BackTwo weeks after the publication of our report on detention conditions, the administration of justice and crime prevention in Nunavik, the government has pledged to act quickly.
Alarming findings
The special report by the Québec Ombudsman released last February further to an investigation in three Nunavik villages concluded in particular that:
- detention conditions in police stations and cells are unacceptable
- the administration of justice is riddled with problems (including longs delays and numerous transfers)
- crime prevention is insufficient
- detention conditions in correctional facilities in Southern Québec are not adapted to Inuit reality
Government commitments
A few days after the Québec Ombudsman’s report was tabled, the Departments concerned announced the introduction of immediate improvements.
These include: better physical facilities; translation into Inuktitut of information useful to detainees; and enhanced use of videoconferencing in order to reduce repeated transfers.
As for the long term, the authorities committed to producing a comprehensive action plan in response to the Québec Ombudsman’s recommendations. Furthermore, in its 2016-2017 Budget, the government announced increased funding so that the Itinerant Court can be in session in Nunavik more often.
Telling statistics
Inuit account for 0.1 % of the population of Québec, but they make up nearly 5% of the prison population in provincial correctional facilities.
Inuit are over-represented in the justice and correctional systems and this phenomenon is dramatically on the rise (239% increase over ten years in the number of cases handled by the Itinerant Court).
Source: Le Protecteur du Citoyen - Québec - Press Release
