Pubdate: Thu, 13 Sep 2012 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2012 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Lisa Kelly DOUBLE-BUNKING STANCE APPALLING Public Safety Minister Vic Toews last week stated that the practices of double-bunking are appropriate in Canadian prisons and said he will not take any steps to ensure a decrease in this serious issue. I denounce Mr. Toews for even suggesting that double-bunking is an acceptable form of accommodation in Canada. Researchers, experts and academics have time and time again demonstrated that double and triple bunking is considered a safety violation and breach's safety standards outlined in UN's Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, to which Canada is a signatory. Anxiety, fear, depression, stress and ultimately violence and assault are the result of the pressures associated with double-bunking, which are taken out on correctional guards, staff and inmates. In addition, the spread of contamination and communicable and infections disease are increased as a result of closer and elongated contact. Mr. Toews had made an additional claim; that the newly passed omnibus crime bill will not create criminals. I say, quite the contrary. The Safe Streets and Communities Act has created new offences, enforces mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes, and criminalizes new and specific behaviours and activities. For example, the bill introduces a mandatory minimum sentence of nine months for anyone caught growing six or more marijuana plants, which can spill over into the same sentence for someone found sharing a joint, which could be categorized as trafficking. The Conservative government has now made it easier for non-violent activities to be criminalized, thus creating a wider carceral net for young and first time offenders to fall into. This bill has not been in place long enough to see the effects manifest themselves in Canadian prisons. It is too early to declare that the Conservative punishment agenda is succeeding, as cases and trails take months, even years to reach court rooms - and ultimately decisions given the circumstance with each case. With time, Canada will witness the economic and social costs of Bill C-10 overwhelm the correctional system and society in turn. Lisa Kelly, Crime Prevention Ottawa - --- MAP posted-by: Matt