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.
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Ableism
To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding prisoners with mental health needs
Recommendation 55: Develop an alternative model for identifying and responding to prisoners with mental health disabilities in crisis in partnership with mental health experts (including experts in forensic psychiatry) and people with lived experience. This includes prisoners in emotional distress (such as prisoners who are self-harming) as well as prisoners who are experiencing behavioural emergencies connected with their disabilities. These responses should be supportive and traumainformed rather than punitive.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding prisoners with mental health needs
Recommendation 57: Have senior mental health practitioners review all uses of force against prisoners with mental health disabilities.-
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To Correctional Service Canada
Regarding internal use of force reviews
Recommendation 69: Use of force reviews should identify the number of previous uses of force against the same prisoner. For prisoners who are repeatedly subject to force, develop a plan to reduce uses of force, in conjunction with a clinical team for prisoners with disabilities, and automatically review subsequent uses of force at the national level. If force is not reduced, conduct a national investigation.-
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