SECU Committee Report

Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Addiction in the Federal Correctional System

Dissenting Opinion by Government Members of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

December 13, 2010

It is well known that the committee began this study in response to the death of Ashley Smith.[1] An incident such as this is first and foremost a human tragedy that has deeply affected her family, and is of concern to all Members of Parliament.  We reiterate our sincere condolences to the family.

Following Ms Smith’s death, the government immediately asked the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) to launch an investigation into her case and to include any issues of compliance with the law, and the policies and procedures of CSC.

Government members, from the beginning, have supported the Committee of Public Safety and National Security’s (the Committee) efforts to study this issue and to produce a report.  We feel obliged however, to make known publicly, our position on these matters, how we disagree with what this opposition dominated committee has put forward, and what we propose as an appropriate way forward.

At the outset, it should be noted that Government members of the Committee take no issue with the Committee’s findings that correctional institutions should not be serving as hospitals by default.  And that, in general, prison is not a suitable environment to treat the mentally ill.  That said, the government has been taking responsible steps to ensure that mental health issues in our prisons are properly addressed.

In Budget 2007, the government committed $55 million (over five years) towards a Mental Health Commission.  The creation of the Mental Health Commission of Canada was a key recommendation of a Standing Senate Committee report on mental health, mental illness and addiction in Canada. It is the cornerstone of our government’s strategy to address mental health issues in Canada.

Significant additional resources have already been provided to CSC specifically.  In 2007, CSC received $21.5 million (over 2 years) to support key elements of its Institutional Mental Health Strategy.

CSC’s Mental Health Strategy includes:

• a comprehensive mental health screening at intake for offenders;
• enhanced primary mental health care in institutions;
• consistent standards at treatment centres;
• intermediate mental health care units; and
• preparation for reintegration and transition into the community.

In the 2008 Federal Budget, CSC received permanent funding of $16.6 million annually for institutional mental health services, commencing in 2009/10.  The funds are directed towards screening and assessment, primary care and in-patient care within institutions.

A factor made clear during the Committee’s hearings was that an exacerbating challenge to dealing with mental illness is drug use.  This is a concern for correctional organizations throughout the world and is a well known contributing factor to criminal behaviour.

We strongly disagree with the majority of the Committee on how to address this matter.  Illicit drugs in federal prisons compromise the safety and security of correctional staff as well as our communities.  Providing needles, even if it is done under the guise of harm reduction, means putting a potential weapon in the hands of convicted criminals.  Further, drugs undermine the success of rehabilitation programs.

80% of offenders entering CSC institutions have identified problems with substance abuse.  To combat this issue, CSC has in place an Anti-Drug Strategy, the key elements of which are:

• prevention;
• intervention; and
• enforcement

The Committee learned that starting in 2008/09; CSC began expanding its drug detector dog program by hiring 10 new teams of drug detector dogs during fiscal year 2008-09 and aims at hiring a total of 80 new teams by 2012-13.  By 2011, CSC will have hired 165 new security intelligence officers, analysts and administrative support staff both in institutions and in the community to strengthening intelligence operations.

In order to improve the searching of all visitors entering an institution, 30 new x-ray machines and 20 ion scanners were replaced or installed.  Furthermore, CSC is enhancing perimeter security by staffing additional towers and watch points to combat drugs being thrown over fences and walls.

We recognize that the recruitment and retention of mental health professionals continues to be a challenge. We are in agreement with the Correctional Investigator, Howard Sapers, that this requires ongoing attention.  In support of the implementation of the Mental Health Strategy, CSC has implemented several management practices such as the provision of mental health training to both mental health professionals and correctional staff.

With all of these considerations in mind, with an eye to building on the improvements made by this government thus far, and with an understanding that public safety must be of paramount consideration in these matters, it is recommended by the government members of this committee that;

1. In light of permanent funding provided in budget 2008 and commencing in 2009/10 that CSC continue to work towards implementation of its Mental Health Strategy with an emphasis on intermediate care.

2. It is recommended that Correctional Services Canada continue to examine ways of strengthening drug interdiction monitoring activities.

3. That Correctional Services Canada consult with stakeholders, including provincial agencies, with a view to amending existing policies, and developing new policies to better reflect the priorities of the Anti-Drug Strategy.

4. In keeping with previous recommendations made by the Independent Review Panel, and with the Government’s continued commitment to tackling crime, that a more rigorous approach to drug interdiction be implemented in order to create safe and secure environments where offenders can focus on rehabilitation.

5. That the government continue to support the renewal and modernization of Correctional Services Canada’s aging infrastructure.