Prisoner Mental Health Class Action Launched Against Canada

TORONTO, July 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Koskie Minsky LLP has commenced a class action against the Attorney General of Canada alleging systemic over-reliance on solitary confinement and failure to provide adequate health care to mentally ill prisoners incarcerated in the Federal penitentiary system.

The Statement of Claim issued on July 17 alleges, among other things, that Canada has been negligent and has breached fiduciary duties it owes to mentally ill prisoners by subjecting them to extended periods of solitary confinement, failing to medicate or treat their mental disorders and by failing to provide adequate training to Correctional Services Canada staff.

The class includes all prisoners who were diagnosed with a mental illness between 1992 and the present. Class Counsel believe that thousands of individuals will be included in this class proceeding.

Christopher Brazeau, a prisoner in the Edmonton Institution, is the proposed representative plaintiff seeking to pursue the action on behalf of the class members.

Kirk Baert, a partner with Koskie Minsky LLP, stated "For too long, Canada has breached its statutory obligations to provide reasonable mental health care to prisoners. Canada has repeatedly ignored critical reports and recommendations from within its own government and from international organizations."

James Sayce of Koskie Minsky LLP has stated "Mentally ill prisoners are regularly subjected to cruel and unusual punishments. The average Canadian would be shocked that such injustices can take place in this country in 2015".

Koskie Minsky LLP represents the plaintiff in this action.

SOURCE Koskie Minsky LLP

For further information: Toll-free hotline: [phone], Email: [email protected], Website: www.kmlaw.ca/prisonermentalhealth; All media inquiries should be directed to James Sayce at Koskie Minsky LLP at 416-542-6298.