Prisoner’s rights group forms in Iqaluit this week

MICHAELA RODRIGUE
Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — Jay Wisintainer’s six-month stint in jail not only brought him notoriety, it started him on a crusade to ensure that Nunavut’s prisoners and ex-convicts are treated fairly.

The Iqaluit resident, who last year had a slew of drug-related charges against him thrown out of court, has started a new branch of the John Howard Society, a well-known prisoners’ rights advocacy group.

“I realized there was a lot of things wrong with the system,” Wisintainer said.

“The pendulum of justice has gone too far on the police side and corrections side. We need someone to balance that out and bring justice up to par and to ensure safe and humane treatment of prisoners.”

Three months ago, Wisintainer asked his friends to help him start up a new John Howard Society for Nunavut.

He hopes the group will help push the pendulum back.

John Howard Society branches across Canada lobby on behalf of prisoners, act as a support service to convicts after they leave jail, and deliver education programs within communities.

Inmates and ex-cons in the eastern Arctic have been served by the John Howard Society in Yellowknife. But Wisintainer believes few Nunavut inmates are even aware of or make use of the Yellowknife branch.

But now, with a local branch, prisoners have already begun calling regularly, Wisintainer said. The society also tried to help a recently released convict adjust to the world outside and remain sober by attending AA meetings.

Wisintainer enlisted the help of Iqaluit lawyer Euan Mackay, and close friends Danny Savard, Leetia Nowdluk, Mary Nashook and Don Lalande. Local residents Bill Riddell and Lee Smith are also involved.

This week, the Nunavut John Howard Society will go public when it holds its first open meetings Sept. 2-3.

The two-day meeting at the Sailivik Community Centre will introduce Iqaluit residents and government bodies to the society and canvass new members. The society plans to decide what programs it wants to offer.

Wisintainer already has plans for a wood-working shop and studio where prisoners could learn a skill and earn some pocket money.

“It would provide something to get their minds off of their troubles and to reintroduce them into society,” he says.

Wisintainer’s window cleaning business donated a building, and the society is now writing formal proposals to Qikiqtaaluk Corp. and other business for donations. A formal budget still hasn’t been drawn up, but Wisintainer expects it will take about $250,000 to fund a training centre and head office.

Other possible projects include a “fines-options program” to allow convicts to perform jobs around the community in lieu of paying fines, a carving studio or computer courses.

Once it raises the necessary cash, Wisintainer says the society will hire a full-time staff member.

The John Howard Society has existed in Canada since 1931. To date there are 57 branches across the country. The society advocates early release of prisoners and reforms to the justice system.

After experiencing Canada’s justice system first hand, Wisintainer says changes are needed.

He says prisoners need programs to learn skills while they are in jail. “As opposed to having an ugly experience where they end of up hating the system,” he said.

That’s what Wisintainer says happened to him.

While he was in custody awaiting trial for drug trafficking and conspiracy charges, Wisintainer says he was assaulted by BCC’s warden.

He filed court documents alleging that former warden John McKnight brutalized him, and was then sent to the Yellowknife Correctional Centre to continue his wait. Wistintainer fought to be sent back to BCC.

The drug charges against Wisintainer were thrown out before trial when it was revealed that RCMP searched a file folder containing defence strategies covered under attorney-client privilege.

A year later, Wisintainer has told BCC’s new warden, Doug Strader, about the society and says he hopes to work with him.

“We’re going to suggest what we feel is necessary in terms of programming.”

Officials with BCC and the Nunavut Justice Department are now waiting to see what the new society looks like and what proposals they come up with.

“Anything that helps inmates with release is certainly welcome,” said Ron McCormick, director of corrections and community justice.

He said many jails and prisons throughout Canada work with the John Howard Society because it has proven its ability to do good work.

While Wisintainer wants to work with BCC officials, he said the very presence of a John Howard Society may encourage members of the justice and corrections systems to follow the rules.

“I’m known as the one that kicked their asses in court. Taking this position, maybe they’ll think twice.”