A group of inmates in the province of Ontario is taking the Canadian government to court over cuts to the amount they are paid for prison work. Last October pay rates were slashed by 30 per cent and inmates were suddenly made to pay for their own personal hygiene items such as shampoo, soap and non-prescription drugs. That means their net pay will be less than $3 a day compared to a minimum wage of $11 in Ontario.
At the time, inmates went on strike across the country to protest the cuts, to no avail.
Ombudsman called cuts insensitive
The prisoners’ ombudsman has already told the government the cut is insensitive and short-sighted, and that it undermines the idea that it undermines the idea that inmates should develop a good work ethic and save for their release. It also makes it difficult for them to save money for their eventual release.
The lawyer representing the inmates, Tom Sloan says the cuts violate Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms which assures inmates’ right to “liberty and security of the person.” He adds inmates are no longer able to pay for phone calls or send money to their families, and in some cases have cancelled family visits because they can’t provide for travel expenses.
Growing tensions
One of the inmates says the cuts have led to growing tension within prisons as inmates fight over scarce resources. He adds the current government’s “punitive and retributive policy” will not save money, but will simply ensure prisoners will be going back to prison.
The government has indicated it will fight the lawsuit, but has declined further comment. The case should be heard in a few months.
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