First Light has released a legal guide for Indigenous people working their way through the correctional system.
The organization released the documents yesterday, which they say will help people understand their rights and the actions that they can take if they are not receiving cultural programming.
The organization states that Indigenous people in provincial custody are “likely being denied legal rights to access culturally appropriate programming and services.”
Executive director Stacey Howse says such programming is “non existent” in adult correctional facilities on the island, and is “extremely limited” at the one in Labrador.
First Light executive director Stacey Howse (VOCM News)
She believes the province has “legal obligations” to ensure such services are available.
Howse says after the release of their report on Indigenous over-incarceration in March, government committed to developing a workplan within six weeks.
They asked for an extension, but she says it has been over four months and that plan has not been completed.
Howse says the issue is “very urgent.”
She recognizes that they made the submission outside of government’s budget cycle, but still believes the matter should be addressed immediately.
