I support this motion. Having worked in the probation and parole services for about 13 years, I know how important it is to ensure that criminals coming out of jail have some skills. Over and over again, at both the provincial and federal levels, we have seen the difficulties they have in getting counselling, in getting proper support when they come out, and in getting proper skills while they're in.
These farm prisons have proven to be quite a benefit to society, not only to the criminals but also to the community. There are mechanical skills and welding skills; it's not just about farming. Even if they go to a city, some of these skills will benefit them. If they're fairly young or have few skills, at least when they come out of prison they will be confident that they have learned something, that they can be productive in society. That's why we should not close these farm prisons.
I'm going to read a bit of what my colleague Alex Atamanenko would have liked to share with you. He believes that the objective of our prison system is to enhance public security and to increase the inmates' chances of a positive return to Canadian society, and he thinks it would be hard to imagine a better way to achieve both of these outcomes than through farm prisons. Many of the mechanical skills learned in these programs, such as welding and equipment operating, are readily translated into other livelihoods, such as construction and road building. Most important for the inmates is the opportunity to be involved in meaningful work, which can only bring value to their lives and enhance their chances of rehabilitation. In light of the growing demand for leadership on food security and food sovereignty issues and concerns about the future of farmland, Mr. Atamanenko considers it incomprehensible to contemplate closing the farm prisons.
I agree with my colleague, and that's why I believe it is important to keep these farm prisons active. We should not be looking at destroying them but at building more. It's important to do this, and I'm supporting this motion.