Prison farms should stay, inmates argue

Prison inmates in Saskatchewan are speaking out to save prison farms.

The federal government announced in February that by 2011, it plans to wind down six farms located in minimum-security prisons across the country.

One of those farms is at the Riverbend Institution in Prince Albert, which has been in operation since the 1960s.

Donny McGregor, who's serving a life sentence for murder, says he's not looking forward to the day the tractors and dairy cows disappear, so he's doing what he can to raise awareness about them now.

McGregor says working with cattle and being responsible for their well being has reawakened his emotions, letting him feel human again.

"It digs right at your heart, right at the core," McGregor said.

Farms beneficial, proponents argue

Proponents of the farms argue they help rehabilitate inmates and give them job skills they can use when they're released.

Critics note the prison farms cost taxpayers $4 million a year and don't prepare inmates for the modern workplace.

Around Canada in recent months, there have been protests and letters from the farm groups and unions, saying the farms should continue. So far, the government hasn't budged.

"The plan is still that the farm operation will continue to be gradually phased out by March 31, 2011," said Correctional Service of Canada spokeswoman Christa McGregor, who is not related to Donny McGregor.

In response, inmates have been writing testimonials and sending them out to whoever will read them.

Donny McGregor said he wants other inmates to reap the benefits of the same experience he's had working on the farm.

"Why shouldn't they experience this and become a better man, a real man, like I have," he said.

The federal NDP has written back to Donny McGregor's group, saying the party will join the inmate's fight to save prison farms.