The National Union sees the detention of a 30 year old Ottawa man with Down syndrome and bipolar disorder as highlighting the national crisis in mental health and criminal justice systems.
Ottawa (11 Feb. 2009) — The housing of a 30 year old Ottawa man with Down syndrome and bipolar disorder in a segregated cell at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre is a shocking example of a mental health system and a criminal justice system that are both in crisis.
The man has been charged with assault after an incident involving a worker at his group home. He is currently awaiting a bail hearing.
Dave Lundy, with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), is concerned that the man is being kept in “horrific” conditions at the detention centre. OPSEU represents the correctional officers in the facility.
Correctional officers are expressing concerns about their ability to provide the necessary support to the individual. According to Lundy the staff are “not given the training to help an individual like that.”
“The reports I have are that he’s standing in his own … urine,” Lundy said, adding the man soils his sheets and needs his diapers changed.
“If you’re going to house a developmentally disabled individual such as that in a jail, what’s next?”
A national crisis
The National Union has been working to raise awareness of the crisis in mental health and correctional services.
In a 14-page brief to the Mental Health Commission of Canada the National Union recommended broad change in four key areas – the national public health care system, health human resources, community-based social services and the criminal justice system.
The report points out that a “lack of institutional and community-based support and services has meant that many people dealing with mental illnesses fall through the cracks and end up in the criminal justice system.”
"Our members who work in provincial correctional facilities report that the population of new inmates with significant, identified mental health needs is surging at a serious rate. Our governments must act swiftly to ensure these Canadians get the treatment and support they need rather than being placed in correctional facilities."
Correctional facilities not suited for inmates with mental illnesses
The individual in Ottawa falls in the gap for those with mental illnesses who become entangled in the criminal justice system but who are not seen as either unfit to stand trial or not criminally responsible for the alleged crime. Without a safe and appropriate place for these individuals far too often correctional facilities are used to house them.
Mr. Lundy called the detention at the jail a “tragedy” and expressed concerns not only about the safety and wellbeing of the inmate but also the correctional officers.
Lundy points out that the guards have done as much to help the individual as they possibly can. “That’s not their job, to be social workers,” he said.
Download No Health Without Mental Health pdf
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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