Be skeptical of rave Google reviews for Edmonton Remand, says ex-inmate
When it opened in 2013, the new Edmonton Remand Centre was billed as state of the art.
The 1,952-bed facility — Canada’s largest jail — is LEED-certified, has 55-video arraignment rooms for remote access to courts around the province, and offers academic upgrading, counselling and parenting courses.
And if Google is your guide, inmates agree. The Edmonton Remand has a stellar 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google reviews — better than the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald (4.4) and the Westin Edmonton (4.1), albeit with a tiny fraction of their reviews.
But one former inmate — and reviewer — says most of the praise is a tongue in cheek way for former guests to poke the system.
Jesse Chamberlain was most recently released from remand in late February, after being charged with assault, weapons offences, uttering threats, breaching a nocontact order and other crimes.
His glowing review: “Great beds, amazing food, comfy accommodations. Stayed 4 months it was so nice. 5 stars. Would recommend.”
Reached by phone, Chamberlain said that wasn’t quite the case.
“You get like one thin foam mattress that’s sunk into this concrete formation,” he said.
He realized Google allows reviews of the remand centre after searching for information about arranging a visit with a friend who’s being held at the jail. “I was like ‘This is hilarious,’ ” he said. “So I left a little funny one.”
Many of Canada’s correctional facilities have at least a few reviews on Google. Some appear to be earnest critiques from former inmates. Others are likely “cheeky inmates” like Chamberlain. One review on the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre (five stars) said: “FRCC is an awesome experience! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in escaping the pressures of everyday life! ”
Others are likely from people who have never been in jail (Toronto South Detention Centre, 2.1 stars: “Best prison to be in ever, must try.”).
Chamberlain, who’s been in two federal prisons and another provincial institution, said the new remand is a “very dehumanizing” place to be. But it wasn’t all bad.
“There are great guards there, I won’t lie, ” he said.