Malik is calling from the jail asking for the numbers of any Muslims he can contact just to talk to, maybe hear some Quran from. The last time he prayed with community was during Ramadan last year, and since then, his requests for spiritual services have been denied. Last year, Muslim prisoners at Burnside (Central […]
Six public policy failures in one morning news recap
Morning File, Wednesday, November 14, 2018
November subscription drive Sorry to pester you again, but just a short note to say we’re in the middle of our annual subscription drive. The Halifax Examiner needs your money to make this work possible. Please subscribe. Subscription party details: Reserve Sunday, November 25 on your calendars. We have Bearly’s Tavern, 1269 Barrington Street, 4-7pm. The […]
Welcome to the new Halifax Convention Centre! Here’s your $100 fine for smoking on the sidewalk
Morning File, Wednesday, September 12, 2018
News 1. Burnside jail update The prisoners at the Burnside jail have ended their 20-day strike and have issued a statement, which reads in part: Dear supporters, You are commended for your work on our behalf. None of us thought that we would gain so much support by sharing our conditions with the public. The […]
Prisoners at the Burnside jail end 20-day strike, issue statement
Editor’s note: the prisoners at the Burnside jail have ended their 20-day strike. They have issued this statement to the Halifax Examiner. Dear supporters, You are commended for your work on our behalf. None of us thought that we would gain so much support by sharing our conditions with the public. The negative perception of […]
“Culture of fear”: a former guard relates his experience at the Burnside jail
"The moment you walk in the door at Burnside you are stripped of your dignity and humanity. No matter your sex, religion, or creed. No matter if you are an inmate or staff member."
A former correctional officer who worked at Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility (the Burnside jail) is concerned that the lack of attention to conditions in the jail will lead to violence and to people getting hurt. The former officer contacted the Halifax Examiner and spoke about his experience working at the jail on the condition […]
The Burnside powder keg: Broken promises, dehumanizing body scans, unfair solitary confinement, non-working toilets, lockdowns, and more
"We have 40 guys living together in the same room, without any physical equipment, no physical outlets. It’s very hard, and it’s gonna lead to violence."
The Halifax Examiner is covering the prisoner protest at the Burnside jail: • The statement released by the prisoners can be read here. • An interview with Jason MacLean, NSGEU President and correctional officer is here. • A prisoner account about the staffing shortage, the lockdown, and the problems with the change to a direct supervision […]
Guards refuse to work in the new day room at the Burnside jail; prisoners have been on lockdown since the weekend
On Sunday (August 19), the Examiner published a statement by prisoners at the Burnside jail outlining the conditions in the jail and presenting 10 demands. Jason MacLean, NSGEU President and correctional officer responds here. The protest is in part sparked by the move to the direct supervision model. Both staff and prisoners say that the change […]
The prisoners at the Burnside jail are engaged in a non-violent protest; here is their statement
Today’s column has been provided to the Halifax Examiner by organizers of the protest in Burnside. We, the prisoners of Burnside, have united to fight for change. We are unified across the population in non-violent, peaceful protest. We are calling for support from the outside in solidarity with us. We believe that it is only […]
I toured the Burnside jail, and then asked prisoners what they thought
On Tuesday morning, I attended the media tour of Burnside jail with Tim. Tim summarized the tour this way: This was a PR exercise on the part of Corrections, and as such things go, was well-run. Corrections staff were informative and answered even the most pointed questions. Reporters did not, however, get the chance to […]
Correctional Officer table at job fair sends the wrong message
I’m a community education and outreach intern, and so was asked to go to the Success College job fair to speak with students. As we set up our table, I was surprised to see a couple of correctional officers setting up their own table — I was surprised because I recognized them from when I […]