Prison watchdog Howard Sapers troubled by Canadian corrections
CBC Radio | Posted: May 25, 2015 11:23 AM | Last Updated: May 25, 2015
Federal government shows Canada's prison watchdog the door
Does prison hurt or help? I'm part of the business that believes that what is done, should be helpful. - Howard Sapers
Federal government shows Canada's prison watchdog the door
The issues the Correctional Service of Canada is facing today, have received attention in large part thanks to Canada's top prison watchdog. That would be the Correctional Investigator of Canada., a job that Howard Sapers has held for more than a decade.
But it's a job he'll soon be leaving... and not by choice. The Conservative government will not be renewing Howard Sapers' appointment... marking the end of an era.
Howard Sapers has been an outspoken prison ombudsman, advocating for better access to mental health care, more resources for prisoners upon their release, and action on the over representation of Aboriginal Canadians in our prisons. All while pushing back against the impact of the conservative government's "tough on crime" agenda.
Howard Sapers joined us from Ottawa.
This segment was produced by The Current's Shannon Higgins.
RELATED LINKS
Govt refuses prison watchdog's request for another term - The Toronto Star
Harper govt out of touch on solitary confinement - The Globe & Mail
Prisons must stop messing with inmates' mental health - The Globe & Mail
$700M investment in new prison cells easing overcrowding - Ottawa Citizen
Circles of support for high-risk sex offenders deserve funding - Ottawa Citizen
Prison watchdog Howard Sapers touts rehab - Edmonton Sun