 |
|
| In support of prisoners and prison justice activism in Canada | |
The Politics
of Prison
Current
Events & News. . . . .
home > current
events & news >article |
Investigation into N.B. youth jail raises serious concerns about conditions
April 12, 2008
The Canadian Press
FREDERICTON — Ombudsman Bernard Richard says an investigation into conditions at the Miramichi youth centre has raised serious concerns, but he declined Friday to offer details.
The child and youth advocate was tight-lipped about the findings, but said the youth jail should expect some major changes when the report is released next month.
"The jail system has become the default solution for youth suffering from mental health problems, mental illness or severe behaviour issues," Richard said. "We feel many youth are falling through the cracks and they will become a burden to society for all of their lives if we don’t start doing the right thing for them."An investigation into the centre began less than a year ago when a Moncton girl, Ashley Smith, was found unconscious and later died after a suicide attempt in an Ontario facility. The 19-year-old spent three years in the Miramichi facility.
"We wouldn’t be investigating if we didn’t have concerns about the treatment she received while at the centre in Miramichi," Richard said. "We will be suggesting changes not just to that centre, but to how we deal with the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the provisions of that Act in New Brunswick."Last month, a young inmate called the Fredericton Gleaner to voice his concerns about treatment at the centre. He said being in the centre was like living in hell. He complained of bugs in his cell, a lack of activity time, threats and spoiled food.
"I get it. We are incarcerated and are paying for what we did, but this is supposed to be a place that rehabilitates us," the young man told the newspaper. "People need to know what we’re going through in here. Even though we got ourselves in trouble, I think we should still have rights."
Richard has followed up on the young inmate’s concerns, but concluded there was no mistreatment in his case.
He said his sensitivity to complaints about the centre has heightened since beginning the Smith investigation, especially since reviewing some shocking video about her time at the centre.
Source Article:thechronicleherald.ca
Related Mainstream Articles:
Ombudsman calls for closure of youth detention centre (cbc.ca)
More on the death of Ashley Smith:
Prisoner death leads to firings, possible public inquiry (prisonjustice.ca)
Guards Charged in Woman's Death (prisonjustice.ca)