Julie Bilotta calls for 'serious change' at public forum on OCDC conditions
300 people turned out for emotional speeches from former inmates, relatives of current ones
Julie Bilotta, the woman who gave birth in a jail cell at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre in 2012, is calling for new protocols for pregnant prisoners and an end to the practice of keeping mentally ill inmates in segregation for extended periods of time.
Bilotta made the comments Thursday evening in front of an estimated 300 people at a public forum on the conditions at the jail.
"[Pregnant prisoners] should have access to all the same healthcare options as they would if they were not incarcerated, and nothing less," Bilotta told the audience.
- Julie Bilotta launches $1.3M lawsuit after jailhouse birth
- Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre conditions prompt public forum
Bilotta's son died about a year after he was born, prompting her to launch a $1.3-million lawsuit against the province and the jail, claiming his death was related to the circumstances of his birth.
Bilotta was in segregation when she went into labour and claims guards and medical staff ignored her calls for help.
After the forum, Bilotta told CBC News she's seen nothing but "empty promises" from OCDC and the province when it comes to improving conditions for all prisoners at the jail.
"My hope for [OCDC] is that there's a serious change," said Bilotta. "These are people's lives, these are people's loved ones. And there's nothing more important than someone's life," said Bilotta.
13 new correctional officers set to start work
Thursday night's forum was attended by other former prisoners, relatives of current inmates, experts and Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Yasir Naqvi, who also spoke at the event.
Concerns about the jail include overcrowding, inmate suicide, segregation, staff shortages, food issues and an increasing number of lockdowns.
To help address those concerns, 13 new correctional officers will start at the jail on Monday, according to Denis Collin, president of OPSEU Local 411, which represents jail guards.
Collin was at the forum and told CBC News the new hires will help to ease jail lockdowns that result from staffing shortages.
But he said an additional 75 new correctional officers are still needed.
"We're kind of hoping that the flow will just keep going towards us, and that the ministry just keeps its focus on our institution in regards to putting staffing levels where they should be," said Collin.
A task force established by Naqvi is currently working to come up with a plan to deal with the ongoing problems at OCDC.
Naqvi said it's on track to meet its deadline of June 1.
