HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY AUTHORITIES

On May 9/12 the Waterloo Region Record carried this story "Inmates captive to rights abuses". The sub title was "Ashley Smith case could happen again, new U of T report finds." "The fact is there are still women imprisoned who are subject to long periods of segregation and uses of force despite their mental-health status" . Other inmates in similar situations as Ashley Smith were described "...sat down with K.J. who has spent the last 14 years in prison on what was originally a six year sentence.".. "it's not uncommon for the sentences of mentally-ill inmates to balloon in custody because of additional institutional charges often brought on by disruptive behaviour.". Kim Pate of the Elizabeth Fry Society suggests Canada "...needs more mental-health units in hospitals rather than prisons attempting to provide mental-health services".