At present, CSC has served the woman with a notice that, upon her return to the prison system, she will be involuntarily transferred to the Regional Psychiatric Centre (RPC) in Saskatoon. We are concerned that she will be housed in the segregated area of the segregated maximum security unit at RPC, despite the fact that she has been housed on an open ward, in a room with two other room- mates, and has been taken out into the community and to a hospital for medical tests on two occasions.

Not only has she not been involved in any incidents since her removal from Springhill, but she has resisted offers of drugs, opportunities to self injure or react to several actions taken against her by other' patients'. Moreover, no restraints of any kind were used during her trips into the community - despite the fact that CSC was putting her in full restraints (ie. hand cuffs, shackles and body belt) on the rare occasions that she was allowed out of her cell; namely, for showers (2-3 times per week) or recreation (one hour per day in the caged segregation yard).

We currently await the results of the assessment and anticipate that it will result in a recommendation that this particular woman not be returned to the segregated maximum security unit at Springhill Institution, that she not be segregated in the future and that if CSC is unable to provide her with adequate care, that she be returned to the psychiatric hospital in Halifax.

4. Research Support

a) Young Women Who Use Violence

Given the reintroduction of the Youth Criminal Justice Act by the Minister of Justice, we anticipate that the research will take on even greater importance for those within the government, as well as those in the community who are providing services and programs with and for young women and girls.

b) AIDS Study

As a result of funding provided to PASAN to research the needs of women in prison who are diagnosed with Hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS, The Executive Director had been asked to participate in an advisory committee for the project. PASAN will be examining the health and harm reduction practices in federal and provincial jails and the experiences of women in prison across the country.

5. Judicial and Public Education

a) Media - The Big Picture: Inside Canada's Prisons