The Safe Harbour Outreach Project is hosting a pop-up demonstration this afternoon in recognition of Prisoners Justice Day which falls on August 10th.

SHOP says the majority of people in prisons are living in poverty, are homeless, live with untreated mental health issues, have low literacy rates, are Indigenous, or sex workers.

It says more than 70 per cent of those in federal prisons struggle with untreated addictions and mental health issues and 77 to 87 per cent of people in prisons in Newfoundland and Labrador struggle with mental health issues, addictions, or both.

SHOP says the province must “Divest in Prisons and Invest in Communities.”

A pop-up demo is planned today on Water Street in St. John’s from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.