‘Need solutions that may make us uncomfortable:’ Lawyer calling for release of all non-violent OCDC inmates

In order to avoid a COVID-19 disaster inside Ontario jails, a local Criminal Law Specialist suggests all non-violent offenders must be released.

Michael Spratt with Abergel Goldstein and Partners LLP told 1310 NEWS' The Rob Snow Show on Thursday, more than 70 per cent of inmates at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre on Innes Road are waiting on trials which have been postponed until June at the very earliest.

Spratt said most of these people have places to go where they can isolate and even be monitored electronically if needed.

“Even before COVID-19, Ottawa jail is where a woman gave birth in her cell and people were sleeping in mold-infested showers,” he explained of the conditions inmates are facing. “The Toronto-south jail, back in December — again, uncontested by the [Ontario] government — the court found that inmates were being provided with linens and clothing and bedding, stained with human feces and blood.” 

Spratt said these are the breeding grounds for infection, and it's not just infection and death he thinks is bound to happen within provincial jails, but every time an inmate needs medical attention, that's one less respirator or one less bed for someone in the community.

He argues, it's also costly to keep people in jail at a time when the province is looking for cheaper solutions to COVID-19 problems.

“During this extreme crisis, we need to look for solutions that may make us feel uncomfortable,” said Spratt. “[Releasing non-violent inmates] is for the good of the community and it's the humane thing to do.”

Guards at Ottawa's jail refused to work on the morning of March 31, due to the lack of COVID-19 screening of those going inside the institution, according to the union representing its correctional workers.

Spratt said temporary absence permits can be issued to inmates by the parole board or Crown attorneys can grant bail to those awaiting it. On a larger scale, there could also be legislation or directives given by Attorney Generals at different levels of government to see inmates released.

Spatt concluded that there have been rules and policies to help one or two cases at a time, but he is calling for “strong, across the board, uniformed action.”