Regina Provincial Correctional Center, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
March 2, 2016 – (end date unknown)
Sixteen prisoners in the prison’s high security unit 2D1 launched a hunger strike in protest of extended periods of lockdown.
One of the prisoners, Forrest Pelletier, spoke to the CBC, explaining that as pre-trial detainees, the prisoners deserve less restrictive conditions of confinement. “We’re tired of being locked up 21 hours a day. You know it’s like we’re in a super-max correctional facility, and it’s like we’re guilty until proven innocent. You know a lot of us never had our day in court.”
The hunger strike occurred a year after a previous series of hunger strikes in which Pelletier and other prisoners demanded religious freedoms for indigenous prisoners and an improvement in quality of food.
Citations:
“Hunger strike again at Regina Correctional Centre“, CBC, March 3, 2016.
Background:
“Cultural needs part of Regina jail protest, defence lawyer says“, CBC, March 3, 2015.
“2nd inmate hunger strike this month ends at Regina jail“, CBC, March 26, 2015.
“Former Regina jail inmates decry 21-hour lockup“, CBC, June 23, 2015.
“Group of Regina Correctional Centre inmates refusing food over quality concerns“, CBC, December 20, 2015.
