In June 2019, “Damage/Control: Use of force and the cycle of violence and trauma in BC’s federal and provincial prisons” was published by the West Coast Prison Justice Society/Prisoners’ Legal Services. The report analyzes law and policy governing the use of force by correctional officers in light of interviews with over 100 federal and provincial prisoners. The report finds that both CSC and BC Corrections officers use force in response to prisoners in emotional distress and as a tool to coerce compliance, even when there is no immediate risk to safety. It argues that relying on physical force in these circumstances creates an adversarial environment that compromises safety and wellbeing for both prisoners and staff.
87 search results
To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding strip searches and spit masks
Recommendation 81: Conduct an audit of the use of strip searches with a view to reducing or eliminating their use and the resulting humiliation and retraumatization of prisoners.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding strip searches and spit masks
Recommendation 82: Eliminate the use of spit masks.-
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To the Office of the Correctional Investigator
Recommendation 83: Interview prisoners as part of Correctional Investigator use of force reviews, particularly in cases where there is a need for heightened scrutiny (such as force against prisoners with mental health disabilities, force at treatment centres, uses of the ERT, cases involving potential misconduct, and force against prisoners who have been repeatedly subject to acts of force).-
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To the Office of the Correctional Investigator
Recommendation 84: Inform the prisoner when the Correctional Investigator use of force review identifies inappropriate conduct by officers and advise them of any findings or recommendations shared with CSC.-
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To the Government of Canada
Recommendation 85: Increase funding to the Office of the Correctional Investigator for use of force reviews to include prisoner interviews.-
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To the Government of Canada
Recommendation 86: Ensure that healthcare for federal prisoners is provided independently from CSC through partnerships with provincial ministries of health. Ensure funding is adequate to make this work.-
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To the Government of Canada
Recommendation 87: Provide funding to allow federal prisoners to be accommodated at provincial psychiatric hospitals when they require this level of care.-
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