The NDP says inmates at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary in St. John’s are regularly being denied basic human rights according to a letter sent from the Law Society to the Minister of Justice.
In the letter, the Law Society outlines a number of concerns including the fact that some lawyers have been unable to communicate with clients incarcerated at HMP, and that some clients are not being brought to court for appearances.
President Scott Worsfold requests that the provincial government make “the requisite changes in order to ensure the protection of detainees’ constitutionally protected rights.”
(Photo via lsnl.ca)
The minister’s office responded, indicating that the department has initiated a number of measures including the addition of 25 new Corrections recruits with more cadets undergoing training.
NDP justice critic Lela Evans says staffing at HMP is not a new problem, and Minister Hogan must agree to take the letter seriously and act immediately to ensure that those incarcerated at HMP have access to basic human rights.
