IQALUIT
The Baffin Correctional Centre is beyond its life and it is time for it be shut down and replaced, according to a scathing report from the office of the correctional investigator.

The flooring in the behavioral unit of the Baffin Correctional Centre has been removed completely, exposing the cement floor. Most of the original drywall has been covered with plywood. - photo courtesy of Department of Justice

"BCC physical infrastructure is not safe for either staff or inmates, and hinders the ability of NU Corrections to fulfill its legal mandate of humane custody and rehabilitation," states the report.

During the review the federal investigator identified a laundry list of issues with the jail, many of which are a result of years of overcrowding.

The investigator spoke with 30 inmates and numerous staff members at BCC, including correctional officers, institutional health care staff and discharge officers. The manager of investigations also conducted a three-day site visit of the centre between March 12 and 14, 2013.

Nunavut Corrections commissioned the report, which was posted to the government's Department of Justice website last week.

The report raises concerns with security at the centre. The layout of the facility makes it difficult for staff to keep eyes on the inmates, leading correctional officers to be overly reliant on surveillance cameras.

Officers also struggle to prevent drugs and contraband from coming into the centre because of a lack of technology and limited search-and-seizure capacity. In fact, some inmates are hesitant to join programs outside of BCC because of pressure to smuggle illicit substances back in. The same situation is happening with family members who visit.

Inmates are using holes they have made in the jail's exterior walls to receive drugs.

"This raises concern about the security perimeter of BCC and its adequacy as a correctional facility," the report states.

BCC was built in 1986 and renovated in 1996. It is designed to fit 68 beds but at the time of the investigator's visit it housed 106 inmates.

Cells are over the occupancy rate and some inmates sleep in the gym.

The jail is of concern because, the report states:

• Inmates who sleep in the gym say they are afraid of being physically or sexually assaulted, particularly at night or when direct supervision is limited.
• Because of the current infrastructure, BCC does not separate inmates awaiting trial from those who are serving sentences - 70 per cent are on remand status while 30 per cent are convicted of crimes
• Cells can't be disinfected because there is no where else to house inmates when the cleaning is being done. As a result, there is mold in the living units and they smell rank.
• There are not enough showers and toilets available for inmate use. The high usage leaves little time for the facilities to be sufficiently cleaned.
• Both staff and inmates complained about air quality. Air vents in the facility are filthy, with many obstructed by dust.
• Inmates took issue with the lack of heat in the facility and with the clothing issued by BCC.
• Inmates complained that the clothing is dirty and smells even after being washed, and they disapprove of the practice of having to share (often permanently stained) clothing, including socks and underwear."
• Drywall throughout the facility has been damaged, compromising the integrity of the building in case of fire.

The report also noted problems with outdated NU Corrections Act and Correctional Service Regulations employed by BCC. Some practices mentioned in the act, the report states, are not consistent with the charter, including using a strait jacket for 24 hours, using chemical restraint without consent and prohibiting inmates to grow a beard or long sideburns.

Further, the report raises concerns about a section of the policy that requires staff to place inmates, who are at high-risk of committing suicide, in administrative segregation

"This practice is not consistent with evidence-based suicide prevention practices. Suicidal inmates should be placed in observation cells and not isolated. Interactions and support should be constant."

However, the report finds the policy's greatest deficiency is the lack of attention to Inuit inmates.

"The only Inuit-specific policy provisions are for programming (carving program and land program). There are no specific provisions for decision-making or for meeting religious and cultural needs. Moreover, very little addresses issues such as access to elders, language, cultural needs, and ceremonial and dietary requirements."

The report recommends that Nunavut revisit its legal and policy framework.

"This renewal will enhance openness, transparency, accountability and overall public safety performance, and solidify NU Corrections into the era of human rights."

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