Nippi-Albright: Focus needs to be on building community solutions, need to tackle the root causes

Stats Canada data shows that Saskatchewan’s Indigenous incarceration rates double the national average

REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright and Opposition Justice and Corrections Critic Nicole Sarauer were joined by Indigenous Women Leaders from across Saskatchewan, as well as the Elizabeth Fry Society, to jointly call on the government to take immediate action to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous women in provincial correctional centres.

“This is a government that has shown time and time again that it is failing Indigenous women in this province. This is a top-down failure by this Sask. Party government to properly address the very issues that lead to crime: like poverty, inadequate housing, mental health and addictions,” said Nippi-Albright. “How are we supposed to fix this if we aren’t willing to address the root causes? We need to actually build solutions to housing, in access to mental health supports and ensure that those needed services are in place, especially for those reintegrating into the community. Otherwise, we’re going to continue to see these failures.”

Saskatchewan has the highest rates of Indigenous incarceration among the provinces, more than double the national average. Over-representation of Indigenous women incarcerated was highest in Saskatchewan among all provinces at 28.5 times higher than the non-Indigenous population, followed by Alberta at 15.5. That means that the overrepresentation of Indigenous women in Saskatchewan prisons is 84% higher than Alberta, the province with the second highest rates. Despite repeated reports highlighting this government’s failures, little has been done to address them.

“The Sask. Party’s out of sight, out of mind strategy is failing. It’s just not working,” said Sarauer. “The supports need to be there. We need a strategy that works with community-based organizations to tackle those barriers — specifically around housing — and get those wrap-around services in place that gets people back on their feet.”

Pine Grove Correctional Centre in Prince Albert is consistently over capacity. Its official capacity is 166, but in July 2023 it was housing 263 women — 156 of those were on remand.

-30-

Latest posts

SCOTT MOE’S FAILURE TO ADDRESS ADDICTION & HOMELESSNESS CRISIS LEAVES LLOYDMINISTER RATEPAYERS FOOTING THE BILL

City Says ‘Social Disorder’ Has Cost Lloydminster $3 Million To Date

LLOYDMINSTER – Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck says Scott Moe’s failure to address the province’s addictions, homelessness and mental health crisis is forcing communities like Lloydminster to shoulder costs that are the responsibility of the provincial government.

BECK SAYS BETTER ECONOMIC STRATEGY NEEDED AS INDICATORS SHOW LAGGING JOBS, INVESTMENT AND MORE UNDER MOE

Saskatchewan Lost 6,100 Jobs While Nationally 88,000 Jobs Were Created

REGINA — Carla Beck says a growing list of economic indicators show Saskatchewan's economy is losing momentum and highlights the urgent need for a new economic development strategy focused on diversification, investment, innovation, and affordability.

REGINA POLICE REPORT NEARLY 14 OVERDOSES A DAY IN REGINA

Frontline Services Continue To Face Rising Overdoses In Saskatchewan’s Largest Cities

REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is raising alarm bells following newly released data from Regina Police Service (RPS), which shows there were 415 overdoses in Regina in April. This represents a sharp increase from the 242 overdoses that were reported in March.

FRONTLINE WORKERS SAY FREQUENTLY BROKEN ELEVATORS JEOPARDIZING PATIENT CARE AT ROYAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Revelations About Major Patient Care Concern Come Days After Photos Of Mould Growing In Hospital ICU Surfaced

SASKATOON — Leaked notices and testimony from frontline workers provided to Carla Beck’s team indicates elevators at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon are frequently broken or stall when in use, forcing medical professionals to perform lifesaving procedures under dangerous conditions.

NDP Caucus Office