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Prisoners’ rights concerns continue to make headlines amid the COVID-19 chaos menacing Canada’s detention centres. In Alberta, the Edmonton Remand Centre’s COVID-19 quarantine unit has been reported to be so miserable, that some inmates have been hiding potential symptoms to avoid a mandatory two-week lockup, according to a former inmate.
The Edmonton Remand Centre’s quarantine unit has become known among detainees as “hell” due to the minimum 22.5 hours in lock-up, little time to shower or make calls, and no access to books or the canteen, reports the CBC.
Inmates at the Edmonton Remand Centre also raise concerns shared with many inmates in various detention centres across the country, arguing that they cannot protect themselves from COVID-19 because social distancing is nearly impossible and they do not have access to good hygiene practices or masks.
As the third inmate in the Edmonton Remand Centre tests positive for COVID-19, several prison class action lawsuits have been filed in Canada due to increased COVID-19 risks among the country’s inmate population. An inmate at the Mission Institution in British Columbia filed a Canada class action lawsuit after a fellow inmate died from COVID-19 complications. In Quebec, an inmate at the federal women’s prison in Joliette also filed a class action lawsuit after she contracted COVID-19.
COVID-19 risks in Canada’s detention centres have conjured a sense of urgency among inmates to get out of jail, and avoid potential contamination. Since the dawn of the pandemic’s pandemonium, courthouses throughout Canada have been dealing with an increasing number of bail hearings aimed at curbing the spread of the virus in prisons.
Edmonton Remand Centre: “Cruel” Quarantine Measures
Compliance concerns in the remand centre have not only been raised by inmates. A judge and lawyers warned Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health of the issues since April.
A sworn affidavit written by an inmate on July 25 describes the apparent inhumane quarantine conditions at the Edmonton Remand Centre: “The conditions of confinement are ordinarily cruel regarding being locked up 22.5 hours per day with almost nothing to do, but added to that is the intense fear I am experiencing of contracting COVID-19 and dying from it.”
The inmate’s testimony continues to describe quarantine as “hell, and I believe this provides an enormous disincentive for prisoners to truthfully report any symptoms.”
Although Alberta Health Services says strict protocols are in place to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in jails, which have been mostly successful thus far, the affidavit about the Edmonton Remand Centre raises questions regarding how consistently the protocols are being followed.
Other countries have also been called out for problematic COVID-19 prison measures, including the U.K. Many children of prisoners in the U.K. have not been able to visit their incarcerated parents for months due to COVID-19 prevention protocols, something lawyers say infringes upon children’s human rights.
Alberta’s COVID-19 Prison Protocols
Alberta Corrections reported just nine positive COVID-19 cases — three of which are linked to the Edmonton Remand Centre.
According to Sabrina Atwal, an Alberta Health Services spokeswoman, “infection prevention protocols” are in place at all Alberta correctional facilities. All new arrivals take a COVID-19 test and are reportedly isolated for a minimum of 14 days.
The infection prevention protocols then require that inmates be assessed for symptoms and potential exposure at least daily. The Edmonton Journal reports that the province’s detention centres have also “enhanced” cleaning procedures, reduced the amount of time inmates gather in groups and “minimized” movement in jail.
Nevertheless, Justice Donna Shelley of Alberta’s Court of Queen’s Bench wrote in a July 2 decision that the implementation of these protocols “has not been complete or prompt.”
She added that “there has been little testing and there is no random testing regime in place in relation to the hundreds or thousands of people who are either confined there or enter and leave it each day,” an issue raised in the Edmonton Remand Centre complaint.
COVID-19 protocols for Alberta’s detention centres are found in the Guide for Management of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Correctional and Remand Facilities in the Province of Alberta.
Among other things, staff are encouraged to reinforce hygiene practices, increase the distance between inmates, and disinfect common areas of the institution more often.
The guide also underscores the importance of providing individual activities for mental health reasons, something the affidavit made clear was not provided at the Edmonton Remand Centre.
Do you think Canada’s inmates should be offered better protections against COVID-19? What do you think about the Edmonton Remand Centre’s quarantine measures? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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13 thoughts on“Hell” at Edmonton Remand Centre’s COVID-19 Quarantine Unit
I cant believe there is such ignorance and showing any compassion (especially in these Covid times) The crime that was allegidly commited by the inmate was less than what the Police did when they beat him up while taking him to jail. I have been trying to contact many government offices for help to get bail for an inmate that was stopped for a traffic violation and then had the Police beat him up on the way to jail and then to the Remand Centre in Edmonton where has been for 7 months. I was told that once the judge makes a decision on a case, that there is no one to address regarding the decision except a higher court. Can you believe we are paying our taxes to allow these incompetents to put and leave your loved one in jail where Covid and the disregard of human rights is killing inmates, when they could reasonably be put on bail. Prior to this incident, I always questioned what the inmates were trying to tell us. Today, I can tell you, that the Judge and Prosecutor never once referred to the incident that was current, but concentrated on his previous record which was 6 or more years prior to this conviction and all been resolved. At the time of arrest, he was trusted and given a government contract to prepare a location where children that needed help could gather. The reason there was no bail offered is because the Police committed Charter and Civil Rights crime against the inmate and the Court would not address it. This is a story that probably has happened to many inmates and I would really like to get info from others that have had this experience and to contact me. The truth of the matter is, it is not affordable for one person to hire lawyers to present appeals to a higher court. This inmate that I speak of, will, one day, get out and will be taking action for what happened to him (if he survives Covid, lock-ups for 22.5 hours a day, terrible food, unable to buy canteen food (mostly all sugar) and expensive, no materials to read, very limited medical care and some spiteful staff (I know this first-hand as I have a disability and was treated with disdain and have had reports on guards who pick on people that have disabilities (mental and physical ). For those of you who think this is fabricated, try it, then write to me. Don’t get me wrong, there are many outstanding Police and officials, but there is corruption and it is happening to people like you and me.
.WELL…Miss Rightious, believe you are blind, can’t read and unable to discern what ‘innocent until proven guiity’ means. Oh, and did you know that the Remand Facility is a holding facility ONLY. Did you know that to go and plead at your bail hearing, it can take many months/years so people can PROVE there innocence? And furthermore, and I am afraid to ask, do you know what the charter of rights is about? Look it up before you write your nonsense.
I suggest you do some research on your uneducated comments and/or better still have someone lock you in your bathroom for 22.5 hours a day with no reading or writing materials, no tv or radio and if you are hungry, don,t worry, the food on a plate they will slide under door looks like somebodys leftovers.-Nutrition (sorry they dont know what that word means) you Say–whomever approves this menu eats garbage (find out who prepares this menu–its all in the family-$$$$ ) Don’t dispair, there is always ,the Canteen–oops need money cause the snacks you can buy out here that cost 50 cents are $1.00. Hope you have a rich family. You will enjoy this part the most—make sure your toilet doesn,t get plugged up cause that is how it will stay for a few days. Oh yes, want a shower??? Sorry tap broke off a week ago, so you cant shower, maybe next week. AAAAH, finally after 22.5 hours in your bathroom, you finally get to use the phone to call your lawyer. Only one phone so have to move fast…oh no!! 5 other people already in line..no phone call for you today. Oh wel,l you get to try again tomorrow, and the next day and the next day…. maybe, if you an get to the one. This one you will really like. While you are locked down for your 22.5 hours, have people bang on your bathroom door and call you names and degrade you as a human being. I think you might like that part.Tell me that you would want to be a few feet away from another incarcerated person when Covid is rampant and Alberta leading with over 18,000 persons infected. Guards wanting a break or havent finished their card game or drank too much the night before,,,,Yelling COVID, COVID,,,.sorry lady, back to your bathroom for lock down,,that takes care of the 1-1/2 hours you thought were free time. Finally, if you ever have had a hemmroid, dont ask the medical people help out, because they dont know what that was or what to do about. First hand TRUE STORY.. One last thing,,,are you aware that those innocent people that survive this outrageous incarceration are more than likely to hate and retaliate in some way? They need our support. You can’t make me believe you hold such malice…and if so,
I think you better lock yourself in the bathroom after, in your ignorance, you wrote. Make sure it is for at 3-6 months so you get a real feel of what some people are enduring (and this is only part of this disgraceful behavior of our hired and elected officials.. God help you!!!
P.S. The more people in Remand , the more taxes you pay
The edmonton remand center is hell.
My husband is also incarcerated
To the ladies with the same circumstance….
587 785 4372
My bf got arrested on Thursday night & has been at the remand since Saturday. I’ve heard from him twice since. Once on the night he got pulled over, to inform me where he was, & what happened. Then once more on Sunday afternoon for 5 mins. & Nothing since.
A friend of mine has been there since December 2020. And the conditions at ERC during Covid is absolutely horrible.
And now for the past 3 days – 3C in several units, have no water, no hot water, unable able to flush the toilet, only out 1 time a day for 15 minutes. They are confined to there level and can go out for yard. Have to make a choice to make other shower or call a loved one.
They hygiene of these inmates are drastically Deteriorating, the mental health of a lot of inmates are deteriorating as well.
This is against human rights, and I understand these men / woman did something possibly and this is why they are at the ERC. But also they are still people, and deserve the basics of life. Example water!!!
So I just did 12 of the last 14 months at ERC. From August 2020 to Nov 2020 I did a total of 6 weeks STRAIGHT of 23.5 hour a day lock up. On top of that I got segregated for 30 days for being a code..
Which I was found NOT GUILTY of, AFTER doing the 30 days. I was allowed out of my cell for max of 10 mins on each shift… Total was 20 mins a day. I ended up self representing because we were unable to make calls to legal aid. Mind you we could barely do anything. No books, no pens, no paper, not even a bible. We were allowed to stare out a window (if you were in a cell that didn’t have frosted windows) We were constantly yelled at for pressing the call button when we need hygiene products. Apparently it’s an EMERGENCY call button only. Although the placard appears to be missing those words. I ended up being a scab to society a few more time ensuring my total quarantine time has totalled 20 weeks… However, to the person that claims ‘we criminals’ should be afforded anything… Well not everyone in jail is a criminal. Some people have a mental illness, some are paying off fines, some are falsely accused. I know made my mistakes, but I guarantee I have far more education than you could even fathom. I know this because of you closeminded, judgemental attitude. I’d rather sit in quarantine than be anywhere near you in a public or private setting. You disgust me more than the COs at ERC ever have
So my spouse is currently incarcerated at the Edmonton Remand Centre since Aug 14th,2020 and the conditions regarding quarantine are insane, prisoners are not allowed to make the alloted number of calls to family and friends, have absolutely nothing to do for the 14 extreme, lonely days that they are there, there are no books, t.v’s, and very little communication within these walls, let alone being able to call there loved one’s, and I’m gonna put this out there because it needs to be known that some guards are NOT wearing their masks as they should be and I was told that the guards sit at their station without them on, and are NOT implementing social distancing, proper hand washjng, and that after each inmate that uses the phone another one comes along and there is no disinfection in place regarding after each use,no masks, no gloves, people are depressed worried, scared, lonely, miserable, alone, and suicidal, another thing he has witnessed is cell mates using drugs, doing drug deals and furthermore my husband was quarantined for 14 days, then placed on a different unit where he stayed up until 2 prisoners were tested positive for Covid and those 2 men were placed on a quarantine sick unit, and the others were moved to other units without being tested, and placed with others with no regard for any of them being able to have an opinion whether they could/should be moved, or tested, I’m extremely worried sick, and everyone is confused, not knowing what’s happening half the time because there is such a back log of cases, and I’m gonna spit this out that my cousin was also arrested for Murder in June and had a court appearance in October and he was released that night, I’m not gonna go into details but my husband is pleading not guilty, and his charges are nothing compared to my cousins who was released on a $2000 dollar no cash bail with no conditions, so how the hell is that even possible, our kids are seriously missing their father, and we just keep getting the run around from the lawyer, who is through Legal Aid Btw, and can’t seem to get things sorted out prior to his court dates, and no one knows anything at all, yes these people are accused of these crimes, but it’s just that, accused of, not found guilty yet, that are remanded until their court date and then it just gets put over to another date so don’t come at me saying they did the crime, they need to pay the time, innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, these people in there are human beings and they are fathers, brothers, sons, and uncles, they are important, wanted, missed, and Loved and deserve to be informed, and the guards are carelessly playing with human lives, and something needs to be done to help, and protect our Loved ones, someone needs to be their voice and inform people as to what is happening to remanded people, we need to make a change quick, because we are getting more and more cases of Covid in Edmonton, Alberta and they will only continue to rise as this second wave hits us. Also I want to point out that regarding the drugs how are they even getting access to them, how are they getting into the jails? because when you are remanded they put every person on a body scan, pretty much like an x- ray to see if they have anything in their body cavities, and are thoroughly stripped searched, they is only one answer it has to be the guards or trusted people in the legal system, who are illegally bringing it in. So if your gonna comment on how they did the crime, so they can suffer and die, keeps ur comments to yourself if ur gonna come at me saying they have no rights, then you know nothing and should not even bother at all.
thank you for saying what you said i am going the same right now my boyfriend has been in the erc for almost three weeks now only aloud out of cell 10 mins a day with no canteen no phone calls he isnt even aloud a pen to right on a request form he isnt even aloud the form he says he is losing his mind i dont no what to do i have never heard him like this he asks to speck to a c3 three and nothing something has to be done i dont think they are telling the truth about the number of casing going on in there either this is so wrong
Contact global news something needs to be done that bullshit
You gave up your rights when you became a criminal. Change your ways, change your life, stop crying. You deserve nothing. When you get out ensure you don’t go back. Get it?
Lol, just because someone made a wrong choice, doesn’t make them a bad person. There are some people in there, who have the biggest hearts i’ve ever seen, unlike yours. whom do not deserve to be in there whatsoever but the justice system sucks & can’t tell right from wrong i guess. this was the mist ignorant response I’ve seen in awhile.
You my dear are a small minded ignorant being. People make mistakes they are human, that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve fair treatment. Your an embarrassment to Albertans.
You are Seriously ignorant. Karma will hear this and i promise you something bad is going to happen to someone you love Darlene MARIE Burroughs.