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http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2006/08/09/1725854-sun.html
Reproduced under the Fair Dealings Act
Wed, August 9, 2006
Big payouts for inmates
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, SUN OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA -- Canadian taxpayers have awarded federal inmates more than $1 million in the last two years to settle lawsuits over intrusive drug searches, exposure to secondhand smoke, inadequate medical treatment and injuries suffered during brawls behind bars.
Records show the Justice Department closed the book on 178 lawsuits in 2004, 2005 and the first six months of this year, resulting in payouts of $1.2 million to convicted criminals. Many of the specific payments listed in summary reports of legal action against the Crown, obtained by Sun Media through access to information, were blacked out. Justice spokesman Christian Girouard said settlements made outside court orders are considered "private information."
The documents show inmate Jason Pothier received an undisclosed settlement last year after suing for $25 million. Pothier said he deserved monetary compensation for loss of health because Correctional Service of Canada policy denied him methadone treatment for a heroin habit he developed behind bars. Feeding his addiction with dirty needles led him to contract HIV and hepatitis C, and he said CSC acted negligently because his health care did not meet acceptable standards of care and therefore infringed his charter rights.
Records also show Tracy Curry, doing time for second-degree murder, received $13,500 after suing an Ontario prison for conducting a body search after sniffer dogs detected drugs on her. Another inmate got $5,000 for exposure to secondhand smoke, while another reaped $732,000 after an inmate assault.
Toronto lawyer Charles Roach, who has handled many lawsuits from prisoners, said inmates have the right to safe and secure care while in custody of the Crown.
"They're still human beings, and they still retain fundamental rights under the charter," Roach said.
But Steve Sullivan, president of the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, called it "outrageous" that criminals have reaped financial windfalls at taxpayers' expense while victims are left with a lifetime of grief. Many victims suffer severe financial hardship as a result of crime and don't receive any federal compensation, he said.
Reproduced under the Fair Dealings Act
Wed, August 9, 2006
Big payouts for inmates
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, SUN OTTAWA BUREAU
OTTAWA -- Canadian taxpayers have awarded federal inmates more than $1 million in the last two years to settle lawsuits over intrusive drug searches, exposure to secondhand smoke, inadequate medical treatment and injuries suffered during brawls behind bars.
Records show the Justice Department closed the book on 178 lawsuits in 2004, 2005 and the first six months of this year, resulting in payouts of $1.2 million to convicted criminals. Many of the specific payments listed in summary reports of legal action against the Crown, obtained by Sun Media through access to information, were blacked out. Justice spokesman Christian Girouard said settlements made outside court orders are considered "private information."
The documents show inmate Jason Pothier received an undisclosed settlement last year after suing for $25 million. Pothier said he deserved monetary compensation for loss of health because Correctional Service of Canada policy denied him methadone treatment for a heroin habit he developed behind bars. Feeding his addiction with dirty needles led him to contract HIV and hepatitis C, and he said CSC acted negligently because his health care did not meet acceptable standards of care and therefore infringed his charter rights.
Records also show Tracy Curry, doing time for second-degree murder, received $13,500 after suing an Ontario prison for conducting a body search after sniffer dogs detected drugs on her. Another inmate got $5,000 for exposure to secondhand smoke, while another reaped $732,000 after an inmate assault.
Toronto lawyer Charles Roach, who has handled many lawsuits from prisoners, said inmates have the right to safe and secure care while in custody of the Crown.
"They're still human beings, and they still retain fundamental rights under the charter," Roach said.
But Steve Sullivan, president of the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, called it "outrageous" that criminals have reaped financial windfalls at taxpayers' expense while victims are left with a lifetime of grief. Many victims suffer severe financial hardship as a result of crime and don't receive any federal compensation, he said.
