change their minds and decide to sue the counsel. statistics released in July, overcrowding is a problem lawyer, he warns. The Crown agreed to a $750,000 settlement in in half of the province’s prisons. “We get very carefully written instructions pointing June 2012. But the increase in assaults doesn’t seem to be out that we have given advice and the person has On Aug. 23, 2013, the Ontario Superior Court of leading to a corresponding rise in settlements or rejected it,” says Kwinter. Justice released a decision that ordered payment as trials. There appear to be few, if any, cases in Canada a structured settlement. It also approved the legal According to Shaw’s judgment, Brown had been where someone has sued a lawyer on these fees charged by Melvin’s counsel that amounted to “repeatedly told by counsel for the Crown that the grounds. But a 1990 U.S. case, Grillo v. Pettiete, about $240,000. Crown had never settled a claim in respect of a provides fuel for Kwinter’s warning. Justice Douglas Shaw praised the lawyers for taking prisoner [on] prisoner assault.” In the medical negligence case, the court awarded on a file that lasted nine years “with no guarantee Alf Kwinter, founding partner at Singer Kwinter, a $2.5-million cash payment after a child suffered that they would ever recover their time or disburse- says the alleged statement by the Crown is pure severe injuries during birth. The defendants had ments.” bluff and describes it as “nonsense.” offered a structured settlement that could have The disbursements had come to about $80,000 But he admits that representing plaintiffs in these paid out more than $100 million over the child’s and the legal fees represented a 29-per-cent reduc- types of cases is “tough” as the province must only lifetime. tion from the docketed time. show it has taken reasonable steps to protect those When the cash payment was gone within a few The lawyers had faced “an uphill battle on liability” in its care and “no one is held to a standard of years, the child’s family sued the former attorney but “achieved a very good result,” Shaw stressed in perfection.” and former guardian, who were jointly ordered to his decision. However, there would be an access to justice issue pay $4.1 million. Underlining the victory, he stated: “The case was if no lawyers were willing to take on these files, he Regarding Melvin, Brown says he was simply rec- vigorously defended by the Crown, with virtually says. ommending what he felt was in Melvin’s best inter- unlimited resources.” Hnatiw says she’d never agree to represent a pris- ests rather than pre-empting a potential lawsuit. One of Melvin’s lawyers, Thomson Rogers partner oner who was only launching a claim against an- “It was more about an obligation to a client who’s Craig Brown, acknowledges that persistence is other inmate and not the Crown. without capacity,” he says, noting he was happy important when it comes to representing plaintiffs “That person [the accused] probably doesn’t have with the overall outcome of the case. assaulted by fellow inmates. a great deal of assets to go after,” she notes. “I think Justice Shaw did the right thing,” he adds. “It’s a hothouse area in that there aren’t many “And you’re still out of pocket for your legal fees cases,” he says. There were three mediations be- and disbursements, not to mention the emotional Charlotte Santry fore the case settled. toll.” Law Times News Part of the challenge was showing that the harm She says Melvin provides an important lesson for Sep 09, 2013 sustained by Melvin was due to the assault and lawyers considering taking on a case against the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ didn’t relate to his extensive pre-accident medical Crown. history, says Brown. “We learn to not be intimidated just because we’re The truth will set you free, but first it will piss To prove the Crown was liable, he and Courtis had looking at naming the correctional services as a you off.” to show the province had failed to behave reasona- defender,” she says. - Gloria Steinem bly in its duty to look after the people in its care. She adds: “Sometimes it may require a bit of

12 FALL 2013 - CELL COUNT Federal Inmates Go On that would not generate much opposition. mates returned to their cells at 10 p.m. Strike to Protest Pay Cuts “There has been no adjustment in the rate of com- Some have been on a hunger strike since Wednes- pensation since 1981 and we all know how much day morning, the Star has learned. Inmates in several federal prisons across Canada more expensive things have become,” said Sapers. “Basically, they were upset they had no access to have gone on strike to protest against a 30 per “Writing a letter home, sending a birthday card to anything, their family, legal counsel or any recrea- cent cut in their pay that took effect this week. a child, sending a Christmas card, being able to buy tional program,” said a source who was informed The government began deducting the money from personal hygiene articles, non-prescription drugs for about the situation. prisoners’ paycheques as part of a move to recover inmates who suffer from skin conditions, eye drops The detainees, deemed a flight risk while awaiting costs under the federal government’s Deficit Reduc- for older offenders … inmates don’t expect the deportation, have complained about not being able tion Action Plan. The move was first announced in taxpayer to pay for that, they purchase those them- to make phone calls to lawyers and families, fre- May 2012 by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. selves but they need to have a source of funds to quent lockdowns due to short staff, and disregard Until now, the top pay an inmate could earn was purchase them.” of their dietary needs. $6.90 a day, but only a small percentage of in- Sapers said the move undermines the idea that “We have had a hard time communicating with our mates received that. The average is $3 a day. inmates should develop a good work ethic and save clients,” said Toronto immigration lawyer Guidy That rate was set up by the government in 1981. It for their release. “This really minimizes and jeop- Mamann, who has had about two dozen clients was based on a review by a parliamentary commit- ardizes the ability of an offender to come out of transferred to Lindsay. tee and it factored in a deduction from inmates for prison with any kind of a bank account whatso- “More than 45 per cent of the immigration (files) the cost of room, board and clothing at the time. ever.” are in Greater Toronto, and Lindsay is two hours No increase in three decades Along with the pay cut, the correctional service is from the city. The whole thing just makes no sense. Despite inflation, inmates have not had a pay raise also eliminating incentive pay for those prisoners It is a crazy situation.” in 32 years, even though the Correctional Service of who work for CORCAN, a program in many prisons The border service agency did not respond to the Canada's own figures show costs have risen more where inmates make furniture and other items that Star’s request for comment. than 700 per cent. As well, inmates are now ex- are sold on contracts to government departments The Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and pected to use their pay to purchase items that the and the public. Inmates who worked Correctional Services confirmed that 191 immigra- prison no longer provides, such as soap, shampoo, at CORCAN were able to earn extra money in tion detainees have been moved to the Lindsay deodorant, stationery and stamps. order to meet production quotas. That too has facility, and described Tuesday’s action as “a “People are just saying enough is enough, they’re been cancelled. peaceful protest.” just barely getting by now,” said John Curcio, chair “I don’t see a valid correctional objective to this, “ “A pod at the facility recently underwent renova- of the inmate committee at Bath Institution, a said Todd Sloan, a lawyer who represents several tions and is now complete … it made sense logisti- medium security prison west of Kingston, Ont. inmate committees in Ontario prisons. ‘People are cally to use the newly renovated pod to house the Inmates there refused to go to work Tuesday as a basically furious,” he said. “There are people who immigration holds,” ministry spokesperson Greg protest. “A lot of these guys send their money have worked for years and years to earn their way Flood explained in an email. home.,” he said. “We can’t help our families or (in prison) into a situation where they can earn However, the move has caused havoc for families, save for the future.” some relatively speaking decent wages and learn a said a Toronto woman whose 28-year-old son was Curcio said the government is double dipping, trade and now that is all being thrown out from transferred there Aug. 10 from Toronto West, on by deducting 30 per cent of inmate's pay when it under them.” Disco Rd. already factors in the cost of room and board. “We Inmates who spoke to CBC News say they don’t “It takes me an hour and 48 minutes one way to should get a raise instead of a cut.” know how long their protests will continue. While travel to Lindsay to see my son. It costs me so He said the Harper government has adopted a they are on strike, inmates jobs such as food prepa- much money in gas. And when I get there, I only “tough on crime approach but what about rehabili- ration, administrative support, cleaning and gar- get to see him for 10 minutes,” said the woman, tation?” bage collection is being done by correctional ser- who asked not to be identified for fear of repercus- At Fenbrook Institution, a medium security prison vice staff. sions to her son. near Gravenhurst, Ont., inmates also stayed away A spokesperson for the correctional service told “Before, when my son was in Toronto, he could call from work. Greg McMaster, inmate committee CBC in an email that inmates can participate in me on collect for $1 per call. Now, I’m charged by chair, said the prisoners are frustrated and angry peaceful protests, but they will not be paid as long the minute to talk to him. They have made it so about the cumulative effects of the harsh meas- as they are not working or following their correc- expensive and difficult. They are forcing the in- ures brought in by the Harper government in re- tional programs. mates into isolation from the outside world.” cent years. The inmates’ relocation has also presented hurdles “They are feeling the crushing effects of longer Maureen Brosnahan for lawyers who want to prepare them for legal sentences, double bunking and now this,” he said. CBC News - Oct 01, 2013 proceedings, said Mario Bellissimo, chair of the “We’ve had no recreation budget for the past three ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Canadian Bar Association’s immigration section. years and the infrastructure is crumbling. Immigration Detainees in Lindsay Jail Immigration detainees are entitled to a monthly “We can’t even afford to bring our families in for a Stage Protest and Hunger Strike detention review and video-conferencing is not an family visit. And now many of us won’t be able to ideal substitute for an in-person hearing with law- afford phone contact with our families,” he said. GTA immigration detainees recently transferred to yers present, he said. “It’s just one thing after another.” a jail in Lindsay, Ont., held a protest and staged a “It is just highly inconvenient … causing more de- According to correctional service figures, the move hunger strike this week over what they describe as lays and increasing legal costs. This is not good for will save about $4 million a year out of the total unfair treatment. anyone in the system,” said Bellissimo, who hopes budget of more than $2.6 billion. About 200 inmates being held in Greater Toronto officials can keep Toronto West open till the new 'Nickel and dime' changes have been relocated to the Central East Correc- Mimico facility is ready to operate. However, offi- Canada’s correctional investigator, the ombudsman tional Centre since August because of a coming cials maintained that families and lawyers continue for prisons, called the move insensitive and short- closure of the Toronto West Detention Centre, a to have access to inmates. sighted. move critics say isolates the detainees and keeps Flood confirmed a meeting is scheduled Friday “My response to the correctional service was that them from receiving help and support. between ministry and border officials about the this was really picking at low-hanging fruit,” said The detainees staged the protest at 11 a.m. Tues- event, but would not disclose the agenda. Howard Sapers, who has called in the past for an day, according to a memo from the Lindsay facil- increase in inm ate pay to reflect modern costs. He ity’s administration to the Canada Border Service Nicholas Keung called these latest cuts “nickel and dime” changes Agency. Negotiators were brought in and the in- Toronto Star, Sep 20, 2013

CELL COUNT - FALL 2013 13 Jail System Must Change Approach to physical restraints should be applied as a last resort Prison Justice Day Self-harming Inmates, Ombudsman says and for the shortest time necessary to manage the risk of self-harm. This should be controlled and For all those people, locked up inside The number of self-injury incidents in federal peni- overseen by health-care professionals, not security And out of respect, for those that died tentiaries has more than tripled since teenager personnel, the report adds. We take this day, of August 10 th Ashley Smith choked to death in a prison cell in The Correctional Service had no immediate com- In remembrance, of all of them 2007, a federal ombudsman says. ment. We refuse to work, and fast all day A report from the Correctional Investigator of Can- Liberal critic Wayne Easter pointed out that last To honour the struggle, that prisoners face ada calls on the federal prison service to treat March then-public safety minister Vic Toews ac- We’ve seen men beaten and demeaned chronic self-injury first and foremost as a mental knowledged there are people in prison who do not By the guards, in the penitentiary health concern, not a security or control issue. belong there because of their mental state. We have few rights, if any at all There were 901 incidents of recorded prison self- “While the government’s own rhetoric shows it has Behind the wire and the walls injury involving 264 offenders in 2012-13, says grasped the root of the issue, it has also deliber- And those few rights, we do enjoy! Correctional Investigator Howard Sapers. ately failed to take measures to address the grow- Bother politicians, and make them annoyed Self-injury, including cutting, head-banging and self- ing problem,” Easter said in a statement. I’ve seen men broken, time and again strangulation, involves inordinate numbers of abo- Because they let, the time do them riginal women inmates, found the study released Ottawa - The Canadian Press I’ve seen men lost, bound by chains Monday. Sep 30, 2013 With tombstone eyes, filled with hate! Aboriginal women accounted for nearly 45 per cent ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Let us recall, all their pain! of all self-injury incidents involving female prisoners. Inmates Stage Hunger Strike Stand united, Prison Justice Day Since 2005, the Correctional Service of Canada has Over Bad Food spent approximately $90 million in new funding to Harry Gaucher strengthen mental health services, implement com- BROCKVILLE, ONT. - Several inmates at the Brock- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ puterized mental health screening at admission, ville Jail began a hunger strike Monday to protest Prisoners Justice Day 2013 train front-line staff and improve community part- the jail's food, with expired bologna being the last nerships, the report notes. straw. As I look back on my years in jail “Nevertheless, these initiatives have resulted in little The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional I think of all the people I knew substantive progress since the death of Ashley Services on Monday afternoon confirmed the hun- I think of all the people who died Smith in October 2007 with respect to the man- ger strike is taking place at the city jail. The ones we called god’s chosen few agement and treatment of chronic self-injurious “Several inmates are currently on a hunger strike Sleep well my brothers & sisters women in federal custody. because they were not satisfied with the meals they For I remember what you did “A number of key policy, capacity, operational and were provided on the weekend,” spokesman Brent Stepping up against inhumane treatment infrastructure challenges remain.” Ross wrote in an e-mail to QMI Agency. While the rest of us only hid Pepper spray, physical handling and restraints are “The ministry is monitoring the situation.” Now we tell about the cruelty you suffered commonly used in an attempt to interrupt or pre- Samantha White, whose boyfriend is in the jail, said We talk about the price you had to pay vent prison self-injury, the study found. inmates are protesting being served food that is In order to change a system However, these approaches often simply contain or months past the expiry date. That was going the other way reduce the immediate risk of harm, it says. They do “The meal trays in general are expired. They have No more beatings with the paddle not — nor are they intended to — deal with the due date stickers on them and they're from three No more welts upon your back underlying symptoms of mental illness apparent in months ago,” White said. “You can't give someone No more being put in a cold dark cell many cases. a meal that's three months old.” Where all you see is black In addition, such offenders are frequently removed White said her boyfriend, Wade Box, hasn't eaten No more screaming in the night from the main prison population, even though in two days and the facility is under lockdown be- No more shedding silent tears isolating an inmate can accelerate the harmful cause of the strike. The lockdown was put in place We can only imagine what you went through behaviour, the study says. Monday morning, White said. We can only imagine your fears “Self-injurious offenders are hesitant to disclose “He called this morning and said not to be expect- You all paid the ultimate payment thoughts of self-harm for fear of punishment or ing any phone calls because the guards came in You all made the ultimate sacrifice placement in segregation.” this morning and said that they were putting them All of you laid down your lives for us The report concludes prisons are ill-equipped to all on lockdown,” White said. So we could have a better life safely manage the complex mental health needs of During lockdown periods, inmates cannot use the federally sentenced women who chronically self- phone and are rarely allowed outside of their cells. Cecil Munro injure. However, Ross said late Monday afternoon that the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Staff admitted that they were often too busy com- lockdown has been lifted. pleting paperwork and addressing crises to engage White said she called public health inspectors, who Life is a process of becoming, a combination of in therapeutic counselling sessions with inmates,” told her they would investigate, but Ross said in- states we have to go through. Where people says the report. mates are provided adequate meals. fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain “Three women identified their psychologist as “The ministry provides healthy balanced meals to in it. This is a kind of death. someone they could go to for support, but they all of its inmates in accordance with the Canada - Anais Nin noted that when they engaged in self-injury, it was Food Guide,” he said. security, not clinical staff, who responded.” White said the hunger strike began after inmates It takes a real storm in the average person's life Still the Correctional Service makes limited use of reached a breaking point when served months- to make him realize how much worrying he has transfer of complex-needs cases to external psychi- expired bologna over the weekend. done over the squalls. atric facilities. The exact number of inmates involved in the hun- - Bruce Barton The report recommends the prison system end the ger strike is unknown, but White said five or six practice of putting at-risk inmates in solitary con- ranges of inmates are refusing to eat their meals. When you go into court you are putting your finement and transfer the most troubled cases to fate into the hands of twelve people who were- community psych iatric facilities. Alanah Duffy, QMI Agency n't smart enough to get out of jury duty. It says that in cases of self-injury in federal prison, Toronto Sun - Jul 29, 2013 - Norm Crosby

14 FALL 2013 - CELL COUNT Disarming Skills Heist Sometimes

Mornings in prison are pale in comparison to wak- I’m able to perceive Sometimes when you set a goal ing up under a train bridge in January after a sound As mice in traps Your expectations are too high ass-kicking. Almost all of the gratuitous violence I That canvas & art But if you choose to brace yourself have witnessed or partaken in takes place before Paint a 4th dimension Your limits can reach the sky lunch. Thy brush .. Sometimes when you think too much Closer to all my feelings, peace is also very near in The traps have cheese Your brain will overload the morning. Along with sadness and fear, the And bait made deceive So take a minute & just relax mornings inside I abhor. One stroke and so And follow your own road The kaleidoscope of emotions and feelings every A masterpiece hangs Cuz nothing’s handed down to you morning in jail is the cause and the solution for how The imagination You need to realize to interact with the rest of my waking hours. Two artists formulated Just look into that mirror right there Emotions expressed, feelings felt, the rest of my Pictures from the future And look into your eyes day I spend purposely withdrawn, detached. Thus a Déjà Vu existed You’ll understand when you do see In the evening before I close my eyes, my mind Even for a mouse That stress upon your face wanders to the bone-shattering cold of the Cana- A tale .. One day it will just go away dian winter; my heart longs for a sound ass-kicking So it’s crystal clear So go at your own pace and a train bridge to sleep under. Why act in awe Sometimes you are just gonna rush Perception is increased Into a world unknown Justin Primmer With hues like orange But please do take a minute or two ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In traps .. And see how you will overlook The Joint .. and walls The things that’s said or done But chill, take time, & just sit back Freedom, oh sweet freedom has been a long time Larry Cardinal And prepare for what will come! coming ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And I am held prisoner against my will The Sudbury D.J. (my friend) Jody Duczminski And it seems all my life I’ve been running ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And now time’s standing still Hey bro, Patience I hear the echo of steel doors slamming on the tiers I just wanted you to know And men crying all alone in their cells That I’m headed down below They want me to be And I’m not ashamed as I myself have shed tears What they wanted to see For we’re all human beings inside this man-made So take care But I forced their hand hell And although we may meet again And they tightened the band 13&1/2: twelve jurors, one judge & half a chance In that place they built for sins Shackled and chained And this judicial system is corrupt & cruel Or out where the sun will never dim Like a lion un-maned The puppet master pulls the strings to make us As the storm settles in dance But if such a place were true I become empty within And here we are students in this criminal school It was not meant for me or you With pain and with fear Tied to the whipping post with shackles ‘n chains And while the latter sure sounds nice I stay trapped in torment We bear the burden & expect no mercy Admitted, darkness is our vice But with no one to hear As the whip finds its mark again & again I stay and lay dormant And the sweat pours & we bleed So if the former will have to do In pictures I live At least I had the chance to get to know you I hold them so dear Gary Cormier I’ll take what they give ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So until the end … Because freedom is near Bucket Adieu. I’ll see you in hell my friend When I return I’ll be a better man Up in this cell, the Bucket from hell Craig Bigras That old life I’ll burn I’ll finish my time, & I’ll be just fine ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I promise I can Fuck the phone call, don’t need fuck all Redemption So I’ll be at the gate Fuck the letter, I’ll make myself better Till they set me free Broken promises, those spoken words And patiently wait In my cell alone, every day just one I chose neither, either one of those Till it’s just you and me! Me, myself & I, is all I need to get by So away I go yet for a time Man-up, buck-up, solid & straight up That no one knows, just suits me fine Bucky Hill I’ll do my own shit, & finish this bit Seasons pass, the cold wind blows ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I look out while life goes on Then when I walk, people gonna talk And passes by my own window There are well-dressed foolish ideas just as But I got my bros, & everyone knows As time moves on, they’ll all forget there are well-dressed fools. It’s all good, just as it should But I’ll remember with no regret - Diane Ackerman Life goes on, the same old song Watch, I’ll be back, like a ghost I’ll re-appear And strike back at my enemy Liars - especially liars in power - often conflate Angela Duchene I have no fear their interest with the public interest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Don’t shed no tear - Wendy Kaminer Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other per son to die. Rob Sinko The biggest sin is sitting on your ass. - Malachy McCourt ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - Florynce Kennedy

CELL COUNT - FALL 2013 15 I Believe Windy Hollow The Hole

I believe you can find love after death I stand with my back in the wind The last of this night is cold A mother’s love is unconditional So I could feel like my life is moving forward Laying down upon my bed Lifers can feel freedom again But it gets harder after every morning The noise that’s constant in the halls Never ever rat 2 get ahead The soft breeze used to remind me Proceeds to ring inside my head Move to another city That there’s more to this world Where you don’t know anybody Than all this concrete and steel The cemented walls encase my tomb Or your way around But as the days blur by A tiny window on my door Start new It becomes clear to me With artificial light shining down Laugh at yourself That I’m far behind Reflecting off my cold damp floor Always give back to the hood Now I can’t even tell you What the reminiscences once were In this hole that is my grave Tania Ross The gusts turned to bursts of cold All hope has long been gone ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Which told me it’s the end of the road Just fill it to the top with dirt War Cry And that I have to go it alone And let the outside world move on I even listen to the wind If you’re wrong, then you’re wrong As it howls and moans Just let me be asleep in peace But, if you’re right then you’re right Hoping it would carry an answer And leave my body to rot alone Keep face. Show heart. To one of my prayers For I have been tormented at least Dignity is worth the fight But it becomes bleak and dusky For as long as I have known To win, or to lose Telling me the same thing My head, way up high That it’s a path only one could travel Just let the dirt encompass me Respected for what I have shown Even though it’s walked by many And let the noise die down Solidarity, heart and respect For now I lay deep down inside Is all that I have known Toby Land My tomb beneath the ground Which can’t be taken by any man ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If feet in shoes, and that I show Untitled Neil Kehler For what is wrong, is wrong ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And now it is right, am I not right? I sit and ponder a lie Farewell to a Friend Now more than ever While the sun hustles across the sky My heart is as always, filled with pride Almost a score and a half years A Native brother to the bone For what does not kill There have been very few tears He had a heart of gold Will only make you stronger I’m knowing the silent bliss Through which his chest it shone So I say, as always Of conformity’s kiss He was down for whatever Show face, show heart He was willing to ride the tide And put up a fight Robert Ulok He’d bang it out with anyone When you know, you’re in the right! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He was so full of pride So let it be known As The Smoke Clears But, he had one small sickness That this, is the convicts anthem He loved to feel the steel As the smoke clears He looked for enjoyment Aaron Montgomery I see no more pain And found it in a pill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No more running in circles We found him o-d’d What If But I’ll still be insane And into a coma he fell The deafening silence But he fought it like a champ What if I wasn’t born No more knocks at the door And he broke its motherfucken spell! What if I wasn’t scorned No more click of a gun But something changed inside of him What if I didn’t hit kids at school Trying to even a score And something tremendously hurt? What if I didn’t try to drown the cat in the pool My hands move much faster So he said fuck this & the world What if I got better grades With the weight of less gold And he dove for the dirt What if I hung out with kids my own age Not to mention my shoulders We all love you Matty What if I played sports With less burden to hold You’re an eagle now What if I didn’t get caught stealing shorts No worry of cops screaming So soar high What if I behaved & didn’t get sent away ‘Hands in the air!’ And in memory of you Matty What if I stayed at the Group Home, instead I ran Actually, who am I kidding? We raise our banger fists to the sky! away That fear is still there Sleep well brother What if I listened to my grandfather Arms can be used What if I didn’t bother to rob her To engage in a hug Jeremy Hall What if I wasn’t sitting in this cell Cause they’re no longer busy In memory of Matthew Owl What if I wasn’t headed for hell Engaged in a drug ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What if I could take it all back As I free my addictions What if my mother hadn’t hung herself And I wipe my last tears Tragedy is more important than love. Out of all What if … It’s a whole new world human events, it is tragedy alone that brings As the smoke clears people out of their own petty desires and into Justin Walker awareness of other humans’ suffering. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Randi Muhlfellner - C.S. Lewis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

16 FALL 2013 - CELL COUNT 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 - FALL 2013 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 keep it clean. If you get a fever, chills, ex- ♦ shoot in the direction of your heart 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! Cotton fever happens when a piece of the PLACES TO SHOOT ONLY IF YOU HAVE TO filter gets sucked into the syringe and in- Veins in the hands and feet are fragile and will hurt, inject slowly into these areas. Inject slowly into the jected into your blood. Within hours, you veins behind your knees also and be careful of the artery that runs next to the vein. 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 that won’t mix with water. These pieces can ♦ don’t lick the bubble off the top of the point 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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CELL COUNT - FALL 2013 19 - R E S O U R C E S -

EAST COAST AIDS COMMITTEE of NORTH BAY and AREA HIV EDMONTON

201-269 Main St W, North Bay, P1B 2T8 705-497-3560 (Collect) 9702 111 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T5G 0B1 AIDS COALITION of CAPE BRETON 1-877-388-5742, 780-488-5742 (Collect) 150 Bentinck St, Sydney, NS, B1P 1G6 902-567-1766 AIDS COMMITTE of OTTAWA

700-251 Bank St, Ottawa, K2P 1X3 613-238-5014 (Collect) KIMAMOW ATOSKANOW FOUNDATION AIDS COALITION of NOVA SCOTIA RR 1, Site 1, Box 133, Onoway, AB, T0E 1V0 1675 Bedford Row, Halifax, NS, B3J 1T1 AIDS COMMITTEE of THUNDER BAY 1-866-971-7233, 780-913-9036 1-800-566-2437, 902-425-4882 574 Memorial Ave, Thunder Bay, P7B 3Z2

1-800-488-5840, 807-345-1516 (Collect) NINE CIRCLES COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE AIDS COMMITTEE of NEWFOUNDLAND & 705 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3G 0X2 LABRADOR AIDS NIAGARA 1-888-305-8647, 204-940-6000 47 Janeway Place, St. John's, NL, A1A 1R7 1-800-563-1575 111 Church St, St Catharines, L2R 3C9 905-984-8684 PLWA NETWORK OF SASKATCHEWAN AIDS NEW BRUNSWICK ANISHNAWBE HEALTH AIDS PROGRAM Box 7123, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 4I1 306-373-7766 65 Brunswick St, Fredericton, NB, E3B 1G5 255 Queen St E, Toronto, M5A 1S4 416-360-0486 1-800-561-4009, 506-459-7518 PRINCE ALBERT METIS WOMEN'S ASSOC. ASIAN COMMUNITY AIDS SERVICE 54 10th St E, Prince Albert, SK, S6V 0Y5 306-763-5356 AIDS PEI 107-33 Isabella St, Toronto, M4Y 2P7 416-963-4300 (Collect) 2-375 University Ave, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4N4 902-566-2437 RED RIBBON PLACE BLACK COALITION for AIDS PREVENTION (ALL NATIONS HOPE AIDS NETWORK) AIDS SAINT JOHN 20 Victoria St, 4th Flr, Toronto, M5C 2N8 416-977-9955 (Collect) 2735 5th Ave, Regina, SK, S4T 0L2 306-924-8429, 1-877-210-7622 115 Hazen St, NB, E2L 3L3 506-652-2437 CANADIAN HIV/AIDS LEGAL NETWORK STREET CONNECTIONS HEALING OUR NATIONS 1240 Bay St #600, Toronto, M5R 2A7 416-595-1666 (Collect) 705 Broadway Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3G 0X2 204-940-2504 3-15 Alderney Dr, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 2N2 WOMEN: 50 Argyle, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0H6 204-943-6379 1-800-565-4255, 902-492-4255 FIFE HOUSE

490 Sherbourne St, 2nd Flr, Toronto, M4X 1K9 416-205-9888 MAINLINE NEEDLE EXCHANGE WEST COAST

5511 Cornwallis St, Halifax, NS, B3K 1B3 902-423-9991 HIV & AIDS LEGAL CLINIC OF ON. (HALCO) AIDS VANCOUVER ISLAND 65 Wellesley St E, Toronto, M4Y 1G7 1-888-705-8889 SHARP ADVICE NEEDLE EXCHANGE 713 Johnson St, 3rd Flr, Victoria, V8W 1M8 604-384-2366

150 Bentnick St, Sydney, NS, B1P 6H1 902-539-5556 (Collect) HIV/AIDS REGIONAL SERVICES (HARS) PLBC - PRISON OUTREACH PROJECT 844-A Princess St, Kingston, K7L 1G5 613-545-3698 (Collect) SIDA/AIDS MONCTON 1107 Seymour St, Vancouver, V6B 5S8 Toll Free: PROV - 604-525-8646 FED - 1-877-900-2437 80 Weldon St, Moncton, NB, E1C 5V8 506-859-9616 ONTARIO ABORIGINAL HIV/AIDS STRATEGY (#’s approved by institutions and are NOT Collect Calls) 844-A Princess St, Kingston, K7L 1G5 613-549-7540 (Collect) QUEBEC POSITIVE WOMEN’S NETWORK PEEL HIV/AIDS NETWORK 614-1033 Davie St, Vancouver, V6E 1M7 Toll Free: 1-866-692-3001 CACTUS 160 Traders Blvd, Unit 1, Mississauga, L4Z 3K7 1300 rue Sanguinet, Montreal, H2X 3E7 514-847-0067 1-866-896-8700, 905-361-0523 (Collect) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CENTRE for AIDS SERVICES MONTREAL PETERBOROUGH AIDS RESOURCE NETWORK For a more complete listing visit: (Women) 302-159 King St, Peterborough, K9J 2R8 1-800-361-2895, 705-932-9110 (Collect) www.pasan.org 1750 Rue Saint-Andre, 3rd Flr, Montreal, H2L 3T8

1-877-847-3636, 514-495-0990 —————— STREET HEALTH CENTRE email changes to: COALITION des ORGANISMES Hepatitis C Treatment Program 235 Wellington St, Kingston, K7K 0B5 613-549-1440 (Collect) [email protected] COMMUNAUTAIRES QUEBECOIS de LUTTE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTRE le SIDA (COCQSIDA) THE AIDS NETWORK 1 est, rue Sherbrooke, Montréal, H2X 3V8 514-844-2477 101-140 King St E, Hamilton, L8N 1B2 905-528-0854

COMITÉ des PERSONNES ATTEINTES du VIH du THE WORKS QUEBEC (CPAVIH) 277 Victoria St, Toronto, 416-392-0520 (Collect) 2075 rue Plessis bureau 310, Montreal, H2L 2Y4 1-800-927-2844 CELL TORONTO PWA FOUNDATION ONTARIO 200 Gerrard St E, 2nd Flr, Toronto, M5A 2E6 416-506-1400

2-SPIRITED PEOPLE of the 1ST NATIONS PRAIRIES COUNT 593 Yonge St, #202, Toronto, M4Y 1Z4 416-944-9300 AIDS CALGARY AFRICANS in PARTNERSHIP AGAINST AIDS 110-1603 10th Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T3C 0J7 403-508-2500 314 Jarvis St, Ste 101, Toronto, M5B 2C5 416-924-5256 FALL 2013 AIDS SASKATOON AIDS COMMITTEE of CAMBRIDGE, KITCHENER, 1143 Ave F N, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 1X1 WATERLOO & AREA 306-242-5005 1-800-667-6876 2B-625 King St E, Kitchener, N2G 4V4 519-570-3687 (Collect) ISSUE #71 CENTRAL ALBERTA AIDS NETWORK

AIDS COMMITTEE OF GUELPH 4611 50th Ave, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3Z9 403-346-8858 1-877-346-8858 (Alberta only) 89 Dawson Rd, Unit 113, Guelph, N1H 3X2 519-763-2255 (Collect) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PASAN 314 JARVIS ST, #100 <<< YOUR PAPER = YOUR TALENT >>> TORONTO, ON M5B 2C5 Whatcha got in there you’re tryin’ to hide? Hmm … ? Art, Poems, Stories, Opinion, News, PenPals, Whatever ... - Provincial Inst - Collect: 416-920-9567 Next Issue: #72 - Winter 2013/4 (Feb) - Federal Inst - Send your work in before Dec 15 Toll-Free: 1-866-224-9978

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