Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The office of the Auditor General of Canada released another excellent report yesterday. It’s their usual quality of work and I thank them for it. The first line of the Auditor General’s press release pretty much says it all: “The Department of Justice has not met its key responsibilities for the rehabilitation, safety and security of inmates within the correctional system.”
As the office of the Auditor General consistently does, their auditors look at NWT policies, procedures and mandates for correctional services and facilities, along with generally accepted nationally used requirements for correctional facilities.
Like other Auditor General’s reports on NWT programs before this one, I found it depressing reading. Depressing because we are not providing adequately for our inmates, and it is depressing because it confirms what we already know or suspected.
The report mentions two main areas as lacking: first, access to services and programs to assist inmates with rehabilitation, and second, safe and secure operation of correctional facilities.
The report is especially damning where short-stay inmates are concerned, stays of less than 120 days. One hundred percent of these inmates received no programming while they were incarcerated. If we expect to improve things in our territory, to stop the cycle of substance abuse, family violence and sexual abuse, it is imperative that we provide opportunities for rehabilitation of all inmates. The goal of incarceration should be to assess an inmate’s needs in regards to programming and then provide it so they can change their behaviour. Especially concerning to me is that programs to help with the mental health of inmates are not available.
The other area highlighted by the report was safety and security, and all of our facilities were found wanting. Management of the operations of these facilities does not meet the mark. The report points out a lack of such simple but necessary things as regular fire drills.
The Justice department has responded to all of the recommendations in the report and has agreed with them all. It’s good to see that agreement, but as is often said, talk is cheap. The proof of the department promises will be in their actions if, in six or 12 months’ time we have concrete improvements, such as better assessment at intake, programs to address all inmates’ needs – both while they’re incarcerated and on their release – and safe and secure facilities.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations will hold a public hearing on this report on May 21st with the Minister of Justice and department officials. At that time I look forward to hearing how the department will address the deficiencies in our correctional system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday the NWT was witness to yet another scathing report of the Auditor General. This time it was on our corrections system. Members of the 17th Legislative Assembly are not immune to the ever-repeating saga of these types of poor department results, and we have only to reference the past child and family services, income support and daycare reports to familiarize ourselves with what many in this room know all too well.
Shamefully, it is only under the watchful eye and the written investigative powers of the Auditor General of Canada until departments or Ministers divert their attention from inaction to action.
We know the recent failure of this department’s attempt at correction services is now in the hands of committee, and I will leave it up to this committee to do its due diligence and report back to the House. My concern today is not this legislative process before the House but, more importantly, have our own laws been breached by department’s inaction in the wake of such report findings?
If I might quote from the report, “According to the Corrections Act, the Corrections Service Regulations and Corrections Service Directives, the department, through corrections services, is responsible for the administration of correctional facilities, including their safe, secure and efficient operation.”
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice by law may “investigate and inquire into any matter connected with or affecting the administration and operation of corrections service or a correctional centre.”
When one reads terminology such as serious deficiencies, have not assessed, did not adequately deliver, did not receive, was not offered, and did not conduct, these are serious words used repeatedly in this report by the Auditor General which point to grievous contraventions in our NWT Corrections Act.
Having great powers over man must come with equal responsibility of conduct. Unfortunately, with much sadness, this Auditor General report of Canada once again shakes the very foundation of trust bestowed on a department and its leadership. Let’s hope for better days to follow for those Northerners in our care.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
