Living conditions at city jail substandard
A report by the provincial ombudsman is critical of what it describes as substandard living conditions at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre.
The report says investigators found cleanliness, maintenance and repairs to be lacking, particularly in specialized living units.
They also saw inmates using mattresses on the floor in the medical, holding, secure and remand units, as well as in dormitories.
The report notes that corrections officials told the ombudsman the sleeping arrangements were temporary. It also says that in some cells there was minimal space between where prisoners slept or ate and where they used the toilet, while some inmates told investigators they spent the bulk of their day in cramped living conditions.
Ombudsman Mary McFadyen made four recommendations for improvements, including drawing up detailed standards for physical living conditions at each of the province’s correctional centres.
She also suggested regular inspections to ensure jails are complying with those standards.
“For the most part, the Saskatoon Correctional Centre has run at or over its operational capacity since it opened 35 years ago,” said the report released Thursday. “While Corrections does not have control over how many people are remanded or sentenced to serve time in a provincial correctional centre, it does have control over the operation of these correctional centres.
“In our opinion, Corrections should establish minimally acceptable standards for inmate accommodations, beds/mattresses, privacy and the use and availability of toilets and showers — and it should ensure these standards are met.”
The Saskatoon Correctional Centre received attention in 2015 when inmates wrote an open letter to the media describing living conditions as inhumane and said overcrowding had increased violence.
Twice in 2016, inmates at the Regina Correctional Centre refused their food trays in protest over the quality. They also wanted 60 TV channels instead of 12 and more time outside their cells.
Premier Brad Wall said at the time that he had seen the menu and believed inmates were getting good choice and quality food. Justice officials said the request for more TV channels was a no-go. Thursday’s report said Corrections has accepted McFadyen’s recommendations and will work to improve living conditions in the jails.
The ombudsman found complaints about corrections facilities have increased by 55 per cent in the last two years. The Saskatoon Correctional Centre had 320 complaints in 2016; the Regina jail had 341 and the Prince Albert facility had 156.