Alberta’s child advocate calls for changes to segregation, use of pepper spray at young offender centres

Sep 9, 2019 | 1:48 PM

EDMONTON – Alberta’s child advocate wants the province to decrease the use of segregation and pepper spray in young offender centres.

Del Graff says in a report that Alberta needs legislation similar to laws in other provinces that limit the segregation of young inmates.

He also says Alberta is one of only four provinces that allows the use of pepper spray in its young offender centres.

He says the province changed a policy in 2016 making it easier for correctional officers to use pepper spray in the youth centres.

Graff adds the use of the spray has steadily increased since then, but it should only be used in exceptional circumstances.

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“Young people in custody often have complex needs and may present with difficult and challenging behaviours,” said Graff. “It is imperative that the Young Offender Branch explores approaches to improve the health and well-being of young people while ensuring a safe environment for everyone. I sincerely hope the recommendations from this report will be quickly acted on to improve the circumstances for youth in custody.”

Alberta’s two young offender centres one in Edmonton and one in Calgary house an average of 90 young people a day.

A copy of the report: “Care in Custody: A Special Report on OC Spray and Segregation in Alberta’s Young Offender Centres” is available on the provincial government’s website.

by Canadian Press

Alberta’s child advocate calls for changes to segregation, use of pepper spray at young offender centres

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