Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - April 12, 2020, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE A2 A 2 SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 ? WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COMNEWS I COVID-19 PANDEMIC The Free Press receives support from the Local Journalism Initiative funded by the Government of Canada WINNIPEG FREE PRESS SUNDAY 1355 Mountain Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6 PHOTO REPRINTS 204-697-7064 SWITCHBOARD 204-697-7000 ADVERTISING 204-697-7122 FP.Advertising@freepress.mb.ca EDITORIAL NEWSROOM 204-697-7301 HOW TO REACH US Winnipeg Free Press est 1872 / Winnipeg Tribune est 1890 VOL. 149 NO. 152 INSIDE Local news A3 Canada A4 World A5 Entertainment A8,A9 Miss Lonelyhearts A9 Sunday Special A10 Sports A12 Comics A14 Diversions A15 Horoscope A16 Television A16 2020 Winnipeg Free Press, a division of FP Canadian Newspapers Limited Partnership. Published seven days a week at 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2X 3B6, PH: 204-697-7000 A member of the Manitoba Press Council The people in these photos are of interest to police and may be able to provide investigators with information about the offences. These images are released for identification purposes only. The people pictured may or may not be responsible for the crimes indicated. If you are able to identify anyone pictured, call Winnipeg Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (204-786-8477), text TIP170 and your mes- sage to CRIMES (274637) or send a secure tip online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org. CLICK ? WINNIPEG CRIME STOPPERS E-EDITION ON EASTER MONDAY On Easter Monday, the Free Press will produce an online version of the paper available in lieu of home delivery and retail sales at winnipegfree- press.com. U NDER pressure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within insti-tutions, prisons and jails across Canada are facing calls to reduce over- crowding in spaces that weren't de- signed for physical distancing. In Manitoba, no cases of the virus within correctional institutions have been announced, and all programs and in-person visits have been suspended. It's still unclear how many, if any, in- mates could be released early as part of COVID-19 response plans, or what protocols are in place for the use of pro- tective gear inside provincial jails. The province previously committed to suspending intermittent sentences and said Manitoba already has power over release dates of inmates in its jails. A Manitoba Justice spokeswoman didn't address a specific question about whether inmates have been released early due to the virus, instead issuing a statement: "We are managing inmate release dates as corrections has author- ity to do... We will not be releasing any- one that presents a significant risk to public safety prior to the completion of their sentence." At Stony Mountain Institution, and all other federal prisons, those discus- sions are still underway with the Par- ole Board of Canada, said Sav Bains, regional director of health services for the Correctional Service of Canada. "We're trying to show compassion for those that are the most vulnerable med- ically, and that have serious underlying health conditions. Parallel to that, we want to make sure our communities are safe as well, so that dialogue and con- versation is taking place, and we'll get to a point when we can look at that, for sure," he said. Meanwhile, a Stony Mountain inmate says tensions are building as inmates cope with increased restrictions. Chris Hastings, who is serving a 10� - year sentence for trafficking carfentanil within the prison, said inmates aren't be- ing completely confined to cells and can still access the canteen, but they are con- cerned a full lockdown is coming. The indoor gym is shuttered and in- mates are not allowed to move between units. Hastings said social distancing is difficult, given all of the facilities are shared among inmates. Hastings said extra cleaners have been hired, and as of Thursday, guards were beginning to wear protective equipment. Inmates don't have masks or hand sanitizer, and Hastings said he doesn't think they've been given enough information about how to protect them- selves and others from the novel corona- virus, particularly for inmates with underlying health conditions. "I've asked for information. I appre- ciate that it's a new thing and they don't know much about it; a lot of guys are freaked out. A lot of guys are stressed and worried about their families, wor- ried about their own health," said Hast- ings, who is a member of an inmate wellness committee inside the prison north of Winnipeg. "A lot of the guys just want people to know that we're not trying to take advan- tage of this situation. We're concerned just as much as anybody else is - every- body's being affected by this. And it's a prison, it doesn't take much for it to blow up. I'm just worried that if these guys keep feeling the way they are, it could lead to bad stuff happening." As part of its pandemic response guidelines, the Manitoba Human Rights Commission recommended early re- lease for vulnerable prisoners, includ- ing pregnant women, elderly people, and those with compromised immune systems. The guidelines were released this week, aimed at government depart- ments, municipalities, health author- ities and policy-makers. The commission is also recom- mending the release of non-violent of- fenders and anyone who doesn't pose a public-safety risk, suggesting more sen- tences could be served in the commun- ity instead of in jail, and correctional officers could be redeployed as proba- tion officers working by telephone. "We're really concerned that over- crowding and large populations in our Manitoba prisons is going to impact the ability for incarcerated folks to equit- ably practise those health directives, like social distancing, and protect their health, but also the health of those who work in those facilities," said Karen Sharma, the commission's acting exec- utive director. Manitoba Justice said the number of prisoners inside its jails (1,902) is with- in capacity. "We have been successful in ensur- ing that we can physically distance and isolate inmates, as necessary, and have developed contingency plans in case someone in the system tests positive for COVID-19," a spokeswoman said in a statement. At both the provincial and federal levels, correctional facilities are taking steps to isolate new admissions. Bains said all federal prisoners being transferred to a different institution are expected to be isolated for 14 days upon arrival. He said a screening pro- cess is in place for prison staff arriving for work, and said they have protective gear to wear when physical distancing isn't possible. In Manitoba's provincial jails, it's unclear how personal protective equip- ment is being used or whether any test- ing for COVID-19 is being done. When asked for a copy of any policies or guidelines that have been implemented by Manitoba Justice for the use of pro- tective gear within its correctional facilities, a department spokeswoman said no operational documents could be provided, "in the interest of security." It's also unclear what level of test- ing or screening is being conducted for the virus among correctional workers or inmates inside provincial jails. The province has only said testing is not mandatory. NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine, Justice critic for the Opposition, said she has heard from correctional workers and their family members that personal protective equipment is not being worn, and that employees haven't received training on how to deal with someone who may have contracted the virus. The Opposition wants the Progressive Conservative government to provide that training and start fast-tracking inmates who may be eligible for early release, provided they don't have the virus and have a safe place to go. "Those, at the very beginning, are very, very immediate and simple steps that the government should be taking," Fontaine said. At the federal level, seven tests for the virus inside Stony Mountain came back negative and one result was still pending as of Friday, according to Cor- rectional Service of Canada data. Fed- eral inmates who show symptoms are being tested. katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay KATIE MAY Karen Sharma Christopher Hastings Prisons facing coronavirus concerns Calls for protective gear, early release of inmates to prevent spread of virus KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES At Stony Mountain Institution, seven tests for the virus have come back negative, with the result of another test still pending. Incident 996 WHEN: Dec. 10, 2019 WHERE: 300 block of St. Mary Avenue The woman pictured entered a liquor store located in the 300 block of St. Mary Avenue and was recognized as a chronic shoplifter. As she was being escorted out of the store, she grabbed a bottle of liquor and struck the employee before fleeing on foot. Incident 995 WHEN: Nov. 22, 2019 WHERE: 900 block of Corydon Avenue A male and female went to a store on Corydon Avenue and were seen shoplifting a large quantity of store product. Once outside, they were confronted by a security guard, threat- ening him with violence. Both fled on foot. A_02_Apr-12-20_FP_01.indd A2 2020-04-11 9:31 PM ;