HMP inmates complain about cold temperatures, lack of hot water

Inmates housed in a portion of Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's say they're without hot water and are having a hard time staying warm.

Calling from inside a unit in the men's prison, inmate Leonard Barr told CBC News on Monday that the area where he and about 20 other men are kept is "freezing."

"There [are] holes in the walls that produce cold air from the outside coming in. Really cold air," Barr said.

We have to wear five sweaters and six [pairs of] pants to go to sleep because we are shivering.- Leonard Barr, inmate at Her Majesty's Penitentiary

Barr said hot water isn't working in the area where he's housed, which means the inmates must go to other areas of the prison for showers.

"They gives us a shower but it's only every couple days because they have to shower other ranges," he said.

Justice and Public Safety Minister Andrew Parsons said his department became aware of the water issue Monday.

"All inmates were given the opportunity to have a hot shower daily. I don't think there was anyone denied that opportunity," Parsons said.

The issue, Parsons said, should already be fixed or will be later Tuesday.

Room temperature

Barr also complained that the temperature in his unit was low.

"It's not even like we are housed in a jail. Our hands and feet are freezing. We have to wear five sweaters and six [pairs of] pants to go to sleep because we are shivering."

However, Parsons said the temperature was measured and it read between 20.2 and 24 degrees, depending on the unit.

Still, Parsons said the Department of Transportation and Works will go to the prison to look further into the issue.

Old prison

"We need a new prison, pretty much," said Barr, accused of break and enter, at the end of the phone call to CBC.

Parsons said he's under no illusions when it comes to HMP, which has parts dating back to the mid-1800s.

"We all realize the limitations of it," Parsons said. "It is an issue. We all know that."

The Liberals have not committed to building a new prison. However, Parsons said he is going to bring up the issue when he meets the federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould this week.

HMP houses both provincial and federal inmates, and Parsons said there is a "joint responsibility."

The idea of a cost-share agreement between the two governments isn't new and past ministers have urged the federal government to step up in the past.

Now, Parsons said, he will bring the idea once again under two newly-elected governments.