Elizabeth Fry Society welcomes ombudsman's investigation into conditions at Sask. women's jail

The head of an organization dedicated to prison reform is welcoming an investigation into the conditions at a women's jail in Prince Albert, Sask. 

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan will encourage people at the Pine Grove Correctional Facility to work with Saskatchewan's ombudsman, said the organization's executive director. 

"We will be posting on our social media and encouraging the women that we support that if they do have some issues that they'd like to fight with the ombudsman that they absolutely do that and we'll be providing wraparound supports to them," said Nicole Obrigavitch in an interview Wednesday. 

This week, ombudsman Sharon Pratchler issued a rare public call for testimony. 

Pratchler asked people incarcerated at Pine Grove to contact her office to share their experiences and how the conditions at the facility have affected them.

"We are aware of significant concerns through complaints made to our office, and decided it is in the public interest to investigate," said Pratchler. 

In July, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan raised the alarm about overcrowding at the women's jail. 

Officials with the provincial government confirmed that on July 12, there were 263 inmates at the jail which was designed to hold a maximum of 166 inmates. 

There have also been two inmate deaths at Pine Grove this year. 

That's why Obrigavitch is welcoming the news of an investigation. 

"We just really feel that women who are incarcerated, they're often ignored and stigmatised, and we hope that this investigation gives them a voice," she said. 

Obrigavitch does not believe that the over-capacity issue should fall on the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety.

She believes it is not the ministry's fault, pointing to how they're likely doing the best they can with a building first constructed in 1965. 

Instead, the executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan believes overcrowding in the jail is fuelled by the ongoing drug crisis and housing shortage in the province. 

That does not mean the society wants the province to build more jails or prisons, Obrigavitch said.

"We believe that more resources should be going into community for housing," she said, adding that health-care problems also need to be addressed. 

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan recently received a $330,000 commitment from the provincial government to provide reintegration supports for female offenders leaving custody. 

That funding will be spread over two years. 

Obrigavitch pointed to that kind of programming as a potential solution to easing the load on the criminal justice system. She says the ombudsman investigation may also spur change. 

"We just really feel that women who are incarcerated, they're often ignored and stigmatised, and we hope that this investigation gives them a voice," said Obrigavitch. 

Ombudsman launches investigation

In a news release sent Monday, the ombudsman's office said it would considering to what degree trauma-informed practices and truth and reconciliation principles are incorporated into the treatment of individuals in the care of Pine Grove.

There's no clear timeline on how long an investigation will take as that "will depend on how many people come forward and the kinds of issues they raise," the news release said.

A report with recommendations will be issued once the investigation is complete. 

People can contact the ombudsman in the following ways:

• Call dedicated lines at 1-844-608-1180 (toll-free) or 306-787-4236, available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, plus Friday evenings and Saturday.
• Go to ombudsman.sk.ca and click on Pine Grove Complaint Form.
• Write a letter to the ombudsman at 500–2103 11th Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 3Z8.
• Request an in-person meeting with the ombudsman or a member of her team, who will travel to communities, including northern communities.