January 29, 2013
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C.,
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Block
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2
Canada
Dear Prime Minister:
With the inquest into the tragic death of Ashley Smith in progress, the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) respectfully urges the Government of Canada to examine and review current practices in how the criminal justice system deals with inmates who suffer from mental illness.
In this regard, CASW encourages the Government of Canada to take the lead in implementing Canada’s national mental health strategy, Changing Directions, Changing Lives. This national mental health strategy blueprint for change validates established research which shows that individuals with mental health issues do not belong in prisons but in health care facilities or in the community with the proper supports. One of the key priorities of Changing Directions, Changing Lives is to reduce the over-representation of people living with mental health problems and illnesses in the criminal justice system, and provide appropriate services, treatment and supports to those who are in the system.
Consequently, CASW encourages the Government of Canada to implement the criminal justice recommendations of the national mental health strategy:
• Increase the availability of programs to divert people living with mental health problems and illnesses from the corrections system, including mental health courts and other services and supports for youth and adults.
• Provide appropriate mental health services, treatments and supports in the youth and adult criminal justice system, and ensure that everyone has a com¬prehensive discharge plan upon release into the community.
• Address critical gaps in treatment programs for youth and adult offenders with serious and complex mental health needs.
• Increase the role of the ‘civil’ mental health system in providing services, treat¬ment, and supports to individuals in the criminal justice system.
• Provide police, court and corrections workers with knowledge about mental health problems and illnesses, training in how to respond, and information about services available in their area.
As the Mental Health Strategy of Canada notes, estimates suggest that rates of serious mental health problems among federal offenders upon admission have increased by 60 to 70 per cent since 1997. Prisons are not, and should not be expected to be treatment centres, nor are prison staff mental health professionals.
The mission of our organization is to advocate for improvements in services that are provided for the security, health and well-being of Canadians. Social workers in all fields of work including the criminal justice system are prepared and willing to do our part in this regard. We are confident that you will provide the courageous leadership necessary at this time to make the important decisions to address the current challenges within the criminal justice system.
Sincerely,
Morel Caissie, MSW, RSW
President
Canadian Association of Social Workers
cc. The Honourable Thomas Mulcair
Leader of the Official Opposition and New Democratic Party of Canada
The Honourable Vic Toews
Minister of Public Safety
The Honourable Bob Rae
Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
Daniel Paillé
Leader of the Bloc Québecois
Randall Garrison
NDP Public Safety Critic
Francis Scarpaleggia
Liberal Public Safety Critic
