Prisoners'
Justice Day
August 10, 2003
August 10th is a day set aside to remember all the men and women who have died unnatural deaths inside Canadian prisons.
This August 10th marks the 27th Anniversary of Prison Justice Day, a day when prisoners across the country go on a one day hunger strike and work stoppage to protest the deaths of all the men and women who die at the hands of an apathetic prison system.
"It was started by prisoners in a maximum security prison in Ontario after two prisoners died in solitary confinement. One of these prisoners, Eddie Nalon, was in solitary because he had refused to work, and the other, Bobby Landers, was in solitary because he was part of a group of prisoners who were trying to organize a prisoners strike. For prisoners, fasting and refusing to work are the only means of peaceful protest." ~ excerpt by Anna McCormick
On August 10th 1974, Eddie Nalon bled to death in a solitary confinement (segregation, the hole) cell at Millhaven. He had been sent to segregation as punishment for refusing to work on June 7th. The maximum penalty was 30 days in the hole on a restricted diet. The Segregation Review Board met on July 31st and recommended his transfer back to general population, however nobody bothered to tell Eddie.
Eddie was a lifer and knew the workings of the hole, he knew that he should have been be released, at the latest, on either August 2nd or 9th. When the 9th came and went without the anticipated release Eddie slashed the veins in his arm.
Each cell was equipped with an emergency call button that could be used to alert the guards to any problems in that unit. Eddie pushed his button, other prisoners pushed their buttons and nobody came. At the inquest into his death it was determined that the call buttons had been deactivated at the control panel in the guard's station. The Coroner's Jury made several recommendations including the immediate repair of the emergency call system.
In May 1976, another prisoner, Bobby Landers, died in that same unit from a heart attack. On the night before he died he had tried to get medical attention, but the call buttons had still not been repaired. At the inquest into his death a heart specialist testified that he should have been in intensive care, not solitary confinement.
Prisoners at Millhaven put out the call for August 10th to become a national day of remembrance for prisoners who die preventable deaths from suicide, murder and medical neglect. Prisoners across the country go on a one day hunger strike and work stoppage.
On the outside, it is a day of action and protest against the Canadian Government and correctional departments for their continued indifference to implement recommendations made through numerous Commissions of Inquiry, Task Forces and Special Investigations which would improve prison conditions.
Prisoners' Justice Day is ...
...August 10, the day prisoners have set aside as a day to fast and refuse to work in a show of solidarity to remember those who have died unnecessarily -- victims of murder, suicide and neglect.
...the day when organizations and individuals in the community hold demonstrations, vigils, worship services and other events in common resistance with prisoners.
The day to raise issue with the fact that a very high rate of women are in prison for protecting themselves against their abusers. This makes it obvious that the legal system does not protect women who suffer violence at the hands of their partners.
...is the day to remember that there are a disproportionate number of Natives, African-Canadians and other minorities and marginalized people in prisons. Prisons are the ultimate form of oppression against struggles of recognition and self-determination.
The day to raise public awareness of the demands made by prisoners to change the criminal justice system and the brutal and inhumane conditions that lead to so many prison deaths.
The day to oppose prison violence, police violence, and violence against women and children.
The day to publicize that, in their fight for freedom and equality, the actions of many political prisoners have been criminalized by government. As a result, there are false claims that there are no political prisoners in north American prisons.
The day to raise public awareness of the economic and social costs of a system of criminal justice which punishes for revenge. If there is ever to be social justice, it will only come about using a model of healing justice, connecting people to the crimes and helping offenders take responsibility for their actions.
The day to renew the struggle for HIV/AIDS education, prevention and treatment in prison.
The day to remind people that the criminal justice system and the psychiatric system are mutually reinforcing methods that the state uses to control human beings. There is a lot of brutality by staff committed in the name of treatment. Moreover, many deaths in the psych-prisons remain uninvestigated.
Source:
http://www.prisonjustice.ca/prisonjustice/politics/1014_history.html
TAKE ACTION - do something!
Where to write (postage free) voicing your concerns about conditions in prison:The Honourable Wayne Easter
Solicitor General of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-2406
Fax: (613) 995-7408
Email: Easter.W@parl.gc.ca
The Honourable Hon. Martin Cauchon
Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 995-7691
Fax: (613) 995-0114
Email: Cauchon.M@parl.gc.caThe Right Honourable Jean Chrétien
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900
Email: pm@pm.gc.caNo postage required on mail sent to the house of commons address from within Canada.
When writing about women in prison, please email a copy of your letter to CAEFS - Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
Email: caefs@web.ca
Fax: (613) 232-7130.Source: updated from info at
http://www.prisonjustice.ca/prisonjustice/action/protest_contactinfo.html
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Page last updated August 10, 2003