AFN conducting own inquiry into Native justice

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Ottawa

A Native justice spokesman for the Assembly of First Nations is conducting a Canada-wide study of the federal prison system in response to a report he claims ignores Native

concerns.

Paul Doxtator began his cross-Canada tour of federal penitentiaries on behalf of the AFN last month to speak to members of Native brotherhoods within the prison system.

He is gathering information to include in a comprehensive study about the treatment of Native inmates in Federal penitentiaries.

His investigation is in response to a 1988 federal steering committee report he says denies Native input.

The Task Force on Aboriginal peoples in Federal Corrections report includes 61 recommendation that would help Native inmates re-integrate into society.

"But these recommendations are a shame," Doxtator insists.

He claims Native prison groups were not given the opportunity to include their own recommendations or give approval to the federal translation.

"My concern is that the brothers and sisters in the Native brotherhoods across the country, have not been consulted," he said.

"There is not one recommendation that would suggest active input from any of them. If you look closely at them (recommendation) there's next to nothing from Native

prisoners."

Doxtator, a former federal inmate now on parole, worked with organizations in the Millhaven, Collins Bay and the Joyceville Penitentiaries in Ontario.

He says studies, similar to the federal probe, are useless unless Native input is included.

"They are just refusing to recognize Native inmates. How can you come up with decisions that affect their lives without even talking to them?"

The task force committee was spearheaded by the federal Solicitor General's office and Correction Services of Canada.

The task force recommendations call for hiring staff experienced in dealing with Natives and non-Native inmates and capable of recognizing Native culture and customs.

Other recommendation also include allowing elders to speak on behalf of native inmates during parole board hearings.

Regardless of the federal study results, Doxtator argues for the necessity of including complete aboriginal response to conditions and treatment within the federal prison

system.

Doxtator is currently in eastern Canada conducting his probe, but has not yet unveiled his Alberta prison agenda.