2005:01PU Federally Sentenced Women
Whereas in 1990, the National Council of Women of Canada adopted policy which supports the use of community-based agencies and programs for Federally Sentenced Women (FSW) with mental disabilities with treatment in the community where possible; and
Whereas research confirms that FSW with mental health needs are best served by intensive support of community agencies; and
Whereas keeping such women in the community does not preclude the use of locked forensic facilities in circumstances where public safety concerns are very high; and
Whereas women with mental disabilities housed in the Structured Living Environments of the Regional Facilities for FSW Units which house medium and minimum security FSW may be incredibly damaged by their incarceration and by staff poorly trained to deal with women with mental disabilities; and
Whereas Clause (e), s.17 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations places mental disability as a security classification: therefore be it
Resolved: that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy
a. the mental health needs of Federally Sentenced Women be recognized as health needs and not as security needs; and
b. FSW with mental health needs serve their sentences in the community under mental health supervision and support; and be it further
Resolved: that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government to:
a. remove Clause (e) from s.17 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations, thus disallowing the use of mental health as a risk factor potential for violent behaviour; and
b. recognise mental health needs of FSW and health needs and not security needs; and
c. research how best to ensure that FSW with mental health needs may serve their sentences in the community under mental health supervision and support.