CON PAYOFFS A DRUG 'SCAM': SOURCE

Canadians are paying off inmate drug debts by reimbursing missing
property in prisons, according to a Sun Media source. The veteran
correctional officer for the Ontario region said most claims for lost,
stolen or damaged items are bogus because the items have been traded
off for drugs.

"It's a scam. It's just one big farce," he said. "He submits a claim
for his $300 pair of Nikes that have gone missing, the Crown can't
prove where they are, so he ends up getting the money for them.

"In the meantime, he's paid off his drug debt with his hot-shot
running shoes, colour television or Timex watch."

Yesterday, Sun Media revealed the Correctional Service of Canada paid
$225,833 for 1,504 settlement claims for missing property in prisons
in the last two fiscal years.

CSC policy allows for the payments when it's deemed staff haven't
exercised "reasonable care" to protect a prisoner's personal property.

Documents obtained under Access to Information show taxpayers
reimbursed convicted criminals for socks, rolling papers, stereos,
watches and a variety of other items.

Graham Stewart, executive director of the John Howard Society of
Canada, said inmates deserve to have their personal property protected
while in custody.

"You go to jail to serve your sentence. You don't go to jail to be
robbed or to have things lost," he said "People are still citizens
when they're in jail, and they're still entitled to a level of care."

He said the high number of approved claims suggests there isn't a
"high level of care."