Ottawa Prison Justice Day Event

Prison Justice Day:

A Time to Reflect Upon Deaths in Custody

and Other Issues Inside Our Prisons

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

12:00pm - 1:15pm

Ottawa Public Library, Main Branch - Auditorium

120 Metcalfe Street

Ottawa, ON

Prison Justice Day (PJD) emerged as a prisoner-initiated day of non-violent strike action to commemorate the August 10, 1974 death of Eddie Nalon in the segregation unit of Millhaven maximum-security penitentiary. It was first observed in 1975, and in 1976 the prisoners of Millhaven issued a communication “To All Prisoners and Concerned Peoples from across Canada”, calling for one-day hunger strikes in opposition to the use of solitary confinement and in support of prisoners’ rights, in memory of Eddie Nalon as well as Robert Landers, who also died alone in solitary confinement (see www.prisonjustice.ca).

Despite promises to ‘reform’ our prisons, deaths in custody continue to occur. We invite concerned citizens to participate in a public forum where speakers will reflect upon the current state of incarceration in light of decades of opposition and resistance.

For those who are not fasting as one of the ways some memorialize deaths in custody, please bring your lunches. Coffee, juice and water will be provided by the Journal of Prisoners on Prisons.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE

Kim Pate

Executive Director, Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies

Susan Haines

Volunteer and Consultant

Michelle Mann

Lawyer and Consultant

Peter Colins

Federal Prisoner

The public forum will be chaired by

Justin Piché

Co-managing Editor, Journal of Prisoners on Prisons

and PhD Candidate, Carleton University

Volume and Severity of 'Crime' Down Again: Statistics Canada Study

According to data compiled and analysed by Statistics Canada (read study), the police-reported 'crime' rate "fell 3% in 2009 and was 17% lower than a decade ago", while its severity "declined 4% in 2009 and stood 22% lower than in 1999".

How this new information will impact the trajectory of federal penal policy remains to be seen but we can likely expect the Conservatives to continue to be widely criticized for their incarceration binge which is proving itself to be rather costly and unnecessary in a time where our Prime Minister has called upon other world leaders to exercise fiscal restraint. Perhaps he should take his own advice.

Media coverage:

- CBC News (article)

- CTV News (article)

- Globe and Mail (article)

- National Post (article)

- Toronto Star (article)

- Toronto Star (editorial)

- Toronto Star (editorial)