Federal politics: still hope for prisoners under-paid

Archival Photo Chantal Poirier

Guillaume St-Pierre

On Monday 29 January 2018 17:41

UPDATE
On Monday 29 January 2018 17:41

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OTTAWA | All is not lost for the inmates working in federal penitentiaries who are demanding a pay increase, despite a setback in federal Court Monday.

The tribunal has decided that the money offered to prisoners should not be considered as a salary, but only as an incentive to participate in rehabilitation programs.

The inmate pay has not increased since 1981. These latter receive a maximum of $ 6.90 per working day, not counting deductions of 30 % for accommodation, food and access to the phone.

For the court, the plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate that this situation is cruel and unusual punishment, which would violate the canadian constitution.

But the prisoners who want to be paid more, can still hope to win their battle for better pay.

The guard dog of detainees denounced the system of compensation as it considers “absurd” and dangerous for years. And he has not let go of the piece.

In a telephone interview, Ivan Zinger argues that the decision of the court is far from ending the debate. He recalled that the question of wages in prisons is first and foremost a political issue.

Mr. Zinger is also returned to the charge in demanding changes in its annual report for 2015-2016.

Correctional Services Canada (SSC) was therefore to produce a report on the issue before the end of the year 2017. The document is, however, always wait.

The office of the Security minister Ralph Goodale, responsible for the file, said to wait to see the report before making a decision. But it does not close the door to changes in the remuneration system.

“Effective rehabilitation helps to ensure the safety of our communities,” responded the minister by the voice of his press secretary, Scott Bardsley.

It has not been possible to obtain a response from SSC on Monday.