As prisoners age and become ill, their situation becomes increasingly dire

The federal prison population is increasingly Indigenous, grappling with mental health issues and aging behind bars. Time in prison is the punishment. But for people sentenced to Canada’s federal prisons, the punishment comes in many forms: increased violence from guards and other prisoners alike, nutritionally inadequate food and a complete lack of accountability.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Sarah Speight and Jarrod Shook from the University of Ottawa write about the bleak picture of life in Canadian penitentiaries. For Shook, it’s not a remote situation because incarceration is his daily experience. But behind bars or not, the recent report from the prison watchdog is a troubling account of a government agency failing the people for which they’re responsible.

Also today:

All the best.

Vicky Mochama

Culture, Society, Critical Race Editor

Today's Featured Articles

The annual report from Canada’s prison watchdog paints a bleak picture of a prison system where violence between and against prisoners is concerning. (Shutterstock)

Canadian penitentiaries: Dangerous for aging and palliative prisoners

Sarah Speight, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

This year's oversight report into the penitentiary system shows that long-standing problems have become entrenched in Canada's federal prisons.

Medical workers in health crisis zones need access to research evidence to inform decisions. Above, workers at a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China on Feb. 21, 2020. Chinatopix via AP, File

Coronavirus: 5 ways to put evidence into action during outbreaks like COVID-19

Ahmad Firas Khalid, McMaster University

In a health crisis, decisions about treatment and containment must be made quickly. It’s crucial those decisions be based on research evidence, but fast and easy access is not always available.

A Bombardier sign welcomes travellers to Berlin Central Station, where Bombardier’s rail division headquarters are located. Canada’s failure to invest in rail infrastructure has hurt Bombardier. (Wikimedia)

Bombardier woes reflect Canada’s failed infrastructure policy

Klaus Meyer, Western University

Building infrastructure takes time. To develop sustainable transportation, Canada needs to invest in high-quality infrastructure that will enable us to make environmentally friendly travel choices.

Striking school teachers protest outside a speech by Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce in Toronto on Feb. 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

A largely female teaching force is standing up for public education

Shannon D. M. Moore, University of Manitoba; Melanie D. Janzen, University of Manitoba

Neoliberal governments are getting away with cutting public funding to education — by framing education as women's work that needs a strong managerial hand.

La Conversation Canada

Des soldats congolais patrouillent dans les rues de Beni, au Congo, en juillet 2019. L'armée officielle côtoie une centaine de groupes armés issus de la société civile. AP Photo/Jerome Delay

Une centaine de groupes armés sème le chaos au Congo

Valentin MIGABO, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

La lutte armée en RDC, qui implique une centaine de groupes, est utilisée par le pouvoir et les trafiquants pour semer le chaos, dans le but de rendre le pays ingouvernable.

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