Mr. Speaker, would you like a membership in a club that gives you more time to lift weights, play baseball and ping-pong? It is easy to join. One just needs to be an inmate at Drumheller Annex in Alberta.
The assistant warden says the reason for giving prisoners more leisure activities is so they will not want to escape. Last year Drumheller had nine escapees.
Apparently Correctional Service Canada has decided inmates spend too much time just watching TV and chatting. What is CSC's solution? Give the inmates more perks so they will not want to escape. Officials are even going to add a gym, woodworking equipment and an activity room. Is this part of prison rehabilitation so inmates can get future jobs as ping-pong instructors?
What will the minister offer victims and victims' families? Law-abiding citizens must often deny their own children such benefits in order to pay the taxes that provide perks for prisoners.
Today's lesson for the solicitor general is prison is not supposed to be fun and games.