GC42 Treatment of Prison Inmates (GC42 2015 - 069)

The 42nd General Council (2015) direct the General Secretary, General Council to: 

1. contact the Prime Minister, the party leaders and appropriate ministers calling on them to eliminate solitary confinement; 

2. contact the Prime Minister, the party leaders and appropriate ministers calling on them to:

   • Provide better training of staff regarding mental health issues of offenders; 

   • Schedule mental health assessments and development of treatment strategies; 

   • Ensure transfer of inmates prone to injuring themselves to treatment centres; 

   • Ensure that there is adequate oversight of prison conditions. 

   • Work more closely with the John Howard Society, the Elizabeth Fry Society, and the Canadian Mental Health Association in developing better strategies for treatment and training. 

   • Work more closely with the interfaith chaplaincies. 

3. That we encourage communities of faith to do the same.

GC42 2015 ROP, pp. 200-201, 503