Young offender gets rough ride

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Initial reports, based on interviews with the approximately 30 Aboriginal protesters who appeared outside Kilburn Hall, a 48-bed secure facility for young offenders, suggest that a 17-year-old Aboriginal detainee was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment that was reminiscent of scenes in the shockingly violent movie A Clockwork Orange.

The reports said a young man, who can't be named because of the provisions of the Young Offenders Act, was restrained with shackles and placed in seclusion while classical music was played at high volume because he allegedly grabbed a staff member by the genitals and held on for close to a minute.

Peter Bishop, of the Urban First Nations Healing Initiative, spoke to reporters during the protest. He said places like Kilburn Hall shouldn't exist for young people. Repeated calls to Bishop's office for further comment went unanswered.

But Andy Fields, the director of Kilburn Hall, said the reports were overblown. He said his staff was forced to use the measures they used because a resident of the facility was out of control and upsetting the other residents.

"The kids were at school and they were taking phys. ed.," Fields told Sage. "They were told by the teacher to do five laps of the gym. This student did three laps. When the teacher told him to do two more, he became defiant and did 10 laps."

Each evening, Field said, the residents meet to discuss the day. During that evening's meeting, the residents told the youth he should follow the rules. He refused to make that commitment to his peers, Fields said, and he was told to leave the group. He later began kicking the door to his room. As the evening progressed, things got worse.

"At around 9 p.m. he began to kick the doors very, very powerfully," Fields said. "Staff members and kids phoned the supervisor to complain. Loud classical music was played, but not as cruel and unusual punishment. It was to drown out the noise."

When that tactic had no effect the staff moved in to restrain the youth. That was when the alleged attack occurred. Staff called the police and charged him with assaulting a peace officer. He agreed to be remanded to an adult facility.

Fields says this incident is unfortunate but he has faith his staff acted properly. He said he has been working with the Saskatoon Tribal Council for the last six months to arrange for an Elder to be on call at the facility. The final agreement is expected to be signed soon, he said.

The Children's Advocate is investigating the incident.