2013:04 DOUBLE BUNKING AND OVERCROWDING IN CANADIAN PRISONS
Whereas 1 it was reported in March 2012 that architectural and engineering firms were tasked with designing expansion and renovation of federal prisons with standard cells to be built with provision for “future upper bunks”; and
Whereas 2 more than half of the correctional institutions have applied for and received permission to double bunk; and
Whereas 3 the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (UNSMR), endorsed by Canada, states that “each prisoner shall occupy by night a cell or room by himself/herself”, and that it is not desirable to have two prisoners in a single cell; and
Whereas 4 the high rates of mental illness, drug addiction, violence, communicable disease, and gang affiliation make overcrowding and double-bunking an increasingly harsh, tense, and stressed environment leading to unsafe conditions for both prisoners and staff and to a rise in the use of force to quell problems; and
Whereas 5 the passing of legislation – The Safe Streets and Communities Act – includes the use of mandatory minimum sentencing and changes to conditional sentencing, both leading to more prisoners and probable overcrowding; therefore be it
Resolved 1 that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopt as policy that double-bunking in Canadian prisons be eliminated; and be it further
Resolved 2 that NCWC urge the Government of Canada to halt immediately the use of double-bunking; and be it further
Resolved 3 that NCWC urge the Provincial Councils of Women to urge their provincial governments to halt immediately any move to increase the use of double-bunking.