Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Court Gives Federal Government More Time To Fix Solitary Confinement

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Jun, 2019 09:21 PM

    VANCOUVER — British Columbia's top court has stayed its recent decision on Canada's solitary confinement law until the end of November to give the government more time to fix its prison practices.


    The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled unanimously on Monday that the law allowing prolonged, indefinite solitary confinement "offends the fundamental norms of a free and democratic society."


    The court struck down the law and also declared that Correctional Services Canada had breached its obligations to consider the health care needs of mentally ill or disabled inmates before placing them in segregation.


    Parliament replaced the law last Friday with new legislation that creates "structured intervention units," which allow segregated inmates a minimum of four hours outside their cells and at least two hours to interact with others per day.


    The federal government asked the Appeal Court for more time to implement the legislative changes and the court ruled Wednesday to stay its decision until Nov. 30 with progress reports expected on Aug. 30 and Oct. 15.


    The court says while Canada has taken "a long time" to amend the legislative scheme, it is satisfied that the current plans to implement it by Nov. 30 represent a diligent and realistic timetable.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Vice-Admiral Mark Norman To Retire From Canadian Forces

    OTTAWA — The Department of National Defence says Vice-Admiral Mark Norman is retiring from the Canadian Forces.

    Vice-Admiral Mark Norman To Retire From Canadian Forces

    Police Say Man In His 30s Is Dead In Fifth Homicide In Vancouver In 2019

    Police Say Man In His 30s Is Dead In Fifth Homicide In Vancouver In 2019
    Police say they were called Tuesday night to reports of a shooting in an apartment building near Main Street.

    Police Say Man In His 30s Is Dead In Fifth Homicide In Vancouver In 2019

    Mounties Put More Eyes In The Sky With Expanding Drone Fleet

    OTTAWA — Newly disclosed records show the RCMP has assembled a fleet of more than 200 flying drones — eyes in the sky that officers use for everything from accident-scene investigation to protecting VIP visitors.

    Mounties Put More Eyes In The Sky With Expanding Drone Fleet

    'Wasn't On The Radar:' Parents Accused In Son's Death Unaware He Had Meningitis

    LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — The father of a toddler who died of bacterial meningitis says he and his wife didn't realize their son had contracted the potentially deadly disease.

    'Wasn't On The Radar:' Parents Accused In Son's Death Unaware He Had Meningitis

    Second Banff Grizzly Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle: Parks Canada

    Second Banff Grizzly Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle: Parks Canada
    BANFF, Alta. — Motorists in Banff National Park are being urged to heed speed limits and report wildlife sightings after the second grizzly bear in three weeks died from a vehicle strike.

    Second Banff Grizzly Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle: Parks Canada

    Alberta Government, Opposition Swap Accusations, Attacks In Earplug Debate

    Alberta Government, Opposition Swap Accusations, Attacks In Earplug Debate
    Alberta's earplug debate got louder Monday as the Opposition NDP accused Premier Jason Kenney of lying and sought to have Government House Leader Jason Nixon found in contempt of the legislature.

    Alberta Government, Opposition Swap Accusations, Attacks In Earplug Debate