Edmonton / iNews880.com
2/10/2010
A month ago, a judge made the ruling that the conditions at the Edmonton Remand Centre were violations of the charter rights of prisoners.
Now, some inmates at the Edmonton Remand Centre have started a hunger strike to protest those conditions.
In a statement released through lawyer Erika Norheim, the inmates say: "The failure of the Stelmach government to take any action to alleviate the harsh conditions endured by inmates...demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the constitutional rights of Canadian citizens housed in the Edmonton Remand Centre."
Norheim says what's frustrating is that prisoners who have actually been convicted of crimes often serve their time in better conditions.
"I can't comment on the other Remand facilities per se" she says,"I can tell you as compared to the institutions in which sentenced inmates reside they are significantly poorer. Markedly different."
Norheim describes the conditions her clients say need to change:
"Locked up 23 hours per day. They still have have not had any access to gym or the outdoors. They have no radio, no access to media, no access to reading materials of their choice." She says. "So in essence, notwithstanding that this declaration that their rights were violated [came down] a month ago, nothing has been done to alleviate the situation."
Norheim adds says the conditions at the Remand are contrary to the values of our justice system.
"They're presumed innocent at law. They haven't been convicted of anything. They may well be totally exonerated." she says "Yet before that finding is made, they're being treated in conditions which have been declared cruel and unusual."
The inmates say supporters will rally outside the Remand Centre this afternoon between 4:30pm - 6:00pm. (EM,blb)
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Edmonton Remand Centre
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