The Correctional Investigator of Canada, Dr. Ivan Zinger, is departing from his role ahead of schedule due to frustrations with the government’s lack of action on systemic human rights issues faced by federal prisoners. Zinger expressed his disappointment during the presentation of the annual report focusing on mental health, emphasizing the need for more responsiveness from the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and its superiors to enhance mental health services for inmates.
Zinger highlighted that without a shift in approach from the CSC and political leaders, improvements in mental health care within prisons will be unattainable. He urged for greater acknowledgment of existing problems and concrete steps to address the issues, emphasizing the importance of heeding his office’s recommendations to avoid legal repercussions in the future.
In his final annual report before his early departure, Zinger’s office detailed findings from six investigations into mental health care quality in federal prisons. The investigations revealed deficiencies in mental health services, particularly for women and elderly inmates, as well as common issues such as outdated policies, inadequate staff training, and limited post-release support programs.
The report also criticized the Regional Treatment Centers (RTCs) for federal inmates, labeling them as unsuitable for acute mental health cases. Zinger recommended transferring individuals with long-term psychiatric needs to external hospitals for specialized treatment, a suggestion that was rejected by the CSC, citing the necessity to maintain in-patient psychiatric care within RTCs.
Zinger’s report further criticized the government’s plan to construct a $1.3 billion hospital for inmates in New Brunswick, deeming it a misallocation of resources. He proposed reallocating the funds to establish partnerships with local hospitals for improved mental health care delivery. While some of the recommendations were accepted by the CSC, Zinger expressed skepticism about the potential for meaningful change.
Despite his disappointment with the lack of progress in implementing prison reforms, Zinger expressed contentment with the impact of his office’s reports in prompting legal actions to enforce human rights standards for federal inmates. He highlighted the role of legal challenges in compelling the government to meet its obligations towards prisoners.