OTTAWA - At least one group that never got a chance to make its pitch before a Commons committee reviewing the omnibus crime bill is now coming forward to voice its concerns after Conservatives used their majority Monday night to push the bill through the House of Commons.
Forensic psychiatrist and Canadian Psychiatric Association board member Gary Chaimowitz will be in Ottawa Wednesday to put forward a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the problem of mental illness in provincial and federal prisons - something critics have argued is completely ignored in Bill C-10.
``The issue exists notwithstanding this bill, but the bill will likely exacerbate the crisis for patients with mental illness in the criminal justice system,'' Chaimowitz said in an interview Tuesday, noting that in some parts of the country as much as half the inmate population could be suffering from mental illness and not receiving proper treatment.
``It is timely.''
In a position statement written by Chaimowitz, the Canadian Psychiatric Association is calling on the government to:
* Screen inmates upon admission for psychiatric problems and institute a treatment plan where necessary.
* Enhance the mental-health services available in prisons and jails both federally and provincially.
* Ensure correctional officers have the necessary training to handle inmates with psychiatric illnesses.
* And create special units to deal with the seriously ill who aren't legally able to consent to treatment and now are often kept in segregation.
``I think corrections are bearing the brunt of failures elsewhere but the truth is, that's where many of the mentally ill are ending up,'' Chaimowitz said. ``The fact they're there, to my mind, if they're ill they need to be able to receive treatment.''
Representatives from Manitoba First Nations groups are also expected on Parliament Hill Wednesday to express their concerns with Bill C-10.
The opposition has argued the bill was rushed through too quickly and did not receive adequate debate, including discussions with stakeholders.
The government denies the claim, noting the Safe Streets and Communities Act is comprised of nine pieces of legislation - much of which were debated in previous Parliaments.
The Conservatives failed to pass the bills individually as a result of their minority status and have since promised to approve them all in one fell swoop within 100 sitting days.
The bill seeks to impose minimum mandatory sentences for drug production and sexual offences involving children, eliminates house arrest in certain cases and gets tough on young offenders, those seeking pardons and Canadian offenders jailed abroad.
Critics argue the cost of the legislation will be enormous, that it favours incarceration over rehabilitation and reintegration and that it will lead to prison overcrowding.
Proponents say the bill goes a long way toward holding criminals fully accountable for their actions and ensuring the protection of Canadians and the needs of victims are paramount under Canada's justice system.
Origin
Source: Canada.com
Forensic psychiatrist and Canadian Psychiatric Association board member Gary Chaimowitz will be in Ottawa Wednesday to put forward a series of recommendations aimed at addressing the problem of mental illness in provincial and federal prisons - something critics have argued is completely ignored in Bill C-10.
``The issue exists notwithstanding this bill, but the bill will likely exacerbate the crisis for patients with mental illness in the criminal justice system,'' Chaimowitz said in an interview Tuesday, noting that in some parts of the country as much as half the inmate population could be suffering from mental illness and not receiving proper treatment.
``It is timely.''
In a position statement written by Chaimowitz, the Canadian Psychiatric Association is calling on the government to:
* Screen inmates upon admission for psychiatric problems and institute a treatment plan where necessary.
* Enhance the mental-health services available in prisons and jails both federally and provincially.
* Ensure correctional officers have the necessary training to handle inmates with psychiatric illnesses.
* And create special units to deal with the seriously ill who aren't legally able to consent to treatment and now are often kept in segregation.
``I think corrections are bearing the brunt of failures elsewhere but the truth is, that's where many of the mentally ill are ending up,'' Chaimowitz said. ``The fact they're there, to my mind, if they're ill they need to be able to receive treatment.''
Representatives from Manitoba First Nations groups are also expected on Parliament Hill Wednesday to express their concerns with Bill C-10.
The opposition has argued the bill was rushed through too quickly and did not receive adequate debate, including discussions with stakeholders.
The government denies the claim, noting the Safe Streets and Communities Act is comprised of nine pieces of legislation - much of which were debated in previous Parliaments.
The Conservatives failed to pass the bills individually as a result of their minority status and have since promised to approve them all in one fell swoop within 100 sitting days.
The bill seeks to impose minimum mandatory sentences for drug production and sexual offences involving children, eliminates house arrest in certain cases and gets tough on young offenders, those seeking pardons and Canadian offenders jailed abroad.
Critics argue the cost of the legislation will be enormous, that it favours incarceration over rehabilitation and reintegration and that it will lead to prison overcrowding.
Proponents say the bill goes a long way toward holding criminals fully accountable for their actions and ensuring the protection of Canadians and the needs of victims are paramount under Canada's justice system.
Origin
Source: Canada.com
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