stevesboo23
02-18-2005, 10:55 AM
New rules for female killers?
DOUG BEAZLEY, EDMONTON SUN
The federal prison system is looking at killing a rule that automatically places female murderers in maximum-security lockups for the first two years of their sentences. The policy change was recommended by the Canadian Human Rights Commission in its recent review of conditions in women's prisons.
The CHRC says women given minimum life sentences for first- or second-degree murder shouldn't automatically be sent to maximum-security prisons, since not all of them fit the risk profile of maximum-security inmates.
This week, the Correctional Service of Canada said it was reviewing the policy. In the meantime, all women newly convicted of first- or second-degree murder will have their cases reviewed by the Deputy Commissioner for Women.
'MIXED FEELINGS'
"There's a lot of mixed feelings in the CSC about women murderers," said Kevin Grabowsky, Prairies representative for the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers.
"People think the little old grandmother who killed her husband isn't really a risk. But she still took a life. We've got women in the system who are huge security risks, who take hostages and assault guards with weapons."
Grabowsky said he thinks the CSC is toying with abandoning the mandatory-maximum-security rule because it doesn't have enough spaces for maximum-security female prisoners.
The CHRC also expressed concerns about CSC hiring male guards to work in women's prisons. It suggested the large number of women prisoners who've suffered sexual abuse might be uncomfortable around male guards.
LIFTED MORATORIUM
Janet-Sue Hamilton, warden at Edmonton's maximum-security women's prison, said the prison lifted a moratorium on hiring male guards five years ago.
"It was a matter of seeing that male corrections officers worked well in other prisons," she said. "We have maybe four or five male officers out of a staff of 57.
"We take precautions. Male officers cannot conduct or be present for strip searches, and they can't monitor cells where inmates are kept prior to a strip-search.
"We've never had a complaint against a male officer, and I think they actually provide a natural balance to the environment here. They provide positive male role models for inmates."
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2005/02/18/934785-sun.html
DOUG BEAZLEY, EDMONTON SUN
The federal prison system is looking at killing a rule that automatically places female murderers in maximum-security lockups for the first two years of their sentences. The policy change was recommended by the Canadian Human Rights Commission in its recent review of conditions in women's prisons.
The CHRC says women given minimum life sentences for first- or second-degree murder shouldn't automatically be sent to maximum-security prisons, since not all of them fit the risk profile of maximum-security inmates.
This week, the Correctional Service of Canada said it was reviewing the policy. In the meantime, all women newly convicted of first- or second-degree murder will have their cases reviewed by the Deputy Commissioner for Women.
'MIXED FEELINGS'
"There's a lot of mixed feelings in the CSC about women murderers," said Kevin Grabowsky, Prairies representative for the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers.
"People think the little old grandmother who killed her husband isn't really a risk. But she still took a life. We've got women in the system who are huge security risks, who take hostages and assault guards with weapons."
Grabowsky said he thinks the CSC is toying with abandoning the mandatory-maximum-security rule because it doesn't have enough spaces for maximum-security female prisoners.
The CHRC also expressed concerns about CSC hiring male guards to work in women's prisons. It suggested the large number of women prisoners who've suffered sexual abuse might be uncomfortable around male guards.
LIFTED MORATORIUM
Janet-Sue Hamilton, warden at Edmonton's maximum-security women's prison, said the prison lifted a moratorium on hiring male guards five years ago.
"It was a matter of seeing that male corrections officers worked well in other prisons," she said. "We have maybe four or five male officers out of a staff of 57.
"We take precautions. Male officers cannot conduct or be present for strip searches, and they can't monitor cells where inmates are kept prior to a strip-search.
"We've never had a complaint against a male officer, and I think they actually provide a natural balance to the environment here. They provide positive male role models for inmates."
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2005/02/18/934785-sun.html