The John Howard Society agrees with recent concerns raised by the Law Society of NL that the inmates at HMP are being denied their basic human rights.

The Law Society says inmates are not able to meet with legal counsel, and that some lawyers have been unable to meet with their clients incarcerated at HMP.

Cindy Murphy of the John Howard Society says they’ve been hearing the same concerns for a number of months.

Something the public may not understand, according to Murphy, is that most inmates at HMP are there on remand, awaiting the court process.

“What that means” says Murphy “is that they haven’t been convicted of any offence that’s before the courts. So they’re waiting to go to trial.” She says those on remand represent about 70 to 75 per cent of the 150 or so inmates at the Pen. “It’s critically important that they’re able to meet with counsel.”