Prisons filled with the mentally ill

December 7, 2011

As the Conservatives are getting ready to pass their omnibus crime bill, a report released by the Canadian Psychiatric Association reveals that more than 1 in 10 male inmates and nearly one in three female inmates held in federal penitentiaries have mental illness. The number has climbed steadily alongside the closure of mental institutions across the country. With the passing of the Omnibus crime bill, prison populations will increase. Prisons currently do not have the trained staff or the resources to provide treatment to the mentally ill. Despite the lack of resources within prisons, the Conservatives rejected a motion by the Liberals to ensure provision of trained staff for mentally ill inmates in their new crime bill.  Read more in the Globe and Mail.