The Toronto Star reported today that the Durham Regional Police have changed their menu for prisoners attending court.
Most prisoners attending court in Durham Region travel one hour from Lindsay jail where they remain for a twelve hour period before returning to Lindsay. Prior to departure they are fed a standard hot breakfast and receive a hot dinner upon their return to the prison.
During the twelve hours they are at court, they receive one granola bar and one juice box.
Several defense lawyers are now arguing this in an effort to have prisoners fed properly.
Apparently this is a problem not exclusive to Durham Region.
So far, one Scarborough judge, Justice Lawrence Feldman, has adjourned court proceedings and said "call me when these men are fed and fed appropriately" (Toronto Star)
The article reports that Durham Police Superintendant, Michael J Ennis, defends the lunch ration reduction by explaining that feeding prisoners while they're at court in Durham is very costly. In fact the burden of cost is paid by Durham taxpayers.
Supt Ennis is then quoted as suggesting that the Lindsay jail "send a box lunch and we'll keep an eye on it, make sure no one is tampering with it, and prisoners get the food they deserve and require."
Clearly Supt Ennis feels that prisoners are not currently being fed properly, but that Durham is putting their foot down because these prisoners are the provinces responsibility. I wish he would have come out and said that directly rather than having to piece his comments together through this article.
My concern is that some members of the public will look at this and say 'well they're prisoners, they don't deserve more than a granola bar and a juice box.'
Now, i understand that i'm just reading a report in a newspaper.
Is it the media not reporting a clear message or is it the Regions no making their message clear.
If it is truly a matter of which level of government is responsible for the cost of lunch, then I'd like to see that made very clear.
It's unfortunate that prisoners have to be starved in order for the public to be brought up to speed on this budgetary fighting between the province and municipalities.
Shame!