For Amnesty International

  By Research team member

Dear Amnesty,

Hello and Greetings from the Alouette Correctional Center for Women, as you already, know my name is (anonymous). I am the Inmate Committee Coordinator.

I would like to tell you a little about our prison, and how I became interested in your organization, and what I am hoping to achieve by involving Amnesty International into our community.

This prison is like no other in the province, country, and my personal belief is that there is no other like it in the world. It is not perfect and although we do have common ground with most prisons, that our freedom is restricted, that we have been sent here by a judicial system that many believe to be patriotically ruled and outdated (many believe also to be downright unfair), it is not uncommon for us women to be talking amongst ourselves and realize that this is the most free we have ever been, and that we have been put on a healing journey.

Women here are sent from all over the province, most are still awaiting trail in their home communities, others are sentenced to prison terms of two years less one day or less. The average stay here is sixty days. We have choices, as to the level of help that we receive. We are all expected to be involved in Work Programs, to which there are many options. It is mandatory that we work, as this is a work camp. When women are first admitted they are given a brief orientation of the grounds, expectations of wake-up times, mealtimes and bedtimes. They are directed to Healthcare Services if needed, and issued a standard clothing issue. Out of bound areas, staff operations and programs areas are also designated. A copy of the Correctional Center Rules and regulations are also provided.

The average new inmate will be surprised at the outdoor, lax setting here. It will be up to them to acquaint themselves with the library, Narcotics Anonymous, gym activities, chapel and Native Elder services. It is also up to them to self direct themselves to Drug and Alcohol Services and Psychological Services.

The first Work Placement that we are expected to attend is the Horticulture Program. Women are encouraged to get used to the fresh air, perhaps in some strange way to get "grounded", without our realizing the benefits of the outdoors on our psyches. They hone in on gardening skills, landscaping, and other outdoor job skills. After they are able to get somewhat settled in the routine, staff and even other more experienced inmates are able to find more suitable job placements for them. Some or more content staying on their units as maintenance personnel, some become laundry workers, kitchen staff, and some decide to attend school, to upgrade to the GED or even grade 12 equivalent. The more advanced jobs are Arts and Crafts, job placement coordinator, roll-up gate supervisor and myself. There is a research team run by our doctor, Dr. Ruth Martin, who is part of the UBC faculty of family medicine. This is groundbreaking work and the team facilitates monthly forums (would you be interested in coming sometime?).

We also have girls working in Cythera, who go through donations, clean, iron, hang and mend the clothes, if needed. A few of the girls are on what we call Temporary Absences passes, to actually go the thrift store (Cythera), and work in the store, during the week. Other TAs are to go to the SPCA and walk and care for the animals there. We also have a doggy dare care program, for the staff, to bring their own dogs to be watched while they work their shifts!!! Believe it or not, some of the dogs do not want to go home with their owners; they literally have to bribe their dogs out of the gates with treats. Oh ya, we have girls working in the mill next door on one side and working in the fisheries on the other side. There goes the neighborhood!!!!

Women are offered Drug and alcohol, Emotions management, and relationship skills programs. We have W2 (a Christian based "friend program"), and a Hip-hop volunteer. We offer beading classes, cooking classes, rest and relaxation and yoga. There are the odd movie nights, BBQs, and Sports Days. We know how to throw quite the Halloween and Christmas Bashes!!!

We are anxiously awaiting a Valetine's Day dinner.

We have a mother and baby program, in association with The Ministry of Children and Families. Pregnant mothers are able to keep their newborns up to the age of two. We currently have two babies that have been born into ACCWs care. I think that we have had approximately 10 babies here so far.

We strongly support the Native Sisterhood, through drumming, pipe ceremony, sweats and weekly healing circles. Our Native Elder is phenomenal. She shows dedication and helps to teach respect. She tells us that there are always people who will love us until we can love ourselves.

My role as inmate coordinator is be on top of any inmate concerns and to be the voice of our community to the line staff, management, Citizens Advisory Board, and to the Wardens. I write up proposals for changes, actively advocate for needed materials to support women on their healing journey, offer peer-support and organize fundraising activities (we donate raised money to the community and sponsor families at Christmas). Our committee is self supporting through fundraising and Bead Sales, an inmate run sale of paper products and beading materials. We pay for our own cable, and newspapers.

Given all the opportunities for healing, growth, and change, morale of the women can still be quite low. We do not live in a fantasy world, all of this that I have mentioned above takes hard work, real hard work and I am looking for ways to get women involved not only with our "little society", but also with the larger, global society. Seeing a program about Amnesty International had me wondering about what we could do, how we could help. After inquiring about whether or not I would be allowed to perhaps bring a peace of Amnesty into the prison and given the go ahead, I started to inquire through Joint Effort, hence receiving your letter. Thank you for your response.

We are interested of option number two, where we would have one paying member, Alison Granger-Brown who is our recreation therapist. Would it be okay that the other four members may change from time to time? We would also like to incorporate programs about the pleas of others, on a regular, educational basis. As inmates we are allowed 7 free letters to be sent out per week, and are able to hold writing circles. The powers that be are very excited that we would like to take on this venture. Personally I feel that if letters could come from inside our prison walls to the powers that be at other prisons, demanding the respect, dignity and fair treatment of others, that would be powerful. We have fought for our rights, and continue to do so everyday in a respectful way. I also feel that it would be therapeutic for the women, to feel that they are in some way "giving back".

Last week another community organization, Joint Effort, came in with materials to help to build a banner for the Memorial March, for missing and murdered women. The response was great and time that was spent exchanging stories, offering support, and just learning what it was like to be women, touched many of us. We love to be able to be part of these types of events, I including Prisoners Justice Day, World Aids Day, and National Violence Against Women Day. It is helpful for us, to get out of our problems, and daily complaints and issues to remember those that truly suffer .We enjoy it.

I am hoping that I have somehow given you some knowledge into ACCW, and how we really are advanced through hard work and dedication on part of both staff and ourselves. It truly is through working together that we are able to initiate growth, and then change. I look forward to hearing from you and Amnesty soon.

Sincerely,

Research team member,