Commentary: COVID-19 Outbreak in Federal Prisons

Joseph Lauren Part 2: Post-custody Employment Challenges and Solutions

This episode raises some interesting issues: a. what is the best strategy for addressing the fact of a criminal record when dealing with a prospective employer: mention it up front or wait to be asked? b.  given the prejudicial effects of a criminal record, should Canada adopt 'right to be forgotten' approaches with social media? c.  given the challenges of finding an employer, should more efforts be made to help former prisoners start their own businesses and be self-employed? Check out the documentary "Collared" for more information about Joseph's crime and lessons learned.

Joseph Lauren: Post-custody Housing Challenges and Solutions

This episode raises some interesting issues: a) if people understood the unintended consequences of their crimes for others, would it have a deterrent effect? b)  should more be done in Canada to allow people to move beyond the stigma of a criminal record once the sentence for the crime has been completed? c) Can restorative justice principles ease the post-custody housing problem? Check out Joseph's documentary 'Collared': https://tenorfilms.com/collared/ [https://tenorfilms.com/collared/]

Commentary: COVID-19 and Unrest at Donnacona

As of the date of publishing this episode, we now know  that 2 federal prisoners have died of COVID-19, almost 300 federal prisoners tested positive (a rate 13 times higher than the general population in Canada), 5 penitentiaries are contaminated with COVID-19, 400 prisoners are being held in extreme conditions in medical isolation, and 100s more in cruel, prolonged solitary confinement-like conditions.  All visits by families, friends, and volunteers have stopped.  Programs have ended and prisoners are not able to make progress on correctional plans.  Temporary absences, both escorted and unescorted, have been suspended so progress toward being paroled for many has ceased.  Both prisoners and correctional staff are likely worried about contracting the virus. It is little wonder that tensions behind bars have increased. When tensions are high, is it more important to follow the protocols and attempt to de-escalate disputes before relying on force? Was the amount of force described by Mr. Farrier more than was appropriate in the circumstances? If the video tapes confirm that Mr. Farrier had his hands up and was attempting to comply with instructions when he was shot, what accountability and corrective action  is appropriate? Should the video tapes of such uses of force be made public?

Garry Glowacki: Part 2: Welcoming Prisoners Back - Community Support

Could restorative justice include making communities more welcoming and supportive of former prisoners returning to communities? What contribution can communities of faith make? Should MP Bragdon's Private Member's Bill be passed, what elements should be included in a federal framework to reduce recidivism?  You could contact your federal member of parliament if you support passage of this Bill: https://openparliament.ca/bills/43-1/C-228/ [https://openparliament.ca/bills/43-1/C-228/]

Commentary: COVID-19 Outbreak in Federal Prisons

There has been an alarming rate of increase in federal prisoners infected with COVID-19 at Mission Medium Institution. From April 10 to 11th, the reported confirmed cases of the virus rose from 25 to 35 prisoners, a 40% increase, with 5 prisoners being transported to a local hospital. Other federal prisons in Quebec and Ontario are also reporting COVID-19 among the staff and prisoners. Why was the federal government so slow to follow the advice of epidemiologists and safely reduce the number of prisoners? Why has there been so few prisoners actually tested for the virus? What is being done now to protect them and the community from COVID-19; and what further steps could be taken?