Sovereign Indigenous Nations Federation (FSIN) is raising a red flag over the treatment of an indigenous person in Saskatchewan Jail,
Vice-Chief Edward Learat and Jason Stonechild, executive director of justice, brought forward Darla Forstar, mother of Kihiv Forstar, who says her son was assaulted by correctional officers.
Saskatchewan prison inmate dies in custody
read more
Darla said that her son told her that he was assaulted in his cell and needed medication and treatment.
Darla said, “Sometimes I was too scared to talk to my boy.”
She said she was moved to the Stony Mountain Correctional Center and is doing much better, but she wanted to make sure the same thing didn’t happen to others in the system.
“November 7 was the day Kihiv was beaten by security personnel while he was in handcuffs.”
Darla says that Kihiv said that there were incidents that lasted several days, with guards breaking into his cell.
She said Kihiv told her she was being denied medication for her mental health issues.
Darla said, “He grew up on bubble packs full of medicine, so when he doesn’t have medicine he throws a tantrum.”
“It’s hard for a mother to hear all this.”
Leurat says that the FSIN believes there was a serious attack.
“Our investigation determined that the allegations were factual,” Lerat said.
He said Saskatchewan prison leadership became aware of the incident before the FSIN became involved and launched its own investigation through the RCMP, as well as placing four guards on administrative leave.
“This incident, however, reflects the additional concerns we have about the humane treatment of our people who are in the care of correctional institutions, both provincial and federal.”
FSIN calls for more mental health funding after new report shows higher suicide rates in Indigenous communities
Lerat said he has received complaints from inmates who have suffered mental and physical abuse, and have been denied treatment for mental and health problems.
He added that FSIN will be following the investigation and will provide an update as information becomes available.
“The over-inhibition of First Nations people speaks to the systemic racism inflicted on our people by colonialism and residential schools. In a situation where the family is already traumatized by a son being in prison, it is appalling for a mother to live with the constant worry and fear that her son could die at the hands of federally employed guards,” said FSIN chief Bobby Cameron. Told.
“FSIN knows that there have been many other serious attacks on our First Nations prisoners and we encourage them to speak out. The FSIN calls on the RCMP to conduct a professional and thorough investigation on Correctional Services Canada so that it can act accordingly and deal with this unjustified misconduct.”
Global News reached out to Correctional Services Canada for response and obtained a statement.
“The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is aware of an incident at a Saskatchewan prison and is investigating it,” the statement said.
“As soon as management was made aware, the Saskatchewan Penitentiary contacted the local RCMP detachment and both agencies immediately began their separate investigations. Those involved in the incident have been placed on leave pending a disciplinary investigation.
“Any mistreatment towards an offender is a violation of CSC’s mission, which is to provide a conducive, safe and humane environment for rehabilitation of all offenders in the care of CSCs.
“CSC employees are expected to act in accordance with legal and ethical standards, and are subject to the rules of professional conduct and discipline set forth in the Commissioner’s Directive 060 – Code of Discipline.”
“CSC does not tolerate any violations of its policies and all allegations, regardless of source, are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken.”
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.