ExecutiveSummary

jailhotline@gmail.com

JailAccountability&InformationLine

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTOFTRADITIONALTERRITORY

The land upon which we conduct our advocacy work istraditional unceded and unsurrendered AlgonquinTerritory. In acknowledging this, we are obligated todocument and problematize how Canadian carceralinstitutions shape and are shaped by colonial policies andpractices thatmust be challenged if we are to address thecontinued existence of colonialism on Algonquin TerritoryandelsewhereonTurtleIslandanditslegacies,includingtheincarcerationofIndigenous,Black,racialized,poor,homelessandothermarginalizedpeople.

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TableofContents

ExecutiveSummary 3AbouttheJAILHotline 4Background 4Objectives 5NoteonLanguage 5Intake 7NumberofCalls 7TypesofCalls 9IssuesRaisedandRecommendations 12OpioidSubstitutionTreatment 12AccesstoJustice 15Segregation 16OutdatedandExpensivePhoneSystem 18IssueswithOCDCStaff 19HealthcareRevisited 20PoorAirQualityandCleanliness 24 Inadequate Winter Gear to Access Yard Time 25 Predatory Prices and Account Limits at Canteen 26Weekend Prisoners and ‘Diesel Therapy’ 27AttemptstoAddressIssuesatOCDC 30AdvocacyLetters 31PhoneCalls 31FormalComplaints 32ResourceRequests 32DirectAction 32MediaInterviews 33Presentations 33MovingForward 34Recommendations 35

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ExecutiveSummaryThisquarterlyadvocacyreportprovidesanoverviewoftheissuesdiscussedduring659 calls fromOttawa-CarletonDetentionCentreprisoners and theirlovedtotheJAIL/JailAccountability&InformationLineduringthefirstthreemonthsofouroperations.Italsosummarizestheadvocacyactivitiesofhotlinevolunteers.

AsnotedinourfirstreportreleasedinJanuary2019,mostofthecalls(n=148)receivedduringmonth1ofourworkreportedinadequatemedicalandmentalhealth care, the impacts of the restrictive and expensive institutional phonesystem, problems associated with canteen expenses and policies, lack ofappropriate winter gear to access yard time, and poor conditions ofconfinementstemmingfromthemanagementofintermittentsentencing.

Duringmonths2and3ofouroperations,wecontinuedtoreceivecalls(n=272and n=239) regarding these issues, notably concerningmedical andmentalhealthcareandthejailphonesystem.Anumberofconcernsnewlyreportedviathe hotline during this period include inadequate access to drug treatmentmedications,barrierstoaccesstojustice,theexcessiveuseofsegregationandproblematic interactions with some staff members. These issues requireresolutionandwehaveincluded23recommendationstoreducethedamageofincarcerationatOCDCtothedegreethatispossibleinadetentionsetting.

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AbouttheJAILHotline

BackgroundThe JAIL / Jail Accountability & Information Line is a hotline operated bycommunityvolunteersworkinginsolidaritywithpeoplewhoareincarceratedattheOttawa-CarletonDetentionCentre(OCDC)andtheirlovedones.Thelinehas two components: 1) Accountability (holding the provincial government,MinistryofCommunity Safety andCorrectional Services [MCSCS], aswell asOCDCmanagement and staff, accountable for the treatment of incarceratedindividualsthroughtrackingandresolvinghumanrightsviolationswithinthejail)and2)Information(providinginformationtopeoplewhoareincarceratedatOCDCabouttheirrightsandcommunityresourcesavailabletothemuponre-entryintothecommunity).TheJAILhotlinewasfoundedinresponsetolong-standingissuesregardingtheconditions of confinement at OCDC. A provincial jail in a suburb of Ottawa,Ontario,OCDChasanofficialcapacityof585beds,includingabout60bedsforincarcerated women in a separate unit. Roughly two-thirds of thoseincarceratedatOCDConanygivendayarenottheretoservesentences,butareawaitingtheirdayincourt.Theinstitutionhasalonghistoryofpoorconditionsofconfinement.The JAILhotline launchedon10December2018andhas receivedover600calls onweekdays from1pm-4pmsince that time. Thesehoursof operationwerechosenwiththeinputofpeoplewhohaveexperiencedincarcerationatOCDC.Currently,wehaveonephoneline–613-567-JAIL(5245)–thatisstaffedbyuptothreevolunteersatatime.OuradvocacyreportsfortheJAILhotlinedrawoninformationcommunicatedtousbycallers,thevastmajorityofwhomarepresentlyincarceratedatOCDC,documented in our intake and debrief forms that accompany each call. Noinformationisgatheredanddocumentedwithouttheexplicitconsentofcallers.

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Objectives● Provideresourcesandinformationtoincarceratedcallersontheirrights;● TrackhumanrightsabusesatOCDC;● Assistprisonerswithfilingcomplaintstorelevantinternalandexternaloversightbodies,whileworkingwiththemtosecureresolutionsthroughothermeanswherenecessary;

● Reduce the isolation experienced by incarcerated people and increaseempowerment;

● Connectcallerstocommunitysupports;● Generate awareness of the human rights issues faced by peopleexperiencingincarceration;and

● Bringthevoicesofincarceratedindividualstotheforefronttobeheardinthecommunitywhenlaws,policiesandpracticesimpactingthemarebeingdebated.

NoteonLanguageThe JAIL hotline is one of the Criminalization and Punishment EducationProject’sinitiativesthatcontributestoourbroaderworkaimedatreducingtheuse of imprisonment and improving conditions of confinement. In order toaccomplishthiseffectively,thehumanityandperspectivesofthosewhohaveexperiencedincarcerationareatthecentreofourcollectivework.Inadvocacyrelated to laws, policies and practices impacting people subjected tocriminalization and incarceration, we refuse to use harmful words thatdehumanizeanddegradeprisoners(e.g.‘criminals’,‘inmates’,‘offender’s,etc.)inwaysthatoftencontinuetostigmatizethemevenaftertheconclusionoftheirlegalordeals.Wethereforedonotusestatedescriptorsthatfailtocapturethecomplexity of human conflicts and social harms (e.g. ‘crime’) or terms thatdistorttheoppressiveandharmfulworkperformedbyjailsandprisons(e.g.‘rehabilitation’,‘justice’,etc.).Topromotetheuseofinclusive,humane,andjustalternatives to punishment where possible, requires working towardsabolishing the stigmatizing capacityof state language that limitsour fieldofvisionintermsofwhatispossibletopreventandrespondtosocialconflicts

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and harms.Whenwriting about and/orwith peoplewho have experiencedcriminalization it is useful to use ‘people first’ language as an alternative todehumanizing state descriptors (e.g. people who have experiencedincarceration/criminalization,incarceratedpeople,etc.).As one of the JAIL volunteers with lived experience of criminalization andincarcerationexplains: “I’m just anotherhumanbeingwhomademistakes. IharmedothersandIshouldbeaccountable.However,thedehumanizationandstate violence I endured as a consequence of my behaviours shouldn’t betoleratedinanysociety.Don’tcallmeaninmate.Don’tcallmeacriminal.I’mnotoffensive.I’maperson.Anindividual.Ahumanbeing.IrecognizetheharmIcaused.Beingwarehousedinaprisondoesn’trepairanyofit.Itjustexposesmetothe‘justified’crueltyofthestate.Tobeaccountabletomyself,mylovedones, my community and society, I work to end violence in all its forms toimproveourcollectivewell-beingandsafety”.

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IntakeNumberofCallsSincelaunchingtheJAILhotlinewehavereceived659calls.Asnocallswerereceived from women incarcerated at OCDC during our first month ofoperation, JAILhotlinevolunteersstrivedtoraiseawarenessofourinitiativeamongstthispopulationandtheirfamiliesoverthepasttwomonths.Thiswasdonethroughthedistributionofbusinesscardswithourcontactinformationtoprisoners’families(seeFigure1),aswellasoutreachtoorganizationsthatserveincarceratedandformerlyincarceratedwomeninthecommunity.Asaresultofoureffortstofurtherengageincarceratedwomen,wehavereceived6callsfromwomeninthepasttwomonths.

Figure1:JailAccountability&InformationLineBusinessCardsFigure2showsthedistributionofcallsreceivedbytheJAILhotlinefrominourfirstmonthof operation.During this period,wewereopen for a totalof21weekdaysandwereceived148calls. Figure3showsthedistributionofcallsreceived by the JAIL hotline in our secondmonth of operation. During thisperiod,wewereopenforatotalof22weekdaysandreceived272calls.Figure4showsthedistributionofcallsreceivedbytheJAILhotlineinourthirdmonthofoperation.Duringthisperiod,wewereopenforatotalof20weekdaysandreceived239calls.

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Figure2:CallsPerDayfrom10December2018to7January2019

Figure3:CallsPerDayfrom10January2019to9February2019

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Figure4:CallsPerDayfrom11February2019to8March2019

TypesofCallsInmonth1,mostofthecallswereceivedpertainedtoinadequatemedicalandmentalhealthcare, therestrictive andexpensive institutionalphonesystem,canteenexpensesandpolicies,lackofappropriatewintergeartoaccessyardtime,andpoorconditionsofconfinementstemmingfromthemanagementofintermittentsentencing(seeFigure5).Duringmonth2,wecontinuedtoreceivecallsregardingtheseissues,notablyconcerning health care and the jail phone system (see Figure 6). We alsoreceived number of calls received concerning access to drug treatmentmedications,theuseofsegregationandproblematicinteractionswithstaff.

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Figure5:PrimaryIssuesRaisedbyCallersfrom10December2019to9January2019

Figure6:PrimaryIssuesRaisedbyCallersfrom10January2019to9February2019

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Duringmonth3,wecontinued toreceivecalls regarding issuesraised in thefirsttwomonthslikeinadequatehealthcare,opioidsubstitutiontreatmentandsegregation.Wealsoreceivedanumberofcallsconcerningaccesstojusticeandinvoluntary transfer to other institutions (see Figure 7). Much of what isreportedbelowrepresentsadditionalchallengesreported to thehotline thatrequireresolutionifthedamageofincarcerationistobelimitedatOCDCtothedegreethatispossibleinadetentionsetting.

Figure7:PrimaryIssuesRaisedbyCallersfrom11February2019to9March2019

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IssuesRaisedandRecommendationsAsillustratedbythefiguresabove,thevastmajorityofthecallsreceivedbytheJAIL hotline were related to conditions of confinement. We provide detailsabout thenatureof the issuesraisedandrecommendations toaddress themputforwardbyprisonersandtheirlovedones.OpioidSubstitutionTherapyIndividualsincarceratedatOCDCreportedseveralbarrierstoaccessingOpioidSubstitution Therapy (OST) services. The three primary barriers reportedwere: 1) failure of the institution to provide OST within the necessarytimeframes;2)challengesaccessingservicesthroughRecoveryOttawa;and3)theinabilitytocontactrecoveryhousestocoordinatebailorreleaseduetotheoutdatedinstitutionalphonesystem.MethadoneandSuboxoneAdministrationOverthelastthreemonths,58callershavereportedissueswiththeiraccesstoopioid substitution treatment at OCDC.Many reported theywere not beingprovidedwiththedosageofmethadoneorsuboxonetheyhadreceivedpriortoincarceration, and others reported not receiving any of these necessarymedications at all. This had a serious impact on those experiencing opioidwithdrawal.Callersexpressedtheirfrustration,associatedwithdelayedaccesstoOST,especiallywhenspendingashort-termintheInnesRoadjail:

“Theytoldmetocontactmydoctortofaxthedoseforverification,butIstillhaven’treceivedanything.I’monlygoingtobehereforamaximumof threeweeks.This [OCDC]doctordoesn’t seemtogivea fuckaboutanybody in the institution. He’s impossible to deal with. I literallysmashedmyheadoffthewalltogethisattention”.“I’vebeenonmethadoneandsuboxoneforsixyearsandtheyaren’tmygiving me methadone even though my doctor already faxed theprescription.They’re trying to takemeoffmy [othermedication]– Ican’tdoit.Ineedtobeonsomething”.“Rightnow,it’salmost1:30pmandIhaven’thadmymedicationsinceyesterday at 12pm. Sometimes I don’t get it till 8:00pm at night,sometimesIgetitat12:30pm,sometimesIgetitat3:00pm...Ishouldbegettingmymedicationasprescribed,thereshouldbenodelay.”

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Lack of timely access to OST has serious consequences both duringincarcerationandafterwards.CallerssharedtheharmstheyhadobservedandexperiencedasaresultoftheinabilitytogettimelyaccesstoOST.Theseharmsincludedillness,overdoseanddeath.

“Somepeoplegetcutoff theirmethadone inside.Thenwhen theygetreleasedthemethadoneclinicsareclosed,andpeoplegetheroinwithfentanylinitandtheyOD”.“I have a front row seat to guys [withmental healthand addictionsissues] dying in here when they could just be sent to mental healthcentres”.“Iwas taperedoff SuboxonewhileatOCDC.Within threeweeks theytaperedmedownto2milliliters.Afterrelease,Iwasn’tabletomakeittomymethadoneclinicandended-upoverdosing…Itoldjailstaffifyouguysdon’tletmeseethedoctorbeforeIgetreleasedIamgoingtohaveanoverdose”.“IjustwanttogetbackonsuboxonesothatwhenIgetreleasedIdon’trelapse”.

Inordertoaccessmethadoneduringincarceration,prisonerswhodonothavean OST prescription with their regular doctor are required to obtain aprescriptionandproofofcommitmentbyanoutsidemethadoneprovider totakethemonuponrelease.OneofthebarrierstoOSTaccesswasthatcallersreportedthattheywerebeingadvisedbyOCDCstaffinhealthcareunittocallRecovery Ottawa to arrange the signing of Opioid Substitution TreatmentAgreement forms. However, prisonerswere unable to call Recovery Ottawabecause the service’s main line is not set up to accept collect calls. Severalindividuals incarceratedatOCDCrecommended thattheresidentdoctoratOCDC should be permitted to prescribe methadone in the short-termwithout theneed for a community opioid substitution agreement form[recommendation1].Callersexplained:

“We’restuckinhere,coming-offaheavydrugandnoaccesstodoctorstoprescribenecessarymedicationtocome-offopiates”.

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“The doctor at OCDC doesn’t take my case seriously nor respect my[prescribing]doctor’schoice.IspoketoRecoveryOttawaandtheyfaxed[theOpioidSubstitutionAgreementform]twice. Iwouldlikeahead-startonmyrecovery.WhenIwasonmypropermedication,Iwasatabetterplace.Ijustwanttogetmy[methadone]back”.

Substance use cessation is further complicated when prisoners experienceadditional illnesses thatrestrict theirmobilitywithin the institution.Severalcallers gave examples of how managing other illnesses made using themethadone program at the healthcare unit near impossible. In addition tofailing to provide the appropriate and necessary care for incarceratedindividuals in need of OST, these barriers posed by a lack of access to carereportedlyalsointerferedwithaccesstojustice:

“Lastbid,Icouldn’twalkforafullmonthbecauseofaseriousinfection.I was lucky if I got one meal because I couldn’t walk to the hatch.BecauseIcouldn’twalk,Ioftendidn’tgetmymethadoneunlessanursebrought it tome. Iwas supposed todo2/3of 90days, but ended-updoing120fulldaysbecausetheywouldn’tbringmetocourt.Isaidthat’senough–Idraggedmyselftoawheelchairanddraggedmyselftothetransferwagon”.

Thiswasnotan isolated incident.Duringaboutof illnessthatmade itswayaroundtheminimumrangesthismonth,oneprisonerexplained:

“Theguyswhoareonmethadoneandsuboxonehadtoleavetherange[togettheirOST].Someofthemwhowereinthemiddleofthrowing-up,weretoldthat ifyoudon’tcomerightnow, it’stoobad,youwon’tbegettinganythingtoday”.

ForthosewhodoreceivetheirOST,somecallersreportedthattheirdosageswere being administered at inconsistent times. It is critical for OST to beprovided at the same time every day in order to prevent incarceratedpatients from experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms[recommendation2].Itwasreportedbymultiplecallersthatafewofficersweaponized the administration of OST as a retaliation tool to ‘discipline’incarceratedindividuals.Twocallerslocatedondifferentrangesexplained:

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“Alotofguysarehavinginconsistencyontheirtiming[ofMAT],onedaytheywillgetitearlyorreallylate–it’snotaconsistenttimeatall–guysarepretty[dope]sickduringtheday.”“Iwenttothehole,wasinthehole3o’clockusuallyIgetmymethadoneat12:00pm–theguardknocksonthedoorandsaysI’mnotgivingyoumethadoneuntil20:45becauseyoufuckedwithoneofmybrothers”.

Finally,asmanyrecoveryhousesdonotacceptcollectcalls,severalprisonersreported that they experienced challenges arranging bail or release fromcustody when treatment was required. Given this barrier, the Ministry ofCommunitySafetyandCorrectionalServicesandBellCanada,thephonesystemoperator,needtoputinplacemeasurestoallowOCDCprisonerstomakenon-collectcallstocommunityserviceprovidersorcommunityservice providers need to put in place the necessary infrastructure toacceptcollectcalls[recommendation3].Thecurrentsituationundermineswell-beingandsafety,bothfortheindividualsaffectedandthecommunitiesthevastmajorityofprisonerseventuallyreturnto.

AccesstoJusticeJAIL hotline volunteers have received 29 calls in the past three monthsregardingbarriers to access to justice. For example, several callers reportedthattherequestformstheyhadsubmittedrequestingaccesstheCriminalCodeof Canada, theCharter ofRightsandFreedoms, aswell police complaint andCollegeofNursesofOntariocomplaintformswerenotrespondedtobyOCDCstaff.Hotlinevolunteersoftenmailedindividualsthesenecessaryresourcesnotprovided by the institution within sufficient timeframes, despite multiplerequests.Documentsthatenablepeopletoadvocatefortheirrightstoberespected should be available in every living unit at OCDC[recommendation4].Accesstodisclosurewasalsoanissue.Callerswhoarerepresentingthemselvesincourtreported that the institutionwasnotrespecting theircourt-orderedaccesstodisclosureoraccesstimes.Further,theyreportedthatthesoftware

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currentlyinstalledonthecomputerswheredisclosurecanbereviewedatOCDCwasout-of-dateandnotcompatiblewiththeevidencetheywererequiredtoreview. However, following communication with JAIL hotline volunteers, aLegalAidOntario(LAO)in-reachworkerresolvedtheissueswiththesoftware.SeveralcallersalsoreportedbeingunabletoreachLegalAidOntariooverthelastfewmonthsasthephonenumbermanyprisonersinsolitaryconfinementand segregation were provided to reach LAO does not accept collect calls.Furtherworkneeds to bedone to ensure that prisoners, regardless ofwhere they are located in the jail, have the correct phone number forLegalAidOntario[recommendation5].Access to justice is also at stakewhen it intersectswith the restrictive andprohibitivephonesystem.Numerousindividualswerenotabletoreachtheirsuretiestomakethenecessaryarrangementsforupcomingbailhearings.Thisresultedinpeoplethatarepresumedtobeinnocentunderlawspendinglongerperiodsoftimebehindbars,whichwasdirectlycausedbytheinabilitytoplacedirectcallstophonesthatcannotacceptcollectcalls.Furthermore, the inability to call cell phones posed barriers to callers whoneededtocontacttheirlawyertodiscussimportantandtimelylegalmatters.Most lawyers’ offices accept collect calls.However,when lawyers arenot intheir offices for professional or personal reasons, their incarcerated clientscannotreachthemduetotheirinabilitytocallcellphones.To facilitate time-sensitive calls between prisoners and prospectivesuretiesortheirlawyers,thejailphonesystemneedstoallowcallstocellphonesataffordablerates[recommendation6].SegregationOverthelastthreemonths,wehavereceived29callsfromindividualsinsideOCDCregardingissuesrelatedtosegregation.Whilesomecalledregardingthelength of their segregation period (e.g. one caller reported having been insolitary confinement forover280days), others calledbecause theyhad notbeeninformedofthejustificationbehindtheirplacement.Onecallerexplains:

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“I’vebeendownheresinceDecemberandinthattimeperiodIhavetoldthemrepeatedlythatallIwantfromthemismyreasonsforbeinghere.Idon’tknowwhyI’mdownhereinthefirstplace”.

Often,OCDCadministrationjustifiesplacementinadministrativesegregationfor“securityconsiderations”,whichcannotbeverifiedbythepersonwhohasbeenplacedinsegregation.Asonecallerreports:

“[Theadministrationis]tellingmethattherearenoteswrittenbyotherprisonersagainstmeandthatI’mnotwelcomeontheunitI’mchoosingtobeon.YetIcan’thaveaccesstotheaccusationsdirectedtowardsme.Thisisatacticthey’restartingtousetosegregatepeopletheywanttocontrol”.

Individuals experiencing administrative segregation often find themselvesagainstabureaucraticwallthathamperstheirabilitytoaccessjustice.Reviewmechanismsneedtobeputinplacetoverifytheallegationslegitimatingsegregation placements or to appeal the decisions made by the OCDCadministration when the “security” pretense is operationalized[recommendation7].

Callers are also reporting a discrepancy between OCDC administratorswhosometimesmakecontradictoryorders.Inoneinstance,forexample,asergeantpromisedapersonheldinsolitaryconfinementthattheywouldbetransferredbackintogeneralpopulation.Followingthiscommunication,adeputyorderedthesergeanttoretracttheirpromise,whichresultedinthepersonbeingheldin‘thehole’foranextendedperiodoftime.Since2016,newregulatorychangesprohibitOntariojailsadministrationsfrompunishingindividualstoperiodsofdisciplinarysegregationoflongerthan15days. This change came after an ombudsperson report outlining the poorconditions of confinement at OCDC and other Ontario jails. While thedisciplinary segregation label isnot used forplacementsbeyond the 15-day

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limit,people incarceratedatOCDCobserve that the jail’sadministrationandstaffsystemicallyuseadministrativeandmanagerialtacticstocircumventthisprohibition. Sometimes after the 15-day period has expired individualsimmediately facenewmisconductchargesorareplaced insegregationunitsrebrandedas‘behaviouralunits.’Asonecallerexplains:

“They placed me in segregation even if I finished (sic) my 15-daysentence16daysago.Theycannotgivememorethan15days,buttheygivepeoplemoremisconductswhentheirsentenceisover.Iaskedtobeput back in population because solitary confinement is affecting mymentalhealth.Theyrefused.TheysaidthattheonlywayIcangetoutof the hole is if I accept to go to the behavioural unit 4B. If Iwouldaccept,theyofferedtogivemebackmypersonalstuffthattheyseizedfromme.Whentheyputmein4B,theyletmeouttothedayroomtotakeshower and use the phone.However,when Iwas given access to thedayroomIwasbymyself. I’mahumanbeing. Ineed to interactwithpeople”.

TheMay2018CorrectionalTransformationAct,whichincludeslimitsonwhocanbeplaced in segregationand forhowalong,aswell as reviewprocedures, ought to be proclaimed into force by the new provincialgovernment[recommendation8].Whileimperfectinthatthelegislationfallswell-short of abolishing the torturous practice of solitary confinement, theimplementationofthelegislationwouldgoalongwayinalleviatingsomeoftheunnecessarypainscausedbythecurrentregimeofsegregation.OutdatedandExpensivePhoneSystemAsnotedinourJanuary2019advocacyreport,callsfromOCDCpayphonescanonlybemadetootherlandlineswhicharesetuptoreceivecollectcalls.Thisposes significant challenges as it leavesmany incarcerated peopleunable tocontacttheirlovedoneswhoonlyhavecellphones.Thismonth,wereceivedninephonecalls regarding therestrictivephonesystematOCDC.Onecaller,notedthedisconnectionresultingfromtheflawedphonesysteminplace:

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“Forthreeweeks,Ihavebeenunabletocontactanyonefromoutside–Everyonehascellphonenumbers”.

Manyprisonersalsoreportedthatmakingcollectcallswasexpensive,whichoftenmeantthattheycouldnotspeaktotheirlovedonesforlengthyperiodsoftimewithout the latter incurringsignificant financialhardship.BellCanada,whoistheserviceproviderforthephonesystem,needstoworkwiththeMinistryofCommunitySafetyandCorrectionalServicestoofferOntario’sprisonersanalternativetoimposingupontheirlovedonesthepredatoryratestheypaytostayconnected[recommendation9].BellCanadaandtheMinistryalsoneedtoputinplacewhatisnecessaryforprisonerstocallcellphonesataffordablerates[recommendation10].The current situation not only does harm to them, but also underminescommunitysafetybyservingasabarriertoconnectionsthatimprovere-entryoutcomesforprisoners.ShouldBellCanadaandtheMCSCSnotbeabletoput inplaceamoreaccessibleand lessexpensiveprovincial jailphonesystemwithin the spanof their current contract, theMinistryought tocontracttheseservicestoanothertelecommunicationsproviderwhocandosowhenanewagreementissignedin2020[recommendation11].IssueswithOCDCStaffMembersTheJAILhotlinehasreceived30complaintsaboutasmallnumberofofficersatOCDCwho reportedly 1) failed towear their nametags and badge numbersduring theirshifts;2)behaveddisrespectfully towardsprisoners;or3)usedforceexcessively.Threeseparatecallers,twoofwhomwerefromdifferentranges,reportedthatseveralofficerswerenotwearing theirbadgenumbersandwererefusing toprovidethemuponrequest.Onecallerestimatedthatatleast75%ofofficersatthe jaildonotwear theirbadgenumber. It iscritical thatofficersprovidetheirbadgenumbersinordertoensureprisonershaveavenuesavailabletoreportmistreatment[recommendation12].

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Prisonersshareda varietyofexamples that illustratemistreatmentbysomeofficers.Forexample:

“Someguardsaretellingpeoplewhatthepeoplearehereforandthepeoplegetbeatup.They’renotasprofessionalastheyshouldbe”.

Onecallerexplainedthatwhenaskinganurseforacastaguardansweredforherstating“it shouldbeonyour fuckingbedconvict”.Anothercallersharedthatprisonersonhisrangeweretoldbyasergeantto“quityourcomplaining”and tostopcalling the JAILhotlineorrun theriskofgetting “shippedoutofhere”.OCDCmanagementandstaffshouldnottoleratedisrespectfulandthreatening statements made by any of their colleagues that deepenfrustration within the institution. Such instances should serve asadditional opportunities for pro-active peer-mentoring to enhance theclimateatOCDC[recommendation13].Examplesprovidedbycallersofuseof forceincludetheuseofpeppersprayandassaultthathavecausedimmenseharmtothoseexposedtoit.Whilewewillnotrecounttheincidentsofexcessiveuseofforcereportedtothehotlinehere in order to protect the callers, it is imperative that all staff holdthemselvestothehigheststandardsandthatwherecolleaguesfailtodoso that appropriate measures are taken to ensure professionalism[recommendation14].HealthcareRevisitedHealthcare issues remainedat the forefrontofproblems reportedbypeopleincarcerated at OCDC. Out of 659 calls in the last three months, 152 wereregardingthehealthcareunitatOCDC,whichneedstobebetterstaffedandresourced to provide medical and mental health care in a timely andappropriate manner [recommendation 15]. Although issues with thehealthcare unit listed in the January 2019 report including lack ofconfidentiality, misadministration of medication, and the failure of theinstitution to respond to requests for care persisted, additional issueswereraised.

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LackofMedicalPrivacyCallers continued to express concerns regardingmedical confidentiality andtheprotectionoftheirpersonalhealthinformation(PHI).Callersreportedthatmedical and mental health staff have continued to speak with prisonersthrough their doors, sometimes without even opening the slot regardingconfidentialhealthissues.Callerswereconcernedthattheirpeershadaccesstotheirhealthinformation.Thisactedasabarrierforindividualswhorequiredhealth services because they were not comfortable with reporting privatehealthproblemstocareprofessionalsthattheirpeerscouldoverhear.Below,areexcerptsfromrepresentativecallsconcerningmedicalprivacy:

“Halfthetimehereyoudon’tgettogospeaktothedoctorprivately.Hewillspeakopenlyontherangeaboutyou.Ifyouhavepersonal issuesthewholerangecanheareverything”.“Youdon’tfeelsafeabouttalkingaboutmentalhealthorothersensitiveissuestoyourgeneralpractitioner”.

Aswehavewrittenpreviously,this lackofconfidentialityposesasignificantrisktothesafetyofincarceratedindividualswhoseconditionsmayputthematriskofviolenceorharassmentwithintheinstitution.Thisincludespeoplelivingwithmentalhealthissues,disabilitiesorHIV/AIDS.Thesituationisanaffrontto the dignity of incarcerated people. It is also an affront to the dignity ofincarcerated people who deserve face-to-face medical care. The Ministryresponsible should immediately dedicate more existing space withinOCDC so that private exchangesbetweenprisoners and careproviderscanoccurmoreoften[recommendation16].MisadministrationofMedicationCallers continue to frequently report instances where their prescriptionmedicationswerecompletelycut-offuponadmission,orhaving theirdosagereducedinthenameofpreventinghoardingormisuse.Othersreportedhavingtheir extended releasemedication dissolved inwater prior to consumption.

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One caller explained how dynamic between care and institutional securityworks,anditsdireconsequences:

“Whattheydohereisifyou’resuspectedofhoardingthey’retakingawayordilutingourmedication–especiallypeoplewhohavecomplexmentalhealthissues…Meanwhiletheyhavegotastringofsuicidesandsuicideattempts”.

Altering a patient’smedication regimen is arguably a punitivemeasure thatexposesthemtosignificantrisk.Severalcallerswhohadtheirextendedreleasemedicationdissolvedinwaterexplainedthatitcausedtheirmedicationtotakeeffectallatonceasopposed toover thecourseof theday.Asaresult, theseindividualsreportedthattheyexperiencedtheonsetoftheirmedicationallatonce, followedbyaseverecrash,afterwhichtheynolongerexperiencedtheintendedeffectsoftheprescribedtreatmentregimen.Thishascausedseverephysicalandpsychologicalharm,stress,andotheradverseeffects.OCDCandtheMCSCSneed to put in placeprotocols to ensureprisoners can taketheir prescribedmedication in a securemanner that also follows theirtreatment regimen set out bymedical andmental healthprofessionalswhoappeartobeconstrainedbyexistinginstitutionalsecurityconcernsand protocols that produce great insecurity in the lives of prisoners[recommendation17].InadequateMedicalAttentionInordertosubmitaformalrequestformedicalattentionpeopleincarceratedatOCDCmustsubmitamedicalrequestform,knownasa“greensheet”.Callerssharedthatthemedicalrequestformsarenotbeingadequatelystocked.Callersexplainedthisproblem:

“Thegreenformstoputinrequestsforthedoctorsareonlygivenoffthemedicalcartandyesterdaytheywerere-stocked,butfor3,4dayswecouldn’tgetthem”.

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“I’ve put in [medical request forms] 3-4 times. I’ve been telling mylawyertocallthejailaboutthissothatIcanseethedoctor.MylawyersaidhecalledthejailbutIstillhaven’tseenadoctor”.“Thenursekeepstellingmethattheyaregoingtoletmeseethedoctorthenextday,andIhaven’tseenthedoctoryet,Igotfrostbiteandtheywon’tseeme(…)Ihavetoseethedoctorformytoe–it’sbluerightnowit’sgettingblack”.

The inability to access medical request forms posed a barrier to access forindividualswhorequirednon-emergencymedicalcare.Callersalsosharedthatthemedicalcartoften“skipped”theircell,meaningthattheywereunabletosubmitmedicalrequests.Eventhosewhocouldgetaccesstomedicalrequestforms faced significant barriers. Two callers reported that they had notreceivedmedicalattention,whichtheyhadputinarequestformorethantwoweeksprior.Othercallerssharedthattheydidnotfeelthatmentalhealthstaffwereadequatelyservingtheirneeds,theyexplained:

“Mentalhealthnursesthemselves,theydotheirroundsinsegregation,butinmyopinionthereisnotmuchthattheycanofferus,theyarenotgivingusmuchtogoon.“Areyouokay?IsthereanythingIcandoforyou?”I’mdepressedangryandfrustrated–I’mlookingatthemlike,“sothanks for justcheckinguponme”.Theycometo thedoor,butdon’tevenopenthehatch”.“There is no help for someonewho is depressed. Just recently peoplekilled themselves in this jail and that’s ahuge issue thatneeds tobeaddressed”.“Ihavebeenapplyingtoseeadoctorforthepastmonthandahalf(…)Iput ina[medicalrequest form]everyweekaboutthissituationandwhatIneeded–theycameeventuallywiththedoctorparadebuttheydidn’tseeme.Iwanttoseeadoctorandmentalhealthnurse.”

These issues were compounded in the few instances reported to us byprisonerslivingwithmentalhealthissueswhosharedthepoortreatmentfromofficerstheyhaveendured.Forexample:

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“WhenIwasdoingmyweekendtheybroughtmetothehospital,Iwasassessed[foranOD]andgivennarcan…ForthenextweekendsIcamein,theguardscalledmeeverynameinthebookregardingfentanyl.‘Mr.Fentanyl’”.“HealthcarewhenIwasinsegregationonsuicidewatchatInneswasterrible.Gettingmedicalcare,toiletpaper,andotherbasicnecessitiesisdeplorable. Ifyouhavemeal issuesnoonewilltalktoyouabout it.You’renottreatedcorrectly foryourmedicalormentalhealthissues.Instead, you’re getting punished and your mental health issues arebeingexacerbated.Ontopofthepunishmentyouhavelackofmedicalcare”.“Theytellusshutthefuckup,andifyou’reknockingonthedoorforthephoneorachannelchange.Theysloughyouoff.Therearepeoplethathaveextremementalhealthandsomeguardsmock them.That’snotright,it’snotcool”.“Guardsarepsychologicallyabusingme”.

As noted in recommendation 15, the Ministry needs to put in place theappropriatehealthstaffinglevelsandresourcestoensureprisonersgetaccesstoappropriatecarefrommedicalandmentalhealthprofessionals,aswellasofficersinordertofosterabetterenvironmentforallatOCDC.PoorAirQualityandCleanlinessIndividualsfromthroughoutthefacilityhavereportedpoorairqualitywithintheinstitution,whichwasexacerbatinghealthissues.

“Theventsonrangesgounchangedandweknowitisn’tcleanair,andit’sgettingcirculatedthroughdirtyventsthatrequirechanging.Theairontherange,thewindows[inmax]aredirtytothepointwherethere’snosunlightcomingin.Howcleancantheair filterspossiblybewhenyouhavesomuchdirtthere?”

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To address this issue, air filters in the jail should be replaced morefrequently[recommendation18].Callersalsoreportedunsanitaryconditionsthroughoutthefacility,whichrequire immediate custodial attention for health and safety reasons[recommendation19].Afewrepresentativeexamplesarenotedbelow:

“Maxlookslikeamedievaldungeon.We’relockedup18or19hoursoftheday,wedon’tevengettoeatoffthetable,wejusteatoffthefloor”.“1A–it’sgross–therewasgarbagealloverthefloor,thewallsweregrimy– therewasa layerofgrime likeoily stuffdrippingdown.Thebunkshavenomattressesandbecausetherearenomattressesyoucanseethebunks,andthebunkshadfilthalloverthem.Therewasnoairinthecellandtheouttakeventwascoveredwithdust”.

InadequateWinterGeartoAccessYardManycallersoverthepastthreemonthshavespokentousaboutthefailureofOCDC to provide adequatewinter gear such aswarm jackets and toques toaccess yard. This poses significant risk to those incarcerated in the wintermonthsastemperaturesaredangerouslylow.Further,wewereinformedthattheoutdoorjacketsare“fallingapart”andindisrepair.Additionally,prisonersarenotbeingprovidedwithwarmsweatpantstowearundertheiroveralls.Itis unacceptable that prisoners are not being provided with clothing that isappropriatefortheseason.Althoughthecoldestmonthsofwinterarebehindus, the MCSCS should immediately provide OCDC with the necessaryresourcestoissuewinterjackets,toques,glovesandsweatpantstoeachprisoner, and continue this practice in future winters going forward[recommendation20].Failuretodosomeansthataccesstoyardisillusorywhen people cannot do so without risking frostbite and other debilitatingconditionsinordertobreathfreshairafewminutesaday.Callersexplainedtheirexperiencewithyardtime:

“Whentheweatherwasnicetheydidn’tofferyard.Thisishowthejailworks–theyonlyofferyardwhentheweatherisshitty”.

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“Wehaveahard timegettingyardeveryday.Weget itevery two tothreedays–2timesaweek–andtheydon’ttellusanything”.

PredatoryPricesandAccountLimitsatCanteenTherewerealsoseveralissuesreportedbycallerswithrespecttocanteen.Thecanteen, or commissary as it is officially known, is the onlymeans throughwhichOCDCprisonerscanaccessbasichygieneproductsofcomparablequalityto those foundoutside jailwalls, aswellas food tosupplement thewoefullyinadequateprivatized“quick-chill”mealsmadebytheCompassGroup.Thisfall,anewtotalcanteenaccountlimitof$180(whichistheequivalentofthe$60perweeklimitprisonerscanspendatcanteen)wasputinplace.Thechangehasforcedprisonerstomoreactivelycoordinatecontributionstotheircanteenaccountswithmultiplefamilymembersontheoutsidetoensurethatdifferentlovedonesarenotmakingeffortstodrop-offfundsonlytofindouttheaccount isalready full.The inability forprisoners tocall cellphoneshinderstheirabilitytocoordinatethesecanteendepositsthatneedtotakeplaceattheinstitutionbecauseOCDCstoppedacceptingchequesviamail.Moreover,thosewhosefamilies,includingonesthatdonotresidelocally,havetotraveltotheinstitutionmuchmoreoftenfollowingthispolicychange,sometimesasmuchaseverythreeweeks,whichoftenfallsinbetweenbi-weeklypayperiods.Giventhat prisoners have requested that the total canteen account limit beraisedto$500,evenraisingitto$240wouldcutdowntheburdenontheirloved ones in terms of coordination, travel, and budgeting[recommendation20].Theproblemsassociatedwiththecanteenlimitarefurtherexacerbatedbythefactthataprisoner’svisitorslistislimitedtosixpeopleandanindividualmustbeonaprisoner’svisitationlistinordertosendthemfunds.Forprisoners,thisrestrictionputstheminthedifficultpositionwhereintheyhavetoholdpeopleontheirvisitationlistwho, insomecases,cannotactuallyvisitthem,butaresendingthemmoney.OnecallerillustratedtheimpactthatthishasonpeopleincarceratedatOCDCandtheirfamilies:

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“Familiesarecomingfromfaraway,sotheyhavetocomemoreoften,and they have to coordinate their deposit because they’re otherwiseunawarethatsomeoneelsedroppedmoneyinyouraccountandend-uptravellingfornoreason.Visitorlistscanchangemonthlyandthesearetheonlypeoplethatcandrop-offmoneytoyouraccount.Ifyouchangefrommomtosister,yourmomthencomesallthewayfromTorontoandcan’t even drop-off the money. If you’re trying to get money fromdifferentpeople,youhavetokeepshufflingyourvisitlistconstantly.I’mlosingspaceforvisitsbecauseofthemoneysituationandbecausemymomcan’tjustrunoutandgetamoneyorderbecausesheis80yearsold.It’shardforhertogetout”.

TheMinistryandOCDCadministrationshouldallowprisonerstocreatedistinct lists for visitation and canteen contributions with up to eightnameseachsothatprisonersarenotforcedtoseverface-to-facetieswithsomeoftheirlovedonesinordertogetaccesstofundstopayforgoodsatpredatory prices, which should be reviewed and reduced[recommendation21].Recently,OCDCblockedaccesstomagazineandbookordersfromoutsidetheinstitution.Asaresult,manycallershaveexperienceddistressasaresultofthelack of activity. This has a particularly impact on those experiencingsegregation.TheMinistryandOCDCadministrationneedstoendtheblockon accessing publications from outside the jail to improve the climatewithin OCDC, as well as limit the damage of incarceration, which hasramificationsforusall[recommendation22].WeekendPrisonersand‘DieselTherapy’Those serving intermittent sentences on weekends at OCDC face uniquechallenges.Peoplewhodoweekendsarenotgivenaccesstoaphone,oftendonot get showers, and are subject to transport to institutions at timeswhenOCDCiscrowded.Incaseswheretransfersoccur,thefamiliesofprisonersaretypicallynotcontacted,leavingthemunawarethattheirlovedoneshavebeenmovedtoaninstitutioninanothercity.Thetwoexamplesbelowillustratethe

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deplorable conditions experienced by individuals serving intermittentsentencesinEasternOntario:

“Whenmypartnerwasdoingweekends at the jail andOCDCwasatcapacity he was being transferred to another city for his weekendsbecauseofOCDCbeingfull.Hehasbeenleftstrandedonreleasefromweekendsinothertowns.Hewasnotbeinggivenphoneaccesswhenhewas in on weekends… I recommend that [intermittent] prisoners begivenaccesstothephoneonweekends”.“WearrivedatourdesignatedtimetoOCDC.Afterstripsearch,wewerehanded our jump suits and told wewere being sent to Lindsay [theCentral East Correctional Centre]. We were shackled, loaded on thebackofapaddywagon[transporttruck]takenonthefour-hourdriveto Lindsay.We arrived at 2am.Weweren’t given blanket and givensegregationcells, twomenpercell.Wewerehelduntilbreakfastandgivennoutensilstoeatourbreakfast.Weweren’tgivenacupandwehadtodrinkoutofthesink.Weweren’tissuedsoaporatowel.Itwasn’tuntilafterlunchthatwewereissuedblanketsandsoap.Wedidn’tgetaccess to showers,weweren’t allowed touse the telephones, andweweren’tpermitted tohaveanewspaperorpaperback. InLindsay,weweredeniedourbasicrights”.

IntermittentsentencingalsonegativelyimpactspeoplewhoareonremandorservingtimeatOCDC,asitrestrictstheirmobilitythroughoutthefacilityoverthe periodwhenweekenders are being held there. One caller explained theimpactoftherestrictionsimposedonOCDCprisonersasaresultofweekendersbeingheldatthejail:

“They’rebringingtheweekendersonourrangeandlockingusupforthewholeweekend then the guards feed ourmeals andwe can’t doanythingsoweonlyshowerandthat’sit,andIdon’treallythinktheyshoulddothat.There’sgottobeadifferentwaythattheycandothis.Theytakeonecelloutatatimefora20-minuteshower,soyouhavetodecidebetweenphoneandshower”.

Intermittent sentenceswere created topunish the convicted,while allowingthemtokeeptheirjobsorfulfillotherresponsibilitiessuchaschildcareduring

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the week. However, the logic of this form of sentencing is questionable. Ifindividuals are considered tobe safe in their communitiesduring theweek,whyimprisonthemontheweekends,particularlywhentherearelesscostlyand more effective alternatives? Community-based alternatives toincarceration like temporary absences on weekends should beprioritizedmoreofteninordertokeepcriminalizedpersonsemployedandkeeptheirfamiliestogether,andimproveconditionsofconfinementatOCDC[recommendation23].

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AttemptstoAddressIssuesatOCDCWhile OCDC and MCSCS insist that existing internal and external oversightmechanismareadequatetoaddresstheconcernsraisedbyprisoners(seeourJanuary2019report),severalcallershaveprovidedconcreteexamplesofhowsuch channelshaveproved inadequatewhenwe tried to encourage them toutilizethesemechanismsinsteadofrelyingsolelyonustoworkwiththemtoeffectchange.Forinstance,somecallersexpressedconcernthatsomeofficerswere disposing of their blue sheets (i.e. complaint forms), which preventedthemfrominitiatingcomplaintprocesses:

“Thentherangegetssearchedandallourbluesheetshavebeentaken,sixorsevenonthetopbunkandthey’reallmissing”.

Asshowninthisreport,thenatureandnumberofcallswehavereceivedfromprisoners in threemonths suggests there ismuchmorework to be done toimproveconditionsofconfinementattheInnesRoadjail.Mostofthesechangescouldbemadequicklywithlittletonocostsinacontextwheretheprovincespendsmorethan$800millionperyearcaginghumanbeings.WhenJAILhotlinevolunteersarerequestedtoadvocateforaparticularcaseorasystemicissue,weaskthecallerstotake-uptheinternalprocessesaswellasexternalonessuchastheOntarioOmbudsman,theCollegeofNursesofOntario,theClientConflictResolutionUnitandtheHumanRightsTribunalofOntario.ThetypeofadvocacytheJAILhotlineengagesinisonethatencouragespeoplewhoareimprisonmenttoadvocateforthemselves,whiletakingintoaccountthelimits,barriers,andriskstheyface,whichwetrytoassistthemtoovercome.MostcallerswhocontactedtheJAILhotlinedidsoinordertorequestadvocacyforeitherapolicychangewithinOCDCoraspecificissueaffectingthem.Theserequestswerehandleddifferentlydependingonthenatureoftheissueathand.For more general issues regarding the conditions of the facility, policies orsupplies, the issuesweremostoftenaddressedby contactingOCDCofficialswith a general outlineof thematters,whileprotecting the anonymityof thecaller(s). However, in cases such as medical emergencies, we contacted the

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appropriateOCDCsectionswherepossibleandidentifiedthecallerwiththeirconsent. Outlined below is a list of advocacy work undertaken by JAILvolunteers(seeFigure8),alongwithmoredetaileddescriptionsofwhattheseactivitieshaveentailedtodate.

AdvocacyLetters(Email) 43AlertingOttawaPublicHealth 2PressReleases 3PhoneCalls(OCDCAdmin) 15PhoneCalls(OCDCMedical) 21PhoneCalls(Ministry) 6PhoneCalls(CAB/Ombudsman) 11 FormalComplaints(CNO) 6 FormalComplaints(CPSO) 1 ResourceRequests 88 Total 196

Figure8:

AdvocacyWorkfrom10December2018to08March2019AdvocacyLettersAdvocacyletterswereutilizedtoinformOCDCadministrationofissuesbroughttotheattentionofJAILhotlinevolunteers.TheselettersweresentviaemailtoOCDCSuperintendentMikeWood.Inmostcases,SamErry(DeputyMinister,MCSCS)andMarkParisotto(RegionalDirectorEast,MCSCS)werecopiedoncorrespondence with OCDC administration. The response of the OCDCadministrationtowrittencorrespondencewaslimitedtoagenericemailthatoutlines the restrictions of their communications about individual prisonersbecauseof thePrivacyAct andexisting avenues throughwhich incarceratedindividualscanmakecomplaintsandseekresolutions.PhoneCalls(OCDCAdministrationandHealthcareUnit)PhonecallstotheadministrationandthehealthcareunitatOCDCweremadewhenanissuewas identifiedasrequiringurgentattention.Volunteers have

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hadlimitedsuccesscorrespondingwiththehealthcareunitoverthephone.Asaresult,thesecallswereprimarilyutilizedtoflagissuesthatwerealsoraisedvia email to ensure that matters were documented even if matters are notresolved.PhoneCalls(CAB&Ombudsman)Incaseswherecallershadalreadyexhaustedtheinternalcomplaintprocesses,andinemergencycircumstances,theOCDCCommunityAdvisoryBoard(CAB)andtheOntarioOmbudsmanwerecontacted.TheCABwascontactedbothbyvoicemail and email, primarily in cases that required urgent attention. TheOmbudsmanwascontactedtoregistercomplaintsmadebycallersdirectlytotheoffice,aswecannotmakethemontheirbehalf.FormalComplaints(CNO&CPSO)SixcomplaintsweremadetotheCollegeofNursesOntario(CNO),whoservesasaprofessionaloversightbodyfornursesemployedintheprovince,includinginjailsandprisons.One complaint was also made to the College of Physicians and Surgeons Ontario (CPSO). These complaints were all regarding restriction and misadministration of medication by healthcare unit staff.ResourceRequests“Resource Request” was a broad term utilized to describe non-complaintrelated advocacy work undertaken by the JAIL hotline. This includedsupportingcallersinfindinglawyersorobtaininglegalaidcertificates,sendingdocuments that the institution has failed to meet its requirement to makeavailable (e.g. Criminal Code, police complaint forms, CNO forms, etc.),providing information to individuals on their rights at OCDC and compilingresource lists. This also included connecting people with resources forrecovery,dischargecoordinationandmentalhealthservices.DirectActionIn response to themanyphone calls the JAILhotline received regarding therestrictive and expensive phone system at OCDC, the Criminalization andPunishment Education Project (which operates the hotline) held a

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#BellLetsTalkOCDC protest. This protest at Bell’s main office in Ottawaencouraged Bell and theMCSCS to reduce the high phone costs that createbarrierstocommunicationbetweenprisonersandtheirfamilies,andtoputinplacewhatisnecessaryforprisonerstocallcellphones.Thisevent,whichwasattendedbyoverfiftypeople,receivednationaltractionacrosssocialmediaandlocal news coverage.We are currently planning additional socialmedia anddirectactioninterventionstoraiseawarenessabouttheflawedphonesystemsothatchangescanbemadebeforeBellCanada’scontractwiththeMinistryexpiresin2020.MediaInterviewsThereportcontentsfromthefirstmonthofourworkhavebeenreportedbytheOttawaCitizen,OttawaSun,CBCNewsOttawa andotheroutlets.WewillcontinuetoengagemediaoutletstoraiseawarenessaboutconditionsatOCDCandrecommendationsforchangeemergingfromtheJAILhotlinecalls.PresentationsJAIL hotline volunteers are also raising awareness through presentations tocommunitygroupsandinacademicforums.

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MovingForwardThevolumeof calls received inour secondmonth (n=272) and thirdmonth(n=252)ofoperationswerenearlydoubletheamountofcallswereceivedinourfirstmonth(n=148).ThereareclearproblemsatOCDC.Thechangesbeingproposedarereasonableandrealistic,andwouldimprovelivingandworkingconditions at the jail. Despite a lack of uptake by the MCSCS and OCDCadministration, as well as some pushback from some OCDC staff membersonline,weremainsteadfastinourcommitmenttocontinuethiswork,aswellas optimistic that we can contribute to changes that will reduce the use ofimprisonment,whileimprovingconditionsofconfinementforbothprisonersandjailstaffonuncededandunsurrenderedAlgonquinTerritory.

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RecommendationsMethadoneandSuboxoneAdministration1) The resident doctor at OCDC should be permitted to prescribe

methadone in the short-term without the need for a communityopioidsubstitutionagreementform.

2) It iscritical foropioidsubstitution treatment tobeprovidedat thesametimeeverydayinordertopreventincarceratedpatientsfromexperiencingseverewithdrawalsymptoms.

3) TheMinistryofCommunitySafetyandCorrectionalServicesandBellCanada,thephonesystemoperator,needtoputinplacemeasurestoallowOCDCprisonerstomakenon-collectcallstocommunityserviceprovidersor community serviceprovidersneed toput inplace thenecessaryinfrastructuretoacceptcollectcalls.

AccesstoJustice4) Documents that enable people to advocate for their rights to be

respectedshouldbeavailableineverylivingunitatOCDC.5) Furtherworkneedstobedonetoensurethatprisoners,regardlessof

wheretheyarelocatedinthejail,havethecorrectphonenumberforLegalAidOntario.

6) Tofacilitatetime-sensitivecallsbetweenprisonersandprospectivesuretiesortheirlawyers,thejailphonesystemneedstoallowcallstocellphonesataffordablerates.

Segregation7) Reviewmechanismsneedtobeputinplacetoverifytheallegations

legitimatingsegregationplacementsortoappealthedecisionsmadeby the OCDC administration when the “security” pretense isoperationalized.

8) TheMay2018CorrectionalTransformationAct,whichincludeslimitsonwho canbeplaced in segregationand forhowalong, aswell asreview procedures, ought to be proclaimed into force by the newprovincialgovernment.

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PhoneSystem9) BellCanada,whoistheserviceproviderforthephonesystem,needs

to work with the Ministry of Community Safety and CorrectionalServicestoofferOntario’sprisonersanalternativetoimposingupontheirlovedonesthepredatoryratestheypaytostayconnected.

10) Bell Canada and the Ministry also need to put in place what isnecessaryforprisonerstocallcellphonesataffordablerates.

11) ShouldBellCanadaandtheMCSCSnotbeabletoputinplaceamoreaccessibleandlessexpensiveprovincialjailphonesystemwithinthespanof theircurrentcontract, theMinistryought tocontract theseservicestoanothertelecommunicationsproviderwhocandosowhenanewagreementissignedin2020.

StaffConductandAccountability12) It is critical that officers provide their badge numbers in order to

ensureprisonershaveavenuesavailabletoreportmistreatment.13) OCDCmanagement and staff should not tolerate disrespectful and

threateningstatementsmadebyanyoftheircolleaguesthatdeepenfrustration within the institution. Such instances should serve asadditional opportunities for pro-active peer-mentoring to enhancetheclimateatOCDC.

14) itisimperativethatallstaffholdthemselvestothehigheststandardsandthatwherecolleaguesfailtodosothatappropriatemeasuresaretakentoensureprofessionalism.

Healthcare15) ThehealthcareunitatOCDCneedstobebetterstaffedandresourced

toprovidemedicalandmentalhealthcareinatimelyandappropriatemanner.

16) TheMinistryresponsibleshouldimmediatelydedicatemoreexistingspacewithinOCDCsothatprivateexchangesbetweenprisonersandcareproviderscanoccurmoreoften.

17) OCDC and the MCSCS need to put in place protocols to ensureprisoners can take theirprescribedmedication in a securemanner

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that also follows their treatment regimen set out by medical andmentalhealthprofessionalswhoappeartobeconstrainedbyexistinginstitutional security concerns and protocols that produce greatinsecurityinthelivesofprisoners.

AirQualityandCleanliness18) Airfiltersinthejailshouldbereplacedmorefrequently.19) Unsanitary conditions throughout the facility require immediate

custodialattentionforhealthandsafetyreasons.

WinterClothing20) The MCSCS should immediately provide OCDC with the necessary

resourcestoissuewinterjackets,toques,glovesandsweatpantstoeach prisoner, and continue this practice in future winters goingforward.

CanteenPolicies21) Given thatprisonershave requested that the total canteenaccount

limitberaisedto$500,evenraisingitto$240wouldcutdowntheburden on their loved ones in terms of coordination, travel, andbudgeting.

22) The Ministry and OCDC administration should allow prisoners tocreatedistinctlistsforvisitationandcanteencontributionswithuptoeightnameseachsothatprisonersarenotforcedtoseverface-to-facetieswithsomeoftheirlovedonesinordertogetaccesstofundstopay for goods at predatory prices, which should be reviewed andreduced.

IntermittentSentencing23) Community-based alternatives to incarceration like temporary

absencesonweekendsshouldbeprioritizedmoreofteninordertokeepcriminalizedpersonsemployedandkeeptheirfamiliestogether,andimproveconditionsofconfinementatOCDC.