PRISON PROBLEMS MUST BE ADDRESSED

From the apparently easy availability of illicit drugs to gang activity
and the threat of violence, Canada's prisons too often seem to be run by
the inmates instead of the authorities.

It's not just a problem in federal institutions, but also in Saskatchewan's
correctional centres.

For example, a Regina judge this week decided not to send a former street
gang member to the Regina Correctional Centre because the man told him he
feared being attacked by gang member inmates, pleading: "I don't want to
die, man". The judge sent him to another jail.

It is very disturbing that prison staff are apparently unable to guarantee
the safety of such inmates, effectively allowing gangs to dictate
sentencing policy.

The drug issue is worrying because many inmates end up in prison after they
commit a robbery to support their drug habit. Society rightfully expects
jails to be drug free, offering prisoners the chance to clean up their act.

A year ago, the head of provincial corrections said that while drugs get
into jails "from time to time", they're not considered a widespread
problem. However, during the sentencing of the former head of the local
Indian Posse last year, court was told he had phoned from jail to have
drugs delivered to him. And an inquest into the death of a Saskatoon
Correctional Centre inmate heard that aboriginal gang members wore gang
colours and used drugs while behind bars.

Provincial Ombudsman Barbara Tomkins tackled the drug and gang issues in a
special report on Saskatchewan's correctional centres last fall. While
inmates and visitors are screened for drugs, Tomkins said prison staff and
"official visitors" like lawyers, counsellors and outside maintenance and
construction workers are not.

Tomkins said such searches and increased surveillance of visitors should be
established, particularly with the risk that gang activity in jails could
lead to the safety of staff or visitors being compromised. Tomkins also
noted there was no objective reporting of the level of prison violence and
no structured programs to help inmates end their gang involvement.

The province should give jails the resources they need to eliminate gang
activity and drugs. The present situation is intolerable.