An inmate at Leclerc prison died in early January after complaining for hours, apparently in vain, about increasing difficulty breathing. Another tragedy occurred within these same walls on November 21 when a 42-year-old woman, mother of three children, committed suicide in broad daylight.
UQAM professor of social work, Catherine Chesnay is on the eve of publishing a research report on detention conditions in Quebec prisons. The number of suicides and suicide attempts have increased, she notes.
“We have little information regarding self-mutilation and suicide attempts,” says M.me Chesnay. However, she observes a sharp increase in suicide attempts in officially declared Quebec prisons. There were 42 of them in 2019-2020. However, the figure increased to 71 in 2021-2022. The pandemic has created conditions of isolation that are even more difficult than before.
These figures do not tell everything about the real situation in place, observes the academic. “This is what is reported to us. This does not necessarily correspond to everything that is experienced inside. » According to Professor Chesnay, “we saw a significant deterioration with the pandemic”.
There is a significant failure in information sharing
Prisoners in Quebec are, all things considered, almost twice as likely to commit suicide as those in Ontario. And they have on average a risk of suicide 7.5 times greater than the general population.
Breathing problems
The inmate who died last week was suffocating. She said she was running out of air. She was screaming. She should have received more attention from the staff of the Leclerc prison, at least consider sources consulted by The duty. His respiratory problems had worsened, various sources indicate. She had requested treatment. In vain.
These are fellow prisoners who would have helped the victim, during the interval of resuscitation attempts, as best they could.
Does a lack of staff in this Quebec prison partly explain why the victim was left to her own devices before the worst happened? “We have no staffing problem at Leclerc,” said Mathieu Lavoie, president of the Union of Peace Officers in Correctional Services of Quebec (SAPSCQ), in an interview. However, in several other prison institutions in Quebec, overtime is obligatory due to a lack of staff, he explains to Duty.
Since this death, several inmates have been treated with antibiotics. These women were in the wing occupied by the victim, according to other information obtained by The duty. The reason for this treatment has not been specified, but is believed to be linked to the death.
Professor Chesnay points out that several coroner’s reports note a flagrant lack of appropriate care provided to detainees. “I am not surprised by this death,” says Professor Chesnay, “but I am shocked.” A coroner will investigate.
Suicide before Christmas
The woman who committed suicide on November 21, in the afternoon, did not yet know her sentence. She was considered a simple defendant. Around 40% of the population of the Leclerc prison center is made up of remand prisoners. Women held there receive maximum sentences of two years less a day.
The woman was suffering, according to indications obtained by The dutyof an addiction problem for which she did not get all the necessary help.
For his part, Mathieu Lavoie notes that “there was an increase in suicides during the pandemic” in Quebec prisons, but not particularly at the Leclerc establishment.
Pressed repeatedly by The duty to answer questions about these recent tragedies, the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) limited itself to confirming the two deaths. It adds that “in all detention facilities, incarcerated people have access to health care services provided by the Department of Health and Social Services.”
It is very difficult to obtain information from the MSP, regrets Professor Catherine Chesnay. “There is a significant lack of information sharing. »
The president of the SAPSCQ agrees: “The ministry is not very talkative about all the questions that can be asked of it. » The union claims to be forced to resort to access to information requests to obtain certain information.
Shortcomings
Leclerc prison, a federal penitentiary for men which became a mixed establishment, then a prison for women only, has on several occasions been criticized for its dilapidation.
The annual report of the Québec Ombudsman repeatedly notes problems in Quebec prisons, while demanding changes in particular with regard to Leclerc prison. A new construction, expected to emerge from the ground by the end of the decade, was announced by the MSP. The building would be erected in the vicinity of the current Bordeaux prison.
Beyond the building, the Public Protector notes general failings with regard to the care provided to prisoners, particularly women. The general conditions of detention of women remain unacceptable in Quebec, the organization has noted on several occasions.
Professor Chesnay is of the opinion that it would be better to invest more in prevention rather than in concrete. “There are questions to be asked about Leclerc prison, but also about the way in which we incarcerate women for short periods with serious consequences on their balance. »