Prisons in Canada not keeping track of sexual assault allegations

By Jaskiran Kooner

A report by The Globe and Mail is shedding some light on sexual assaults taking place in Canadian prisons for women.

According to the report, Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) does not keep track of employees accused of sexual assault by inmates.

The problem is also fueled by the failure to believe prisoners when they bring forward allegations.

Jessica Hutchison a PhD candidate in the faculty of social work at Wilfrid Laurier University says one major problem is the power dynamic within the system.

“Sexual assault is inherent in prisons given the extreme power dynamic between women who are in prisons and those who have power over them and the majority of guards in women's prisons are actually men.”

She said we need to get rid of the institution completely.

“What we need to do is decarcerate women, let's bring them out of prison into the community. We actually need to abolish prisons themselves because they are just places that are inherently violent particularly sexually violent against women.”

In recent years at least three guards have been charged with sex crimes against inmates including a 56-year-old corrections officer at the Grand Valley Institute for Women in Kitchener.

CSC along with the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers said they condemn any form of harassment or assault by its workers and take matters of sexual violence and coercion very seriously.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today