Special thanks to the Fifth Estate and CBC. Plus reader comments on Ashley Smith’s “nightmarish place”
January 12th, 2010
This is the first time that MISSISSAUGAWATCH has made a reader’s comment an entire Blog. I share it here for two reasons.
One. Ashley Smith was in the news again recently. (cut-and-paste)
Dead NB teen’s family calls for broader inquest
Family boycotts teen’s inquest
Suicidal teen inmate gave warning signs
Troubled NB teen shown in dramatic prison video
Video shows teen begging prison guards not to use a Taser: CBC
Family boycotts inquest into teen’s death
And I watched this video on YouTube and simmered.
Video: “Video: “Ashley Smith, 19, Troubled N.B. teen shown in dramatic prison video (3:12 min)
Ashley Smith is shown being restrained in a New Brunswick correctional facility, where she was pepper sprayed and jolted by a Taser, in footage obtained by CBC’s The Fifth Estate. (CBC)CBC has obtained dramatic footage showing New Brunswick teenager Ashley Smith, who died in prison in 2007, being pepper sprayed and about to be jolted with a Taser in her cell during the almost four-year period prior to her death. (CBC’s The Fifth Estate.)
(Click here to go directly to the clip on YouTube)
I became more outraged as I watched. I encourage you to watch as well and imagine this video to be a little like Freedom of Information —meaning both video and Freedom of Information serve as a window into the truth. A window into Ashley Smith’s private behind-the-scenes Reality at the Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener —the prison’s Mr. Hyde.
Go to the Grand Valley Institution for Women’s website and you get:
Ontario Region
About the Institution
Grand Valley Institution (GVI) is a multi level facility located in Kitchener, Ontario. GVI opened in 1997 and can accommodate up to 118 inmates.
Inmates are housed in buildings (houses) arranged in campus style (clusters), one structured living environment house and one secure unit.
The Institution provides a positive and supportive environment focused mainly on women’s timely and safe reintegration.
The Institution provides a positive and supportive environment”… that’s the lying Dr. Jekyll.
“positive and supportive environment”…
I didn’t even have time to cool down when reader “Tim” left this comment and managed to stoke my anger further.
| Submitted on 2010/01/10 at 12:25pm by “Tim” |
| A while before Ashley was sent back East she was assaulted by an on duty guard in her cell here in Saskatoon.
About four years before this incident I made many complaints about the Regional Psychiatric Center to our MP Carol Skelton. I was a visitor to this so-called hospital. My bigger complaint was the reduced responsibility allotted to the psychiatrists and psychologists working there. Not only were the security personnel totally in charge of most everything, the treatment afforded to inmates was further reduced to fifty percent (by a stated policy) to faith-based interventions. Evidences of these faith-based initiatives could be found by observing crackpot evangelical ministers talking to confused native inmates about the deliriums of St Paul. Occasionally there would be Catholic Priests playing cards with sexual assault inmates. Weekly there were Elder conducted Sweat Lodge ceremonies. The conduct of the Guards towards visitors prompted me to describe their behavior as sociopathic. Their visitations officer was a violent paranoid. And to top everything else off, the front desk said they would have to send my name to some secret board who would decide if I was an acceptable visitor and if I could continue my visits. Sending anyone to this nightmarish place should be considered cruel and unusual. I was certainly surprised to find such a place within the confines of the Canadian border. |
The Correctional Service of Canada website’s “The Institution provides a positive and supportive environment…” vs Tim’s “nightmarish place”. (Who to believe… Who to believe…)
Can promise this. When I find the time, I’m aiming my car for Kitchener, Ontario —hopefully before this month is over. I’m going to park on the shoulder of Homer Watson Boulevard directly opposite the Grand Valley Institution for Women.
I’m going to set up a tripod and select self-timer on my camera. Then facing Ashley Smith’s “nightmarish place”, I will raise my arms skyward and stab both my middle fingers towards her tormentors.
And dedicate that photo to Ashley!
I’ve already got the Directions!
UPDATE: A promise kept. Please read our January 30, 2010 Blog, (Dedicated to Ashley Smith) TO ASHLEY. AS PROMISED. Here’s a preview.
My only regret is that I only had two arms and two middle fingers.
Signed,
The Mississauga Muse
MISSISSAUGAWATCH
Video: “PEEL REGIONAL POLICE YOUNG OFFENDERS JAIL CELL 11 DIVISION (MALE) 090912 (3:12 min)
(Click here to go directly to the clip on YouTube)
Post Linx
Permalink |
|
Print This Article
Comments
Leave a Reply
You do not have to leave your real name, email address, or website to comment. Thanks to despicable spammers, however, comments must be reviewed before publication.
If you prefer, you can send a private comment to the Mississauga Muse.