Mr. Speaker, carceral institutions with populations primarily from BIPOC communities violate the fundamental human rights of incarcerated persons, and the pandemic has made it even worse. Federal and provincial institutions in Manitoba are in a public health crisis, dealing with multiple COVID-19 outbreaks, including 27 cases reported yesterday at a women's correctional centre.
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba has been calling on governments to improve access for families and outside supports and to release youths, individuals who are immunocompromised, those on remand or those imprisoned for administrative reasons.
The right to adequate conditions for health and well-being is recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Incarcerated women have the right to health, safety and security of the person. This guarantee is enshrined in our Charter. Women currently being housed in these institutions are grandmothers, mothers, sisters and aunties. The government needs to listen to families and organizations to ensure their safety.