The PC Justice critic says government could lower the temperature at HMP by releasing more inmates on remand or those doing time for petty crimes.
Helen Conway Ottenheimer pointed to options such as electronic monitoring, or ankle bracelets, to reduce overcrowding and volatility at the ancient prison, in turn reducing the risk.
Her comments come following the death of another HMP inmate this past weekend.
Thirty-five-year-old Seamus Flynn died after being taken from the prison to hospital late Friday night.
Inmates have reported being told he died of “an illness.”
Conway Ottenheimer has been critical of government’s silence and lack of information about this death, and another one about four months ago.
She says staff and their union, NAPE, as well as advocacy groups have called on government for solutions to solve the myriad of issues plaguing HMP.
Conway Ottenheimer says reducing the prison population, by releasing non-violent offenders, would be a good start.
“If they have committed minor offences and they’re not a threat to public safety, they can easily be supervised in our community,” she said. “And if there needs to be house arrest, if there needs to be electronic monitoring, there are so many alternatives to incarceration.
“There are also a number of inmates who are down there on remand, so they may be potential candidates for those measures.”
Flynn was due to be released from prison this week but was still facing dozens of weapons, drug, fraud, theft and driving charges.
His name remains on the court docket for Dec. 13th and Jan. 9th.
The online obituary states he was “the most beautiful baby boy.”
“We always loved you Seamus and we will forever miss you. You walked a life of pain with your addiction. Leaving yet another family with your shattered hopes and dreams never to be realized. Your end of hope to love and hope for education, hope to be free of drugs and yet feel contentment and accomplished. It was possible Seamus. It always was.”
Donations to the Gathering Place are encouraged in his memory.
