Letter for Politicians Expressing Opposition to the Federal Decision to Close Prison Farms in Canada
Link to Revitalizing Canada's Prison Farms information page
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Please write to one or more of the politicians listed below the suggested text, to express your objections to the decision by CSC to end the prison farms program. Give your letter more impact by including your name and address and by asking for a reply to your concerns. You do not need postage on a letter sent to a Member of Parliament.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE TEXT OF YOUR LETTER:
date:
to:
I am writing to express my support for the Revitaliation of Canada's Prison Farms and my objections to the decision by Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) to end these vital programs.
I know that public safety is the key objective of CSC and that programs for inmates aim to give them the skills, knowledge and attitudes to successfully re-integrate into society. Further, I understand that CSC has decided the prison farms program does not give inmates employability skills, and so, the program is being cancelled.
I agree with the first two points, but disagree completely with the third. I think the decision to close the farms is wrong ; in fact, the program should be expanded. I urge the federal government to review the decision to close the program, given the following points:
1. The prison agriculture program allows inmates to contribute to their community, in growing and processing food for fellow inmates in the region. Involvement in meaningful work increases self-esteem and enhances rehabilitation.
2. Inmates learn to take responsibility, be punctual, work in a team and develop a work ethic. They learn mechanical skills and equipment operation in producing and processing vegetables, dairy, beef and poultry products. The abattoir at Pittsburgh Institution, staffed by inmates, contributes much-appreciated infrastructure to the local food system.
3. Food now provided by the farm program would need to be purchased if the program ends. The cost to taxpayers and the nutritional quality of replacement food must be taken into account in assessing the value of the farm program.
4. Ending the program on the basis of public safety implies that inmates who participate in the farm program have a higher rate of reoffending than other inmates. Does research support that conclusion? If not, the program should not be axed for public safety reasons.
5. As affordable sources of light sweet crude oil run out, it will become more difficult to provide food for Canadians, including inmates. When that time arrives, it will be too late to start building a more sustainable local food system for the prison population. I wonder how public safety will be affected if inmates cannot be properly fed.
If the agriculture program ends, I am very concerned about the future of the farmland at the prisons -- some of the best in the regions where the farms are located. Canadians need to be concerned about food security and food sovereignty, with farmland permanently removed from food production annually. The federal government should be taking leadership in saving farmland, not selling off irreplaceable assets for short-term objectives.
At a time when the local food movement is increasing the demand and supply of locally-grown food, it makes no sense for CSC to quit growing food for the prison population.
In fact, CSC could enhance self-sufficiency by increasing the vegetable gardens and greenhouse capacity of the program, and by offering culinary training for interested inmates. Fresh, locally-grown food would benefit the nutrition, and so, the physical, social and mental well-being of the inmates. I believe there are many improvements to the agriculture program that would help inmates' chances of a positive return to Canadian society, and assist the objective of enhanced public safety.
I look forward to hearing from you in response to my concerns.
Sincerely,
address:
Please write to one or more of the politicians (click here for a complete list of MPs and their contact information) listed below, to express your objections to the decision by CSC to end the prison farms program. Give your letter more impact by including your name and address and by asking for a reply to your concerns. You do not need postage on a letter sent to a Member of Parliament.
Hon. Peter Van Loan,
Minister of Public Safety,
House of Commons, Parliament Buildings,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Hon. Gerry Ritz,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food,
House of Commons, Parliament Buildings,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Hon. Stephen Harper,
Prime Minister,
House of Commons, Parliament Buildings,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
A complete list of MPs and their contact information is available on line.
National NFU Website
