|
|
||
|
A Controversial fifth estate Video
After a two-year battle with Corrections Canada, the fifth estate won the exclusive right to broadcast video documenting Ashley Smith's last days in federal prison. The chilling video featured in "Behind the Wall" shows her strangling herself to death as prison guards watch at her cell door. On May 16, Corrections Canada filed for an unprecedented publication ban on all exhibits presented at the coroner's inquest into her death. The restriction would prevent media from having full access to the controversial video featured in the fifth estate's documentary on Ashley Smith. Watch Full Documentary Original Broadcast Date: Friday, November 12, 2010 Download Flash Player to view this content. Behind the Wall
With guards watching and a video camera rolling, Ashley Smith slowly choked herself to death in a federal prison on Oct. 19, 2007. How could this tragic turn of events have happened? And what does it tell us about the way mentally ill inmates are treated in a prison system that was once the envy of the world? With the inquest into Ashley Smith’s death set to begin, the fifth estate has obtained critical videotape footage that shows Smith’s time in prison and brings unique insight into the full extent of this tragedy. |
  Hana Gartner, one of Canada's top journalists, has enjoyed a distinguished career at CBC Television for over 27 years. During that time, her straightforward style… Read more Connect with the fifth estate
 Linden MacIntyre takes a closer look at the case of Ludmila Ilina and the Osgoode Hall team tackling her case in an engrossing examination of how evidence can be used to both convict and acquit.
 In a particularly personal broadcast, the fifth estate's Bob McKeown traces the career of, and his friendship with, the always fascinating, charismatic, and confounding Stephen Reid.
 The Summit from the street: exclusive eyewitness video exposes a G20 you've never seen before.
 It's a moment few Canadians will ever forget: the death of a 21-year-old Georgian luger during a Winter Olympics training run. It was ruled driver error. Now, we have shocking new revelations some don't want you to hear.
 Bob McKeown's investigation into Nadia Kajouji's tragic death led the fifth estate on an international hunt for an Internet predator. McKeown now returns to Nadia's story as a "Cyberpath" is about to face justice in a precedent-setting case.
 Were they murdered? Abducted? Or are they living new lives? Reporters Linden MacIntyre, Hana Gartner and Gillian Findlay track the trails of three Canadians who disappeared without a trace.
 Will one young man's courageous decision to come out affect a sport that is so secretive about sexuality.
 More than a decade after the murder of Fatima Kama, a suspect is finally arrested. But is the case really closed?
 Hana Gartner takes a closer look at the death of Ashley Smith, and
reveals exclusive video footage Corrections Canada didn't want Canadians
to see.
 Who really killed Abdinasir Dirie? One Somali family's story of tragedy and broken hopes.
 He had it all and lost it. Now there is a whole new chapter in the life story of
Theo Fleury.
 Inside the interrogation of Russell Williams. On a commercial-free special edition, Bob McKeown decodes one of the most shocking confessions ever seen by Canadians, with the help of those who know the art of interrogation best.
 Why did the Canadian government, in the era of the Cold War, approve a plan to round up thousands of law-abiding citizens and lock them away because they were perceived to be a threat to democracy? Linden MacIntyre investigates the secret plan.
 Why did Mark Harshbarger end up dead on a family hunting trip to Newfoundland?
 Linden MacIntyre's personal essay on how the cycle of sexual abuse that plagued small communities in Nova Scotia years ago continues to haunt them today -- in new and unexpected ways.
 The shocking case of Colonel Russell Williams. This unbelievable story
has captured the country's attention, leaving people to wonder: What
really happened? Who is the man behind the headlines?
 |
90
People go to prison and loose there right to come and go but they do not go to prison to be tortured and abused. Being transfered 17 times in 11 months and put in isolation 24 hours a dayeach time was a crime. When you abuse and elephant over time that animal will fight back we are no different. A 30 day sentence lasting 4 years is the evil that exists in the prison and psyciatic institutionsin Canada, rest in peace ashley
I've spent my time mulling over my mind how you all have treated this inmate-suicide issue and for that matter how our society does so as well. It's about time you all freed yourselves from yourselves so that you can be more helpfull to people in need rather that aiding and abbetting their self-abusive, life disturbing and self anialating state. What Ashley Smith and anyone like her needs is someone who can lead her to her real enemy.....HERSELF! It was so obvious to me, and having worked with inmates as a teacher for a good portion of my teaching life, that really what troubled souls want is a way out....freedom from the prison that they have made for themselves. Unfortunatelly, psychology and psychiatry are still missleading humanity and result in confused states like this one. There is only one enemy here in this situation, and that is Ashley herself. Not enough of us can see that she, and only she, was the boss of her own feelings and thoughts.....and that she fought very hard to make life responsible.....the blame game. The poor guards who have to take the rath of someone who fights to act out in life the hurt and pain she causes herself. The guards were the victms, not only of a self-troubling individual, but also of a society which appears to me to be misguiding itself from the reality of our humaness. It's the same society which has changed itself from "sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you", to "sticks and stones will break your bones and names will always hurt you"....If we want to forward the idea of independence and freedom, then the only one that hurts us emotionally is ourselves. We are the bosses of our feelings and thought and only we can free ourselves from ourselves. Names DON'T hurt you, you hurt yourself with names!!!What Ashley was doing was not only hurting herself emotionally but also trying to attack life itself after making it responsible for her self-made pain. We, as a society, are unfortunately distancing ourselves from reasoning and understanding when it comes to who is really responsible when someone shows up on life's stage hurting! I am a retired teacher now and am seeing that the Vision which helped me to free students so that they could learn, is the same Vision that would be helpful in freeing society from the confusion and turmoil that it brings onto itself and seems at a loss to deal with reasonably.
Lynn, Hana tried to go inside the treatment centre with the MP, but was denied. If you challenge us to go inside for ourselves, which prison will allow us to do that? How do we go about getting to walk through these prisons? This is an impossible challenge. The truth would be exposed in a second.The media needs to continue pressing on with this and other stories to expose the evil truth.
I am sure that CSC has some good staff, the key word being some. How long do the good ones last in the system? Can they withstand the pressure to withstand the need to comply with the rest of them or do they quit? Thanks to Fifth Estate for exposing the truth and may they continue to expose the truth.
Going through the whole "justice" procedure with someone close to me, with them ending up in prison has been a learning experience I never wanted. If you've never gone through this, you can naievly believe that the justice system is fair, laws and rules are followed, and those "criminals" deserve what they get. Unfortunately this seems to be the view of most people. With the experience I have had, absolutely NOTHING that happens in prisons surprises me, but it's deeply affected me because I realize that not enough people care to change anything, so unfortunately we literally have to accept that tragedies will keep on happening and that's such a depressing and sad fact to accept!
This "dramatization", as CBC labelled most of it's video, is disgusting. I am a guard, and I am proud to be one, and if CBC wants to create a "dramatization" to unfold a story they create than so be it, but one would hope that persons captivated by the story could tell the different between edited live footage and "dramatization." The majority of this video has been composed of statements made by disgruntled nursing staff. The nurses at my institution laugh at the picture that has been painted of guards and have told us since this video aired how we have their support. Guards in this video are made-out to be fictitious goons by the nursing staff in the prairie region, and what is the true disgrace through loss of life, has been over shadowed by CBCs/societies innate need to find blame and point fingers, and make a good story. People who are ill should be treated in facilities with around the clock care; staff trained and specialized in dealing with mental illness. That is the bottom line.
This story makes me ashamed to be Canadian.
There is always to sides to every storey....It is unreal how the fifth estae can run a one sided story....What if the story was based on the guards that Ashley had attacked in her stay with corrections...What about the young man that she had tried to choke 2 weeks before her own suicide...she was not a poor little girl who threw a crabapple...she was a girl that new better...She had given nothing but heartache since she entered into the prison system she caused more trouble then needed if she was just a poor little girl that threw a crabapple...Those guards did there job and went with what they were told to do....I come from a city that has multiple prisions and my hat goes off to all the guards across canada...Kepp your head up and don't worry about these people that are putting there two cents in and they don't even know the whole truth....Sham to Fifth Estate for putting on a show that was so one sided....How about you do a part 2 and tell the whole truth....Thank-you to all the guards from the Kingston Area for keeping us safe...
Ken perfectly said. Thats all i can say.
It is sad and unfortunate that this young woman died. But the truth of it is that she brought it on herself. She chose to pelt that man with apples, chose to behave aggressively with staff, and chose to choke herself. If you continue to make poor choices and refuse treatment, the only one to blame is yourself.
Thank you for this post..Finally someone willing to speak the truth about a catch 22 situation that she herself put her in!
Ken, Unfortunately this is the way CO's generally operate. The harassment of inmates both male and female is finally being exposed. I agree with you. Bring on the media. Just don't make it selective and don't misplace any files or move staff to new locations. And what about that C.O. code of silence? Let staff speak without having their lives threatened.
Actually a patient who is declared mentally ill can't refuse treatement. A juged as ordered her to be incarcerated because she his a treat to her life or someone else. The law doesn't include being left to die while i watch her doing it!
11 year's without proper training that's negligence from our intitutions! And no boss in the world would tell me... wait until she isn't breathing anyore before enterring. She's purple and agonising, it's clesr to me that she wasn't going to hurt anybody...
In response to "if you can not do the time don't do the crime."
ReallY!!!! She was a child and almost any child her age in a school setting who threw an apple at someone would be given detention not solitary confinement, beatings and death!
Bravo to David and Winston for your intelligent comments. The documentary was severly disturbing, from both points of view, both sides of the story. But getting emotional and susceptible about it means we are missing the point. Before getting all upset at the reporters, why aren't people able to see the point here: a horrible situation, both for patients and guards. But instead of proposing ideas and pushing for change, involved people are afraid to divulge their opinions and stay in a perfectly straight line, as we human beings are so good in doing: following each other like sheep. Bottom line: a grossly undeducated society concerning mental health, and HUGE lack of education and training and resources for the milieu. This is embarrassing, as we are in Canada. Surprising and disapointing, as we are in 2010.
CBC....when did you start using the journalistic tactics of the National Enquirer? I have seen this story from both sides, and I think it is sick that you are allowed to lie to Canadians like you do. Shame on you. I guess writing this is pointless...you moderate that too. Nothing says transparency like editing....
Amazing. Karla Holmolka (adult) murders 3 people and gets 12 yrs in prison with fashion parties and cake. Ashly Smith (child)throws an apple and gets the death penalty!!!!
Any human being left in isolation would go insane; human beings are social creatures.
There is no justification for the treatment of this girl or the intimidation of nurses and witnesses!
I am beyond disgusted and I urge everyone else who agrees with me to write to their MPP and demand that this sort of thing never happens again!
Diane,
There are many layers of wrong presently in our society and you are astute enough to see at least two. Surely, you must be in another layer of " wrong"if you were incarcerated.
In all of these layers how does anyone decide where their personal responsibility lies?
I have worked as a health service provider in several arenas including Corrections and agree there are atrocities in all of them ..and seemingly everywhere in society-at-large...
What will spark within us the desire to stop and make it better.??????
May God have mercy on our souls....as we sentence ourselves to a certain doom based on what we both do ... and fail to do..
You and others cannot fob this onto the general public who were kept in the dark on the whole affair. The "psychiatric facility", the "correctional system", the "guards" and everyone in it that knew what was happening and didn't report it are guilty as are those like you who defend the system and individuals in it.
Right. I'm not a guard and could never be one. But it doesn't follow logically, philosophically or morally, that by virtue of that fact, anyone taking on the job can commit crimes.
That's what they did.
Unfortunately, Ashley had a borderline personality disorder, not a mood disorder. Borderline Personality disorder is infinitely more difficult to treat than other mental illnesses and is not responsive to any medication. Treatment requires a highly skilled clinician and years of psychotherapy/support. There was no way Ashley would get the help she needed in the forensic system.
I watched this episode the other night. I cried so hard knowing that this is happening in a civilized and modern country like Canada. It is a disgrace to think that people can do that. As a young woman in my 20's I feel like that could have been me, that I could have been mistreated, thrown in jail because I threw apples at a mail person as a teen. I truly believe that things need to change within the Correctional Department, so that inmates and patients alike are treated like humans, and to prevent any further unneccessary and sad, sad deaths. The guards that were working during the time of her death should be severely punished, but we all know they will probably only get a slap on the wrists. It is deplorable.
Well, there are clearly two sides to this story, however, this story was about Ashley.
Anyone declaring their anger and getting defensive after watching this episode is missing the point.
Certainly there were prison guards culpable for Ashley’s death but I believe the larger issue is appropriate funding and the miniscule budget allotment for the mental health system within the corrections system; and mental health in general.
I cried for Ashley, I feel anger for those with the power to influence the issues, and I thank Hanna for a great story. Well done.
This is a tragedy for all involved. It is the way our system operates; prison guards are hired to do the dirty work for a society intent on punishing and not helping people who struggle with mental health. Anyone ever heard of "tough on crime" as an approach to public safety? This is what it looks like. Congratulations to the courageous people who spoke out, and hopefully there are guards who will do the same. Toward the end of the piece the guards' union reps showed some of what they need to show more of: pointing a finger at the lack of treatment and indignation over having to deal with the consequences. Prison is as bad for the jailers as for the jailed.
It is upsetting to hear that the Fifth Estate would leave out a lot of the the story and give the readers Half Truths. Watching the Video of I/M Smith on her last breaths is tough. But you can genuinely hear the concern in those Officers voices and unfortunately she went too far. Her games and need for attention got increasingly worse and the week of her death reports her choking herself everyday and a few times a day. Plus the over 30 staff assaults at Grand Valley alone - Sratching, kicking, biting, and spitting.
It is disturbing to see that the Fifth Estate left out that those 3 Officers once they entered the cell preformed CPR on her and fought to revive her until the Ambulance came.
They were good Officers that were caught up in a bad situation. Our Prisons do not have the resources to deal with these extreme cases and the front-line Officers are left holding the blame in the end, when all they were doing was following Orders that came from Upper management not to intervene or enter the cell unless she passes out.
Please Do Not paint our Correctional Officers with such a negative attitude. Canada's Prisons are filled with some great professional and compassionate front-line staff - from Correctional Officers to Health Care.
Dear 5th Estate,
Well, that was only part of the story, when are you airing the rest? I'm not quite sure what the end objective was in this so called documentary, however, it must be said that what was watched last night was extremely one-sided and only a tidbit of the reality of that situation. I can't tell you how many Correctional Officer's are outraged and discouraged after this airing. Was Ashley's death tragic? Of course, every CO takes an inmate death to heart in their own way and any death is tragic. However, Correctional Officer's have been working for years now to educate the public as to how the system truly "works". Does anyone think it's easy to watch another human being try to harm themselves...not at all. Every time it happens it leaves an emotional scar on every Officer involved, which becomes cumulative, which is why we have the second highest PTSD rate than other related fields. As for the public opinion by those not in our uniform, I have not met 1 Police Officer over 14 yrs who wants our job. The simple flip side to this is that if you don't restrain, then they self-harm, disrupt Institutional routine/security, assault staff and other inmates etc. For every Canadian with an opinion on what ought to be done or should have been done, I would first encourage them to serve the public as a CO for 5 yrs before they give their opinion. Right now CSC would have to hire 300 to 500 full time mental health specialists just to deal with the current mental health issues inside our Institutions. In the interim, CO's have to be all things including counsellor’s, psychologist’s etc, which runs a bit contradictory to the primary role of maintaining security. See, inmates don't take well to someone in uniform charging them for smoking dope, than 12 hrs later, are trying to intervene in their suicide attempts. It tends to create a hostile response. Since the 5th Estate worked so hard on obtaining the video, and the family wanted it aired for the public to see, I would encourage that in the next documentary on this issue, that all reports of staff being assaulted, every counselling effort, every behavioural or misconduct report be aired as well. This would also include things like the fact that the Officer's were following directives laid out by the senior management...in efforts not to stick my neck in a noose, suffice it to say that there are far more critical details that were left out of this documentary...maybe next time you could address the professionalism that the Officer's involved displayed despite the circumstances and the impacts that this situation had on them. I'm pretty sure none of them got promoted as did one of the managers involved. The same manager who also has the recent suicide of a staff member on her hands. But I guess there'd be no story in those details...
What you (and it appears everyone else) is missing is that Ashley had rights. One of these was the right to refuse treatment. Corrections Staff did not stand around because they enjoyed watching her suffer. She REFUSED treatment. They had to wait until she was unresponsive until "implied consent" became in effect (i.e. medical treatment could be legally applied). In this case, treatment came too late (but this was inevitable). Many may not like this but this is the law. if you don't agree with the law, focus your anger there (not at the CSC staff).
Shame on the 5th Estate for not educating the viewers in this regard (but then why let the truth get in the way of a good story).
A few comments:
How is it that correctional staff expected to protect and guard the safety and well-bing of prisoners can work without CPR and life-saving training for over 11 years?
Prisons will never be the place for true recovery or rehabilitation; especially for mental health patients who need treatment and services outside of the correctional system.
CSC staff are not equipped to deal with the mix of needs that our governments decide to lock up in custody.
Inmate is a word. Ashley was a person.
How sad and shallow a human being you must be!! Your comments only show your complete lack of empathy and understanding for the people in society who require just a little bit of extra time and patience! This child did not murder anyone! She merely did what many young people today have done - misbehave! Let's put this into perspective here. This child needed understanding and to be treated like a human being. Instead she was treated like an animal. I have to wonder if the tables were turned and the child being incarcerated for throwing a crabapple was the child of a correctional officer, would that CO stand by and watch while their child was being treated like an animal? I think not!!
I was horrified to see the way Ashley was treated. It seemed to me that some of the guards were treating her as if she was just 'being bad.' Where is their Mood disorder training? As far as I am concerned, if you are going to work at a place that has mentally ill people, then every staff member should have the training for it. I don't want hear any whining or crying about the cost. Some of our politicians could take a pay cut. A lot people are trying to survive on $1,100 a month. Why should they make 10 times that? I have taught myself about mood disorders from going to every book I can find in the library. I have a 16 year old son who is on a book of medicine trying to treat his mental illness. We have been going through the medications for 2 years. He takes roughly 20 pills a day. Still having a lot of problems. The Doctors are confused. Aren't too sure what to do with him. His meds will work for a while then quit. He is very suicidal some times. And that scares the crap out of me. There is no easy fix for mental illness. Just throw some pills at the person and all will be good. What a joke! Especially, if they are under the age of 18. Most of the meds are not made for them. For you people out there who haven't got a clue about mental illness, it would be very nice if you could do some research on what its like to have a mental illness or be the spouse of one or a parent who watches hopelessly as your child is struggling through their life. My son has been diagnosed with Bi-polar, ADHD, ODD and has some funky thing going on with his heart. His dad is Bi-polar and Grandpa was schizophrenic. My son has said many times that he feels life is not worth living. Imagine hearing your child say this to you and you have been trying to get all the help as you can for your child. One police officer told me that the mental health care here in the West is not as good as in the East. For some reason we do not count as much.
i thik that Ashley Smith’ shouldn't of been it jail for pellting a post man there are outher of intervation like youth progams for high risk youthabout to get with the law and the there is community work and Restorative justice and the abuse of the people is of our pen's just outherlike people from the outside have prolbms they do thats what got them there and i think gurds should be sentive and be more careing and the inmates in there what is wrong and find out why the way the immate is acting and help them with there problams and stop treating the immates like they are crap and treat them like us if the gruds gave them respct the immnates would to and even the worst of the worst would give respct and the say give respct get respct
How worst can it get?
If an annimal was treated like this charges would certainally be laid.
So where are the rights of Ashley Smith here. She did not commit a crime deserving death actually there is no death penality here in Canada and her 30 days led to four years of torcher so who's going to be held responsible for this one?
If I was forced to live in these conditions I would have done the same thing.....time after time....escape at least now this illegal activity will be exploited.
There are two sides to every story. I know I am very appreciative of those correctional officers who work to keep me safe at the RPC, who every day put their lives at risk.... I know even though I work with the same patients every day that I could not do their job.... It is a thankless job and they are working to keep Canadians safe! You only need to spend one day on the inside and all of those of you who are so critical would get your eyes opened. You have NO IDEA what things are like on the inside. I would also like to comment on Justine Winder. As a staff member who has worked directly with her, I wonder why the improvement in this young woman's behaviour was not reported in this show... Her treatment team at the RPC has done an amazing job with her. She is nowhere near the person she was when she was first admitted. Interesting to note that she has suffered some relapse after the airing of the show - how stressful for her..... I strongly believe that those who work closely with this young woman should have been given credit for what has happened with her treatment over the last while.... I think it is terrible that this was not reportedd. I guess that's the way it goes though - report only what you want..... I challenge all of you to walk the halls of the Regional Psychiatric Centre and work with some of the very ill individuals who reside there. Then perhaps you would have the right to comment....
The documentary could have been an opportunity to address future strategies and options or to at least shed light on the complexities of such situations. Hana Gartner had an agenda and the result was melodramatic and almost comical- her stance, her provoking, the muffled voices... Whether Smith was mentally ill or just damaged (from the family that is suing the government, that means you, for 11 million)- the reality remains that the front line staff were dealing with her (and the other woman)on a day in and day out basis for very long shifts. That is itself might be not only exhausting and numbing but traumatic on some level. Gartner includes the drawing of the pinel board as though it were a torture device recovered from a medieval museum. Does she have a research team? If the prison cannot use chemical restraints what are they to do? A psychiatric hospital will use chemical restraints to protect the patient and staff. Should the staff let her assault because she is mentally ill? Really - what are the options? I am an advocate of therapy so was Smith recieving therapy or did it not work? if someone wants to tie ligatures around their neck and therapy isnt working and meds arent working and you cant use chemical restraints what should be done to keep that person alive? Of coarse what happened is sad and disturbing but this is a very very complex situation. Personally I would like to see my tax dollars go toward therapy for children. Perhaps Smiths mother - (was that really her mother?)will make a donation. It would have been a worthwhile topic had Gartner been less ambitious and more mature to discuss it.
I couldn't have made a better comment!
This is total crap!! Hanna you clearly had the end result of your piece mapped out from the beginning. You manipulated every interviewee to the direction that you wanted. Framed the UCCO representatives as goons and tried your damnedest to paint Ashley's family in a positive light.
If Ashley was wronged by the CSC, it was from the mental Health standpoint and not from the CO'S actions.
How many times was she 'allowed' to assault CO's? The statements made by the UCCO reps, although somewhat gruff, was completely correct. The fact that the CO's were instructed to wait till Ashley became unconscious before entering her cell was not the first option but something that was instituted after MANY acting jobs on her part to lure CO's into her cell so as to assault them. Hanna, would YOU go into her cell knowing that there was a real likelihood that she was going to attempt to assault you?
Ms. Smith was the extreme case. Any other inmate found with a ligature around their neck would be attended to as soon as safely possible by the responders. AGAIN, she had a lengthy history of these attempts.
Surely, there were errors made at different levels but you should be presenting the facts from a neutral standpoint. Instead, you come off as a sleazy gotcha journalist.
Angry - Of what do these "attacks" consist/ feces and urine? Has this been reported , documented, by guards and staff at Federal Correctional Institutions? Have they been substantiated or are they rumors only? During the G8,20 summits police wore face shields.
Couldn't this problem, if it exists, be corrected by use of these shields?
You don't know how ridiculous it sounds to say that burly guards have no alternative but to beat the s@#t out of any prisoner, much more so for a teenage female -then watch them turn blue and die.
Well written! The problems start for an incarcerated individual long before they reach the Federal System. I firmly believe the problem with our Criminal Justice System lies with our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We should amend section 7 so that it applies to all Canadians with the exception to those who have infringed on the Rights of Freedoms of another person. Take away the fundamental rights for repeat offenders! Why is so much time being spent on attacking Corrections and defending an offender who would not hestitate to harm anyone who stood in her way.
While this is a sad incident that occured, it should also be noted that many incidents with this same ending could be prevented daily. However, the supports and services in the mental health sector are underfunded and overworked. Perhaps if Ashley had been assisted prior to being incarcinated, this ending may not have occured. While there is definate room for improvement within Correctional Services, we can only hope that steps are already in progress for this to occur.
Thanks to the Fifth Estate every single Officer and Supervisor in Corrections can now expect their work environment to be even more dangeous than before. I forone did support the Fifth Estate, but not anymore. Truly your facts are distorted as compared to what really happend. How about you interview the many staff that have been held hostage and assaulted within the CSC by the so called patients. Also perhaps allow Officers to provide feedback as to what happens when the wrong decsions by so called professionals is made. Who fixes it no matter what? Correctional Officers. Get you facts straight CBC trully disgusting journalism at the bare minimum.
The correctional system is not used to lock up and humiliate the inmate... maybe you should tour an institution and see just how poorly these inmates are treated.. Trust me you would have a very different view of how your tax dollars are being spent.. and it would not be on humiliating anyone.
it is you who is ridiculous. The irl was obviously mistreated.
Good that your husband does that type of work but do you walk into the work place everytime he works you don't know what he is like, that's your side of the story we are hearing. Just like this story there is proof video proof and you can hear them talking it's sickening to hear that they say f*** haven't done CPR in 11 yrs. What kind of people are they and were supposed think the kids are safer there. She was under servellience what kind of harm were they thinking she was going too. it is cruelty. I think if any of you people were confined to one room you would go crazy too! This girl could not harm anybody like how you are talking in your blog unless she had a gun or knife. They poke and prodded that girl by having a camara in her face and basiclly saying come on put on a show for us so when can say we do our job. All those guards should be ashamed of them selves. They played Russian Roulette with her life. Time for them to pay the price it's right there on video lady!
not to mention, Dr's, nurses, psycologists, councelours, and sometimes in parenting roles,.
Not even involved in the prison system in any way I'm embarrassed for the so-called journalists involved in this. Taking a page from american sensationalism.
I hope this person does not deal with people. I hope this person has nothing to do with animals either. These are not the kind of opinion you expect to find in a democracy, much less an enlightened one. Such attitudes towards both the mentally ill and prisoners are backward, and were seen as such even by many people in the 19th century and earlier.
How is that our society has bred people like the commenters here, who actually think there is some rational defense for what these guards and this system did?
Disgusting and disturbing are some of the apologists for a system in which several burly policemen can with impunity beat up on someone in solitary confinement.
This is usually called "sadism" and can't be excused by citing the "difficulty of the job". Even in war, according to international law,
no one is excused from doing something inhuman simply because he/she are told or even ordered to to so - unless they have a gun to their own heads.
Was this the case here, and what about the threats made against those who went public or even complained - can that be overlooked as well?
We have no claim to being a democracy if this case isn't thoroughly investigated and everyone involved in these subhuman actions, prosecuted to the full extent.
What did she do after the crabapples, at 15 years of age, 5 foot 3? Did she kill someone, torture someone, drown some babies, hold terrified people at gun point for days, beat someone to a pulp with her fists?
These posts from guards validate everything the Fifth Estate did. If anyone had any doubt about the lack of humanity of prison guards they don't after reading your comments.
Shame on you.
Although the story is slightly one sided it is unfortunately pretty accurate.
At the end of the day it comes down to money!
Check how many psychologists that institutions have on staff? In some cases there are none! This is because CSC is not the employer of choice for technical and professional trades. They pay less than the outside and overwork the ones they have on staff. A psychologist can work 60% of the time and make more money in private practice on the outside. Nevermind the cuts the current govt is making to what little perks are left to govt employees. You get what you pay for. Cant build a Porsche with parts from a Skoda!!!!
Lets have Hana Gartner and Steven Harper both do a 12 hr shift in a Secure unit - then we might get unbiased journalism and the money CSC needs to do there job to the standards expected.
This chick? Her name is Ashley.
Excellent comment, Laura!!
Thank you Northern CX. I work at an open egress Medium where offenders are never locked in their rooms, in houses, not cells. Most CX (Correctional Officers) treat inmates with respect and kindly do their best to help them with a myriad of problems 24 hours a day, every day. I am talking about drunk drivers, murderers, psychiatric patients and sexual deviants. It is usually a good day for all and when it isn't, WE protect the inmates from themselves and other offenders, WE protect other staff members, WE have to follow a dizzying array of laws and internal directives and then WE are left without a voice because we work for the government. Before posting purely emotional comments, educate yourself on the facts of this particular case. Thank you Fifth Estate for finally publishing some posts that tell the inside story from Correctional Officers.
What a load of garbage and poor investigative reporting this program was. I worked in the featured Federal Institution (RPC Saskatoon)for 14 years and never - and I mean NEVER - did I ever see or hear about the abuses reported on this program. I worked in many different capacities during the course of my employment there, in both clinical as well as operational capacities, and I am here to tell you that I NEVER even heard any instance of a female (or male) guard hitting an inmate in the genitals. Absolutely unfounded! Also, as far as giving inmates injections against their will, what do you think happens in any mental health facility in this country?! On one hand, it seems that the Correctional Service of Canada was severely criticized for not providing mental health care for convicted criminals yet was then severely criticized for doing just that! I have spoken to other clinical staff (nurses) since the airing of this program and they were just as disgusted as myself for the one-sidedness of the reporting. Why did you not solicit any opinions from clinical staff that would refute the allegations made? It seemed like it was an operational (guards/correctional staff) vs clinical (nurses/social workers) dispute with the correctional staff being put on the defensive. I used to respect the Fifth Estate, assuming it was presenting information in an unbiased manner. My opinion is clearly changed. Just a reminder that the Canadian public should be wary of the media and the "facts" they present.
I've watched this program before. I was involved in a series of events that led to one of their productions a few years ago. I think there are a lot of exaggerations. A lot of times the journalists lead the person into answering what they want them to. Just my opinion.
Kathleen,
The nurses at RPC are not int he same union as the Correctional Officers. I know this because I spoke to a nurse who worked there. The nurses are responsible to their union which defines their legal obligations.
Quick question does anyone wonder why the nurses who came forward about atrocities in the facilities never felt they should come forward to prevent them. Only now are they. Do they not have a moral or legal obligation as health care workers to come forth?
Really in this day and age emails are traceable, police can investigate threats, and there is anti-harassment policies in place. How about the nurse who was "afraid for her life"...why from whom and bring forth some evidence so that the police can investigate.
Thank you and what about your code of silence among guards. It's all suspicion and interpretation. Right
Excellent idea we will shut down the Correctional Facilities and the Forensic Correctional Hospitals and the INMATES can all come live with you in your town as your neighbours with your children.
It is tragic yes, but it is one case! But hey lets release them all to the General Public!!!
HOw about re-opening Sanitariums where people with mental health issues can get care before they enter the Judicial System. Oh ya people wanted then shut down too, which pushed so many people with mental illnesses to the streets adn eventually into corrections. Sorry but the problem is huge and someone needs to step forth.
Oh and don't forget Ashleys behaviors were behavioral not all mental illness remember she had choices.
I find it funny that someone of obvious intelligence can so blindly watch a show and completely believe all of its contents. Health care professionals in the Correctional enviroment are #1 not in the same union nor do they answer in any way to the operations side of the house. If you want to make blanket statements I suggest that befor you pass judgement you do some research yourself. I hope you follow this up and dont jump on the band wagon all passion after watching entertainment because that is exsactly what this particular piece of Journalism is, one sided and no nearly a complete picture.
With all hope that you will take this reply seriously and do some leg work... and please reserve judgement until you see the entire picture.
Jr.
Anna..have you ever been incarcerated? Have you ever worked as a guard in an institution? I have..I was a guard for 8 years. Its not rosy in there ..its JAIL. Try having feces thrown at you or being spit at by AIDS patients. Try having a young girl display the remnants of her montly period to you. Try being called every name in the book because you counted someone for head count.
You people haven't a clue.
a comment that brings to light the fact that correctional officers are dealing with inmates, not princesses or little girls who were naughty. These people spend their days complaining about their treatment, requesting visits from correctional superiors at every turn. They commit vile acts against officers and at every opportunity cry to the Elizabeth Fry or John Howard society about injustice. Corrections officials do not transfer inmates because its a slow day and they have nothing better to do...they do so for just cause. This woman was incarcerated for a reason..this was not to be vacation spot where she was to be waited on hand and foot. Her behaviour was monitored and the guards dealt with it as best as they could. If my daughter was in the cell next to this girl I would be outraged at the time and attention given to her. When all else fails, claim mental illness. Then sue when money is involved. Our resources need to be used for people who do not break the law and are in dire need of medical assistance for mental illness.
This was so perfect..it needed to be reposted!
For all of you people who are so upset and disgusted withn the outcome of this I suggest you ask the proper questions! Why was INMATE Smith still in prison after her original 30 day sentence? The answer is simple.....she could not function in society and was a danger to herself and others. This episode showed the end of INMATE Smith but it sure did not comment on the dozens and dozens of times she assaulted correctional staff. While I certainly agree she did not receive the proper mental health treatment the fact remains that she was a violent INMATE who was capable of inflicting serious harm on correctional staff, nurses and ultimately her self. And please remember that she was an INMATE. The mental health staff call her and all the INMATES patients, but they are Federal Prisoners! Should she have been in jail? probably not. But to paint the Correctional Officers with a bad light is not only unfair in is unjust and irresponsible reporting on behalf of the Fifth Estate. I can tell you that many lives are saved in prisons on a daily basis across this country by Officers responding to situations.
For those of you who are truly concerned about the stste of things in the Canadian Prison system I encourage you to volunteer in an institution near you. Then you will be able to have at least a small understanding of what really goes on. This case is an extreme tragic rarity not the norm. Correctional Officers put their lives on the line every single shift they work to keep you memebers of the public safe. I think some of you forget who is in our prisons.......murders, robbers, rapists, child molesters etc. the worst of the worst of society. it takes a special type of person to deal with this element of society on a daily basis.
I did not write this to bash Ashley Smith. She was an INMATE with very special needs that were not met. But the fact reamins that she was a danger to the staff on a daily basis and certain precautions needed to be used with her. She had put ligature around her neck hundreds of times. This last time she was successful in taking her own life. She did that! No one else did that. Could it have been prevented? Most likely. But once again this was not the fault of the Correctional Staff. More budget dollars need to be spent on mental health issues within our jails. That is for certain
RIP Ashley.
How about we look at Canada first. After exposing the truth about what really goes on behind the walls, perhaps we can look elsewhere. I am concerned about what is happening to our loved ones in Canada's prisons now.
AMEN !!
Toby..that was brutal! It made Correctional Officers look bad. It made it look like it was our fault! How about the Federal government take the fall for this one. We can only do what we are trained to do with the tools we are given.
Maybe if more Corrections officers who felt the system is the failure stand up to what they believe is right and come forward to aid in correcting this problem rather than just hoping someone will make better things would get changed.
Change is needed and it takes brave people to stand up to the people in power and make it happen!!
One person can make people aware of a problem but it takes many people to make the powers listen !!
I agree that corrections officers should not be responsible for providing health care to the mentally ill, and YES, I'm sure Ashley assaulted many officers during her incarceration. But when did Canada institute death by hanging as the appropriate penalty for assaulting a corrections officer?? I may scream if I read one more comment about how hard it is working in corrections, and all the stuff they have to deal with ... I'm sorry, but if your job has burned you out to the point where you can watch another human hang themselves and stand by and do nothing, you're not fit for any type of work! Ashley was a mentally disurbed young woman that needed compassionate health care, and maybe just the feeling that one person in that facility was on her side. And shame on everyone involved who witnessed what was going on and did nothing!
How about The Fifth Estate has a separate episode documenting the dangers that the staff at Federal Correctional institutions face on a daily basis? INMATES are a constant threat to staff.
Why were such measures take against Smith and Winder? Because NOTHING ELSE KEPT THEM SAFE FROM THEMSELVES. Attempts to reason with them were not successful, attempts to help them with psychologists were not successful, re-constructing a correctional plan on several occassions turned out unsuccessful. You can't help people who don't want help.
Justine Winder and Ashely Smith repeatedly assaulted staff members and both went from a small sentence to federal sentences additional convictions. The Fifth Estate needs to look at both sides of the story and stop being so prejudiced against a system that indeed has flaws (as all systems do), but works to keep Canadians safe from imbalanced, crimnally-minded individuals.
This was the most one-sided piece of garbage I've ever seen. If they really want to see something positive come out of this tragedy; they should be asking our government why 80+% of the offender population incarcerated in provincial and federal correctional centers suffer from some sort of mental defect or illness. Many of which go undiagnosed. This chick was one of the few that get relocated to a hospital and not a jail. Where were her doctors? Why was it run as a jail by guards and psych nurses? Did you notice also that when she interviewed the guards it was all dark and shadowy? The music was all dark and twisty. When she interviewed the nurses and the mom it was brightly lit and the colors in the background were all light. This was a witch hunt if I ever saw one.
This is journalism? Maybe all the facts should be produced, not only the ones that poor little Ashley's family want to be seen. Blaming the guards for the whole thing is a complete farce. They have a job to do, and are told by managers what to do. Painting all correctional officers with the same brush is foolish. It is not an easy profession and I would like to see Ms Gartner work a day in their shoes ionstead of hiding behind a camera. This was appalling and ridiculous!
Amen, sister.You hit the nail right on the head. Did you notice also that when she interviewed the guards it was all dark and shadowy? The music was all dark and twisty. When she interviewed the nurses and the mom it was brightly lit and the colors in the background were all light. This was a witch hunt if I ever saw one.
I too, feel this story is one-sided. Yes, it is tragic that a young life is lost and I truly feel for her family. Emotions aside, why didn't the story report on the ALL the offences that put Ashley in that institution? Yes, it may have started with throwing an apple at a postal worker, but obviously it escallated to much more that was not reported on. The story also does not speak of any other treatment for her. Many of the comments speak of behavior of guards and Corrections Canada. This particular institution has mentally ill patients AND mentally ill inmates. Does the government fund and special training to work in this type of institution? You need to get to "root cause" to determine what corrective and preventive action is needed. Also, this event occurred in 2007. There was no mention whatsoever of what has been done in the past 3 years to improve things, leading people to believe this type of occurance is happening as we speak. I would have expected more responsible journalism than this. I can't imagine how physically and mentally demanding it must be to deal with patients and inmates in that psyciatric institution day after day. It's very easy to critisize a job we ourselves would not be willing to do.
People need to be aware that there are many items about the story they do not know. The judicial system and CSC did not fail Ashley Smith; but society as a whole did. CSC, RCMP and any other governing Government body is dictated to by how society feels we should act and treat the public.
People every where is forgetting that the people Ashley Smith assaulted are also someone else's child(ren). Should we forget all that she did to get her sentence extended, NO! Yes she may have had mental health problems, but what did her parents do for her? Nothing! If they had gotten her the help that they say she needed, why was she lost in the system?! CSC and the judicial system is not to blame for the sad and untimely death of Ashley Smith. Could something have been done differently? Probably; but how about we focus on things that we learned from this experience and quit looking for who to blame!
I watched this program last evening I felt so much inside for Ashley I didn't know Ashley But we cannot allow Ashley's life experience to be in vain. Thanks for helping Ashley Mrs Gartner Your documentary showed how much you cared Ashley made a sacrifice by permitting her own life to exploit the extreme illegal violation's of any person's rights while in detention center's across Canada little did she know this herself :(
Rest In Peace Young Ashley
Thank-you Fifth estate for bringing the light to these very issues that exist in many levels of our government. Working with Developmentally Handicapped Adults who often were very young I have seen first hand how these vulnerabal people could attempt to hurt themselves for self stimulation and also seeking attention. I feel sorry that our system failed Ashley Smith and let her become so out of control that she was able to end her own life as they stood by and watched. Thank you to the Nurse for coming forward as they have and ethical responsibility to the College of Nurses to report any wrong dueing. Stand strong and know that what you have done is also bringing light to a dark situation. Yes Ashley was an inmate but she was a little girl who just needed help, whether she threw a crab apple at a postal worker or attempted to murder someone she was a human being who deserved quality care. I am sure that there are many good officers that do their jobs properly but I am hopeful that the inquest will bring change to the policies and procedures of Corrections Canada and help those people who need it the most.
I have written and rewritten this several times. It sickens me that such irresponsible journalism exists in our society. Face it people, this was a very bad woman. She physically abused countless people to get where she was. You say not true? How else do you explain going from a 1 month sentence resulting from VIOLENCE in a provincial prison to years in a federal penitentiary? She was pepper sprayed 19 times?? I have no pity for her, I feel bad for the Officers who had to pepper spray her, because they ALSO GOT PEPPER SPRAYED!! There is no invisible shield to that stuff, nor do you program the can with the person’s name! Everyone in that room would have received the effects of that action. Whichever way you slice this, it still boils down to the same thing. Ashley was a violent and abusive suicidal offender. The CSC stands for Correctional Service Canada, NOT Canadian Mental Health!!! Have some common sense people!! Painting Correctional Officers to be the bad guys is this story is abominable! Painting “all” of any group is repulsive. However I find this one particularly offensive. Military Officers, Police Officers, Correctional Officers all serve to keep Canada safe place. They do this sometimes at personal expense. Only the families of those who serve know at what cost. And those who “think” they know should pull their heads out or their backside. These men and women do a vital and necessary job, one that most could not handle for a day. One we need to be thankful that “we” do not have to. Hana Gartner you really should be ashamed of yourself for this despicable piece of garbage. You put your profession to shame today.
Hana After watching your show about Ashley Smith I feel ashamed to call myself a Canadian. This should never of happened and it has left me speechless... Poor Ashley Smith....SHAME SHAME SHAME on Canada..........
I was totally shocked and disgusted with all of the staff at Corrections Canada and the Provincial Psychiatric facility for allowing Ashley Smith to be continually judged, harrassed, and abused. Everyone involved in both facilities should be held accountable, including Federal Minister of Corrections, Vic Teows and Commissioner Don Head. I don't believe it or buy it at all, that any one of the powers at be did not hear or have no knowledge of what was happening to Ashley Smith or other inmates and patients prior to Ashley's death and after her death. I believe the abuse is currently continuing, especially because no one has done anything about it to stop it! WOW! Imagine that, eh? a teenager throws a piece of fruit and as a result, is abused and dies at the hands of a bunch of idiots who don't deserve to have a job anywhere. My heart goes out to Ashley's Mum, and GOD Bless you Mrs. Smith for your courage to come forward and I'm so very sorry for your great loss (((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))
Thank you so much Ms. Gartner for your awesome show and giving us the truth of what's REALLY out there. GOD Bless you! (((((((((HUGS))))))))))
i watched this and see no need for inquiries or any other actions.
at other times she was confined because of her actions. then she was medicated because of them. no matter what was done for her it was never enough. her parents complained endlessly that the system could do anything. they complained about the drugs and the confinement.
she had tried to committ suicide many times before. she had put on a show of doing it so many times that the guards obviously thought this was yet another attempt to garner attention.
face it, she killed herself. when someone is truly determined to do so, there is nothing anyone can do about it. especially not when everyone b!tches and complains about everything the system does that it is capable of doing.
she had been trying to kill herself for years. looks like she finally got it right.
chris I agree 100%. not just the hourly paid screws, but all the way up the chain right into the " Most Woarables " in ottawa.
I am thankful that Corrections Management is being portrayed like this. This is only one of many issues that are a constant concern in Canadian Institutions. I am disappointed that the reporting was not in depth and was based on heresay. Some facts could have helped instead of an emotional roller coaster with no substantial factual basis. The worst part is that Guards are portrayed as the decision making body of Corrections. Guards just do their job and it must be a hard one to do. What are their supervisors and Wardens telling them to do. Obviously by being on camera they have to follow the proceedures and training that they were ordered to do. Look at every prison movie made and who is the bad guys? Guards are an easy target because of implanted bias from Hollywood. Why was their no talk of Wardens and management and what their orders were for guards or proper procedure in cases such as this. I'm sure this is not the only case. Poor job on reporting a fraction of the story. Makes the reporter look like she put this out to try to get an emotional response to get an award.
"Powerful" and "significant" are understated descriptors for this documentary. Bravo Fifth Estate, you deserve a Pulitzer for your wonderful work undertaken on behalf of all Canadians.
Aside from pointing out the horrors still inflicted on mentally ill incarcerated persons today, this episode pointed out other important concerns too.
Such as, who protects the employees who are brave enough to risk their livelihood, safety and well-being to speak out against injustices? Without source protection for civil servants, the media has great difficulty protecting democracy.
Where is the awareness of the Ontario judge who thought showing an actual death to increase societal awareness is wrong in a country that views far worse graphic depictions of violence for 'entertainment' purposes?
How many correctional officers, who also suffer from environmentally induced hazards to their mental health, have to snap from inadequate training and support before CSC responds appropriately?
It's hard to weight out the worst injustice. But it may be that each of us as individuals, who fail - either by voting in supportive governments of such atrocities, failing to vote, or failing to hold them accountable - are the worst offenders. It's not the cons in prison who are our greatest safety threats in Canada. It's the average person who can't be bothered to participate in preserving democracy and civil rights.
Terrible reporting in this story. So many unanswered questions... Seems like the reporter deliberately chose to only tell half the story. i.e: what exactly did justine winder do? What did she get 2 years for?!
There were many disturbing aspects to this report. The attitude of the representatives of correctional guards was an indication of what appears to be a pervasive attitude of all of the guards involved in this case. When you have a former warden not wanting the front of her house filmed, nurses refusing to have their faces shown, and more than one comment on the 'parking lot' justice system these people employ it is little wonder that a defenseless young woman died while several guards looked on.
The thought that kept running through my head as I watched this show was that this was a young girl who acted out like a bad child.
Has the Judge, or the postal worker who filed charges, ever realized their overreaction to a child throwing crab apples resulted in her eventual death.
It was not medication that Ashley needed, but someone to talk to, at the very least; everyone needs to communicate, but a teen girl needs it most of all. To isolate Ashley for years was nothing less then torture. Someone so young would not know that she is the victim, that they were all doing her wrong. she was too young to know that we cared, that we are humanity. What that child had to do to get some one to talk with her is the saddest thing I will ever feel.
This is a very sad story. It would have been helpful to see Ashley's family background, where was it that things went wrong. It is obvious that the treatment of mentally ill inmates needs to be looked very carefully into and the staff closely monitored for any possible abuse or corruption. I would say that this is especially needed here where the stress and high demands on one's patience and kindness are at risk and violence and abuse set in. This must end if we want to call our selves and civilized society.
If you can't do the time don't do the crime
What disgusted me the most about this story is that on October 8, 2009, the family of Ashley Smith launched a lawsuit against the federal government for $11-million. Why should her family receive monetary gain for the pain and suffering Ashley experienced? I feel the government should be forced to put $11-million dollars into education (in Ashley’s name) for families with children who have mental health issues, not give the money to Ashley's parents who were not there for her when she needed them the most. Ashley’s parents did not monitor her on suicide watch for 15 minute intervals nor did they provide her direct and constant supervision while she was a youth exhibiting behaviour which was screaming for intervention. It is so easy to blame Federal Corrections when in fact the problems for this girl began long before she entered the system.
Well, if she could not do the time then don't do the crime. Stay outta jail, simple.
We can all agree a life is not worth loosing. However, this documentary is not complete or factual. Statements like, " Two guards called me and said they would look after my daughter." Did Hana Gartner confirm that, not bloody likey. Or how about the Registered Nurse. Her claims leave the viewer with a severe case of, "Whats this Gal on." I'm sure Hana will get some kind of award for this inept abuse of journalsim. All the while serious questions remain unanswered and Hana's reports leaves you empty.
There is a link to the left that gives you a time line of Ashley's life. Perhaps some of your questions about her family life, etc. can be answered by reading there.
dont hold your breath chris for any charges to be brought.the federal government employs a battery of lawyers to protect the senior bureaucrats who are responsible for the ashley smith outcome.
I am grateful to Hanna Gartner for bringing this information before the public. There is no excuse for the repetitive taunting and cycles of self abuse and guard abuse that this young woman experienced in this prison/hospital setting...The nurses involved in the documentary present a revealing, humane and perceptive viewpoint, from the vantage point of a helping profession. The fromer warden too had the courage to out the macho, streetgang like honour code of the guards. These guards are more interested in covering their liability, but under the circumstnaces, what else would be expected?? They show no competence or expertise in handling issues related to psychology, only police like strongarm tactics, no finess...and I would like to get a psychologist's opinion or a social worker's opinion of the scenario of locking up a teenager in solitary, and engaging in repeated acts of response and provocation...Teenagers need stimulation, peers and to be understood ie extra patience..... exactly what was lacking by female guards who made tit for tat comments, "This is an assault, That is an assault" allowing themselves to be baited by a teenager, instead of offering any skillful handling of the problem. And the behaviour of grown male guards was despicable, showed aggression, sexism and revenge not to mention excessive concern their own physical well being.... This is or sadly "was" a teenage girl!!!Not a savage killer.Her incarceration was a recipe for suicide attempts.... Shameful And it seems that the use of psychiatrists is just a ruse to legitimately restrain inmates in chairs or with the convenience of drugs... All the guards should have degrees in psychology or social work... That is more than obvious,, and the additions of baby cams in the wards of women would stop a lot of the abuse, especially if the public was invited to review/scrutinize the tapes or footage every week or so..Such oversight would be appropriate. I would like to see John Walsh or DR. Phil review this incident, in the court of public opinion..The ultimate responsiblity lies with the prison officials at the highest level and other senior levels of gov/t.. A shameful story that will no doubt be repeated if steps are not taken to modernize the prison system and move it into the 20th century...
What an incredibly poor piece of journalism. When is the rest of this story going to be aired about the path this individual took to put herself in this position. Or better put, when is the WHOLE story from both sides going to be released instead of this completely skewed half version that this so called journalist has put out.
Her mother asked, "What led her to kill herself that day?" She did. Nobody put her on that path but herself and most likely some poor, neglectful parenting. Corrections didn't let her die, she killed herself. Corrections didn't put that ligature around her neck, she did. From what I saw, she was the one refusing direction, direct orders and assaulting staff. All they were doing was restraining her to keep her from harming herself and others.
Why didn't this journalist ask why this inmates sentence kept getting extended? Could it be that she was a threat to society? Responsibility of actions are obviously words not in the vocabulary of this "journalists" dictionary.
Instead of polarizing the brave individuals who put their lives on the line every day to protect YOUR lives, YOU should be thanking them. If you think you can do a better job, sign up. You will soon change your attitude after you find out what abuses you take from these inmates
From,
Concerned about journalistic integrity
I want to say how horrific this is and shame on the system and the people who allowed this to happen to this young girl. The guards, especially the female one need to be held accountable for their actions and their own words. How could anyone, regardless of professional obligation stand there and watch someone die? They will pay in their own time, for what they have ultimately done to this beautiful child. No one, especially "our children" deserve to be treated in such an inhuman way. Shame on them, and there time will come one day, and they will have to answer for this...I want to say I am sorry to the mother and family of this child...may she rest in peace now.
This is disgusting! I hate the way the guards speak about the teens and that the only thing they can do is restraint them. Do these guards have any kids of their own? What am I thinking, one does not have to have kids in order to think with their mind. I really wish I could "spread the guards legs and punch them in their genitals" or better yet "hold their head with one hand and punch with with the other". The other staff may feel as if they are in danger but come on speak up! Being a Chld and Youth Counsellor how come in a group home we dont need to restraint the youth at all times when they have the same reactions as Ashley Smith? I hope everyone gets the opportunity to watch this video as a Canadian most think bullying is an issue but wait until you watch this!
There are many stories from Corrections that should be heard but are sadly not. The truth of such stories should be heard but sadly they are not the stories you are looking for. Stories of the heroism of officers that without regard of there own saftey save the lives of people whom would at any other time watch them die without a second thought. Officers that on a daily basis are expected to be Protector, Police, Paramedic, Fire department and so much more to people whom victimize the public without regard. Officers whom deal with the worst 3% of our entire canadian population. Officers with familys that have to take home all the terrible things they see with them for the rest of there lives. They do this with the knowledge that the canadians that they protect every day with there own lives will never truly know what they go through to make sure that they can be safe.
The loss of anyone in tragic circumstances is always saddening. I would like to however ask you to ask more questions, a few questions in particular. When did Journalism become entertainment?, when did the big story become more important than the truth?. You did not hear all the facts in this story... Nor did you care to look as most people do you took the word of W5 as if they had all the answers and were not entertainers selling a story for ratings. Please Delve deeper and without a closed mind...
And we are intent on building more of these dungeons.
We brag about the recent release of a pro-democracy person in Burma and bad-mouth the government there while we got worse happening right here.
Finally; people can't ask for psychiatric help in prison because if they do it affects their parole application and release plans.
It is like a solider asking for PTSD help.
Calm
No doubt the guards are uneducated as you appear to be, judging by your misspellings and grammatical errors. You would doubtlessly snap too if you were faced with endless taunting, foul language and aggravation from an inmate. Ashley's mother is the one who should be held responsible for failing to get proper medication and treatment for her daughter. It is a sad story, but I empathize with the guards.
Hannah this truth must be exposed. thank you. As impossible as it seems the weakest members of our society are not only the forgotten ones but also those aho are most often abused. I invite you to investigate the many psychiatric institutions where patients are 'housed' in Victorian 'asylums' and expected to recover from a mental illness while exposed to draconian environments. "The Mental", as it is known by in St John's, NL would be a place to start
WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND-----IS WHERE DID SHE GET THE LIGATURES FROM IF SHE WAS IN SOLITARY PROTECTIVE CONFINEMENT????? THEY SAY THEY TOOK THEM OFF OF HER 17 TIMES IN ONE DAY????? THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY MAKING IN ITSELF!!!!!!!
Unbelievable! A month sentence turned into 4 years of hell for this young person. This could happen to anyone or anybody's child. It doesn't surprise me that Ashley became suicidal - who wouldn't under those circumstances. As taxpayers, we need to hold Corrections Canada accountable. A psychiatric centre - give me a break. Call it what it is, a prison.
I absouletly appalled at how Ashley was treated , I actually posted your program on my wall of facebook so everyone could see how Ashley was treated .... Im so sad that this girl was treated in such a inhuman manner ...
I am in total shock watching and then reading what that poor child had to endure. I have a son who had alot of similar struggles and who is now in jail in Ottawa Ontario. She has been unjustly treated and am sickened to think that this happens in our country. I guarantee that over 50% of inmates in our correction facilities have some form of mental illness and are not being treated with the proper medical professionals. It is terrible that someone has to die the way she did to uncover the horrid conditions inmates have to endure. I pray we do not lose another like Ashley Smith.
As a Registered Nurse, I hope that one of the things that comes out of the inquest is the problem of corrections nurses reporting to the correctional system and being members of the same union as the guards. This is a serious governance issue that places nurses (who must develop therapeutic relationships with persons) in moral and ethical conflict with a system that is focused on custody and control. In other countries, health care professionals report to the Ministry of Health; are employed by health services and accountable for health outcomes. This makes their role as health care providers clear and supports a focus on care. The UK is in the process of making this change and funds for health care services and reporting requirements for outcomes to the primary health care trusts under the NHS are already in place. Persons in correctional facilities are entitled to the same level of health care (including psychiatric care) as other citizens. Funds are a key lever for change.
The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario passed a resolution at their annual general meeting in April of 2010 to lobby for this change in all federal and provincial correctional facilities. The impetus was the case of Ashley Smith.
In the meantime, I see my nursing colleagues in Saskatoon who came forward as very brave - even though they were doing the right and ethical thing. Obviously other health professionals did not feel able to do the right thing in a paramilitary context that uses fear and intimidation to maintain power.
Hana, please keep on this story. There are probably many other Ashley Smiths - to our everlasting shame.
Wow we are in uproar when worms and flees infest the humane socioty in Toroto, but the infestation of animals in uniforms, on boards and the faceless persons that know this is happening are protected. How do you sleep at all. Oh Can-a-da shame shame shame on you!
Obviously a very troubled young woman, I am equally saddened by her death and for the plight of Corrections Canada employees whom had to ultimately try to deal with the matter.
Are we to assume from the show that we should have had a dedicated person watch Ashley 24 hours a day (3 shifts say, 7 days a week), and be constantly trying to deal with her repeated attempts to strangle herself without the use of constraints or medication or both?
Seemingly an impossible task to have this situation turn out to be anything but a tragedy for all parties concerned.
I hope this does not turn in to a witch hunt against Corrections Canada, Lord knows they have a tough enough job as it is.
Perhaps in these types of cases, the person should be turned over to the family, whom can then take the responsibility to ensure that the person is cared for and is not a danger to themselves or the rest of us.
Thanks for CBC for investigating this broken system in our correctional facilities. When you put a dog in a cage for months it becomes dangerous. So putting a human being in a solitary confinements will just add more grief, confusion and turn them to aggressive behavior. Never mind if you are mental ill. So why is this happening in a place where there are psychiatric doctors and other specialists ? It takes little mental effort to understand this. Shame to them. Or are those places some hubs to test some drugs and mental health behaviors instead of rehabilitating them ?
I hope there will be a follow up and it's never to late to fix this broken system.
This has been going on for years it is nice to see that someone is speaking out for these girls because they can'nt if they did guards got ways to punsh them without touching them. I prays go out to these girls and there family
This documentary makes me sick about what is happening in our country. This reflects poorly on the training these people working in these insitutes receive. The two union people in the document should be sent back for training and handling of poeple who require help.I think charges should be brought against the people who handled this person. I am writing a letter to my local fedral MP and have rhis put forward in parliament. Thank you Fifth Estate Excellent job!!!
After seeing the show tonight and especially the final video I could not believe the anger I felt to learn what went on regarding Ashley and her death. The fact that the guards simply watched for 30 minutes and could have prevented this death leaves me speechless. Someone had the responsiblity to ensure the safety of Ashley and quite simply failed to to thier job resulting in the death of a child. Things need to change and I sincerely hope all Canadians who saw this show sends a message to those in power. I also hope those in power hear the message!!
I trust the responsible people have resigned or are going to in the near future.
Thank you for exposing the horrifying story of Corrections Canada and the lack of funding for mental health in its facilities. Who do we contact to donate money to change things, and hopefully, people's attitudes?
Hana,congrats on your very informative story about Ashley.Correctional Services and RPC should be held accountable.Society should know what goes on in those places,its a nightmare in all those places.Thats only one incident,believe me there are alot more.Keep up the excellent work.
A loss of any life is definitely regrettable, yet this young lady's life could have been saved if she had received all the attention a mentally ill person deserves. No one seems to take responsibility for what had taken place behind those big bars. This video is shocking by all accounts, this could have happened to your sister,niece or whatever, this should not have happened in the first place, somebody should be held accountable for the death of this young lady. It is really sad that we brag about justice system and how good it is while innocent lives are lost the way Ashley lost hers R.I.P Ashley.
There are always two sides to every story, and unfortunately this story only tells one side. This story is also full of exaggerations and half truths.
My husband is a Correctional Officer at RPC, and a very good one. His work ethic is based on the highest standards of respect and honesty. I feel for Ashley and the situation she was in. Mental illness is real and can be very extreme. But we must remember that she was also an inmate. She was in prision for a reason and her mental status should not negate this.
She attempted self-harm many times, and many times the brave officers who worked for the CSC denied her the wish of death. Just like other officers, the officers at RPC put their lives in danger to protect our society. They went into her cell knowing that she wanted to harm herself, and would not hesitate to harm them.
So on the day that Ashley succeeded and her desire to die became reality the officers did what they had to do to protect themselves.
Please tell me why my husband should put himself in danger to save the life of someone who does not want to live. Why should my daughter be without a father so Ashley could play her games and crave attention time after time?
It is frustrating how this story skewed the truth. For example, at one point CBC states that the court room of the supervisor was packed with officers from RPC. The truth is that there were five there, which is a far stretch from 'packed'. And the nurse which wrote a report and then decided to 'tell the truth'... well, lets just say again, there are always two sides to every story.
Although everything with corrections and the CSC may not be perfect, I do know that they are doing the best with what they have. They are protecting us and serving our community. Not for a second should you believe that they are doing anything less.
So my message to the Fifth Estate, you should focus more on presenting the whole story and not choose sides and only present your side.
This is very sad for her family and friends,i hope justice comes for her family.god bless
I hope they also make public the "punishment"
that rapists, murderers, child sex offenders, really get.
Imagine, your son or daughter raped and killed, then imagine that the killer is in Federal Jail eating an icecream cone, or playing softball, or lounging in the sun getting a tan. I hope these images make you sick because this is the truth of what happens behind bars.
Canadian Corrections is the worldwide leader. Look at the some of the other countries and how they would have handled Inmate/Offender Smith. She was lucky to be in Canada.
I really wish that the team at the Fifth Estate wasn't so one sided. After several attempts to commit suicide, that staff intervened and saved her, Inmate Smith was succesfull in killing herself. If she would have been at home in the bathroom or her bedroom this story wouldn't even exist. Staff did what they could to help this unproductive problem of Canadian society, yet in the end she didn't want help.
I am also very ashamed to be canadian, this is horriblestory of our justice system we do not make responsible anyone guard at all for death. How many more not told about? why are guards not charged or fired. I hear of many police and guards stories all the time of their power trips and abuse of human beings. I now know why many hate authority figures. I am personally myself terrified of calgary police and by-law officers, they are also getting away with things all the time. I thought they were suppossed to help people. any upstanding cops or guards left? probably not as they fear loosng their jobs.Will anyone stop theese power trippers? mostly men of course!
I just couldn't bring myself to watch the entire clip. . . after spending just 5 days in "jail" recently, while waiting for a bail hearing, I was overwhelmed by what I witnessed . . and the stories I heard from other "girls" . . . bottom line though - I would prefer to spend time in prison than spend time in a hospital after what I witnessed in over 10 years starting in 1991 at the onset of Health Care Cuts, while taking "care" of my now deceased parents - the atrocities I witnessed in Hospitals in Ontario and what my parents and I went through with the Ontario Health Care System were worse than what I witnessed and went through in prison.
i think that is very wrong for the guards to stand their and watch also not do anything to help, its mostly their faults why ashly smith is dead. those building should be shut down for good, because for what they are doing and the actions they are doing are very WRONG and no one should be put threw with that much punishment that they dont deserve those building should be shut down and get the governments attention to make them relize that those building are jsut creating more death but for everybody that supports that the building are good i disagree that it jsut plainly sick and discusting....
Thankyou Fifth Estate for bring this story to us. Thankyou to Ashley's mother for letting us view these videos. While watching this show I became so upset, it brought me to tears. I am not one bit shocked that the system failed Ashley. We have the RCMP that have MAJOR problems with their member. Now we have our correctional institutions that abuse and let our children die. Somthing has to be done by a non-bais inquiry. Who in this govenment should we contact? I'm sure there was a lot of viewers that viewed this story...what do we do as citizens to prevent this from happening again...and we know it will happen again. I think that all the Guards should be tested to make sure that they are competent to do their jobs. And I believe I heard a female guard say that it was 11 years between CPR courses...what is going on!!!!
Ashley, I'm so sorry the whole system failed you! You are now in a better place honey RIP..
WHO ARE THE SICK ONES NOW!!!! I dont understand and I find this very hard to even believe is happening. Tv. and media have made everyone numb so they no longer comprehend on what is accually happening out in the world today. Were so caught up in technology and money that no one realizes what is real and non real. Well this is REAL and im not to sure if anyone will ever be able to change it. It would be nice to believe but it would have to take alot of money and power. They already have the money but do they have the people. What kinds of people are in charge and should they be evaluated? And how do they sleep knowing what is happening. When is enough, enough!
“Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.”
Was this young woman ever seen by a doctor for more then a hour?.How does anyone stand by with a video camera and tape a persons last breath of life.I dont understand.but i have heard many horror stories of homeless people and thier stories of thier treatment in hosptials.what we seen put a human face on the treatment of mentally ill people in mental hosptials.there needs changes.there needs charges against the gaurds and who ever is reponsable for this young lady death.no more cover ups!
Seeing this video was shocking. It blows me away that people can forgo their consciousness and do what they say is "a part of their job". I hope that all future people in the helping professions see this video and really think about how they are conducting their practice.
If you are so "disgusted" to be a Canadian, perhaps you should file your immigration papers to another country. That way you will be more patriotic and proud of the Country you live in.
As a Canadian who resides in the US I was told about your Friday episode by my Mother -I wanted to watch the episode via your website but unfortunately the video cannot be streamed outside of Canada?? Very strange. The story of Ashley Smith is a tragedy. From what I've read it sounds as though this girl should have had help from a very young age and that she could be extremely challenging to deal with. In reply to Angie Flagg's comment about the poor staff who have to deal with these unstable inmates - how would you want your sister or daughter treated Angie? Would you not want her to be actually TREATED and dealt with as a human being who needs HELP? A mentally stable person charged with the care and custody of a mentally ill or unstable individual should not retaliate or abuse the person in their care but that doesn't stop it from happening. This is one more case of the ones with the "power" preying on the weak and defenseless. It happens all the time to the "inmates" of nursing homes. It happens all the time in a host of other settings too. I don't honestly think that there will be justice for Ashley Smith in this world we live in, however, we are all responsible for our actions and we will have to answer for them at a later time.
First of all let me say Ashley Smith`s story is very sad.Things should have been handeled in a more professional manner.On saying that do any of you work in corrections and know what goes on everyday behind the prisons.Does anyone ever ask how we as Correctional officers go to work everyday knowing it could be our last day of work??remember the people inside have been taken of the streets to make them a little safer for all of us so with that much troubled young/old inside THINGS are not always easy or straight forward..no magic wand to fix everyone and alot goes on that is not a secret that people tend to ignore.Unless a person works everyday in a prison please do not shun a job well done and gice us Correctional Officers a high Five for our hard work..Just my opinion
I watched this horrifying story, and was particularly shocked to realise how little has changed since the disgusting treatment of women in P4W after the so-called 'riot' in the mid-90's. Here, segregation is still being used as a substitute for proper medical treatment for a young woman who was clearly mentally ill, (and indeed whose condition may have been made worse by her treatment in prison).
Louise Arbour's recommendation in the Commission of Inquiry report in 1996 was very clear about the limitation of segregation, and the deliberate flouting of the law by Corrections Canada is abhorrent.
Thank you for taking up this cause, (as Fifth Estate also did in the case of the 'riot') - many people, including the indefatigueable Kim Pate of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, tried then to bring the case to public attention, but it was the Fifth Estate's broadcast that turned the tide and led to the Commission of Inquiry.
Thanks. Please keep your watchful eyes on our prisons, and make sure the truth is told.
On your comment about unreliable nurses you are so wrong. I worked at RPC for many years and witnessed the intimidation that some security engaged in. It is as the social worker stated on the tv broadcast, you would be threatened that they would not respond if you needed help or that they would drag their feet and you the nurse could end up injured. I myself had received these threats but it did not stop me from acting humanely towards those in custody.
In reply to your question as to why Ashley was not medicated properly. I would say that Ashley was not psychotic but that she was a case of behavior disorder. This means that Ashley could control her behavior and did when she wanted too. When she was told that her mother was coming for a visit she was a model patient until after the visit when she returned to acting out behaviors.
I worked for 25yrs at the Regional Psych Centre and have witnessed many pts with acting out behaviors. I was however very shocked to watch the video of Ashley as she lay on the floor of her cell dying with staff looking on and not intervening. I believe that the guards were ordered not to go into the cell until after Ashley lost consciousness as she would then pose no threat to their safety. This would not have been allowed to happen at regional psyche center as in spite of concerns for staff safety a team would have gone in and removed the ligatures. You are wise to query how Ashley got to be this way and it obviously occurred way before she was 14yrs old. I would assume that Ashley used negative attention seeking as it was better than not getting any attention at all.
In closing I believe that Ashley injured many staff members with her acting out and that consequently the security staff were conscious of their safety and that they choose to wait for A loss of consciousness before intervening. This has been long winded but I hope it answers some of your questions.
www.cbc.ca/fifth/2010-2011/behindthewall/timeline.html
I completely agree with you Angie. This documentary was a one sided take on a very complex situation. From the watered down explanation for Ashley's incarceration to the questioning of guard behavior/motives, never did I get the sense that Hanah was looking at the events from more than one perspective. Certainly to be known as a very difficult patient, Ashley must have posed a real problem to prison staff, her school (from which she was expelled) and her community (which she terrorized). And while I do agree that more could have been done to help her, the responsibility rests with her parents. If they truly didn't think the psychiatric facility wasn't a good option for their daughter, than they should have voiced their concerns. A parent simply doesn't let slide the fact that their child is incarcerated when he/she should be in a therapeutic rehabilitation center.
Psychiatric Corrections:
This young girl’s death without question is tragic. It’s also tragic for the system, society and corrections. Assessing mental health state is something which should have been performed not by the Correction guards who are custodians of federal prisons. But this should have been performed is part of the legal process and was this facility correct for Ashley. I watched the video filmed by the guards and I believe appropriate enforcement actions were used to try and protect the guards themselves and to try and protect Ashley. If inappropriate action was used then why film the event. I can see why corrections resources are stretched beyond the limits or have limited training. When it takes 3-4 trained officers plus a person to film during intervention for one inmate who then is watching the other federal inmates? Ashley required 24x7 care and a proper intervention plan. I would like to be righteous and blame the guards but after seeing their film I have to believe guards who have families would never want someone to die on their watch. No one could live this and I can’t see anyone wanting this outcome. I think this has to be a tough job, not one I could do.
What I wonder is where were the parents during her life. What I see are people now coming out being righteous, great but for what reason? Seems to me someone stands to financially benefit. Lawyers financially benefit with a class action suit against Federal Corrections for the tragic event rather then looking internally at the legal system which placed her into the facility and is this the right location. Biological mother now comes to defend her daughter and I have to assume will financially benefit as a remaining legal family member or guardian if a legal case financially won. Her mother was not aware of any issues before Ashley went into Corrections, I find this hard to believe but what are the facts here? CBC benefits on this story from advertising and showing this tragedy but this is required in order to bring these issues to the front rather then hiding them.
Somewhere in between is the truth(s)and Ashley needed more help then many people could provide. No question different tactics are required. Guards were frustrated after 158 incidents and likely they get hardened to the issues and no question these frustrations probably get out of hand. I do have to commend Corrections for documenting what they did have on hand. Legal System needs to be changed to improve outcomes or perform proper assessments with proper treatment plans. Families and parents seem to have limits and sometimes may not be good parents or the children have problems much larger then good parents can handle. Governments and society have limits and yet continue to react to situations when problems arise. In the end its society and individuals who have to take responsibility to make changes and take ownership rather then hand problems or blame someone else. A holistic review is likely required across all fronts and all people from accused to parents through all channels where they end up for better end results. I also suspect a medical hormone assessment should have been performed for health reasons and as part of the over all plan.
For those who believe Ashley was a difficult challenge and ultimately responsible for her own death, please watch the video again and pay attention as she gasps for air. Remember that this is a mentally disturbed person who happens to be an inmate, therefore she is in a psychiatric institution. And finally, think about this...even if those guards were asked not to enter the cell until she passed out, who, in their right mind and with any ounce of empathy, would not break that order and enter that cell and save the girl? Who would not questions their superiors and this type of protocol, who would not have reported that this girl was not receiving any type of psychiatric treatment? In my eyes, only people who have been habitually desensitized, are no longer looking at the inmates as human beings, and who will sit around complaining that they aren't trained for this type of work and it's not their job...those are the types of people who could watch Ashley Smith die in front of them. Everyone who has come in contact with Ashley's case and not reported the mistreatment or questioned her treatment should be fired. Those people are no longer capable of making sound judgments regarding the welfare of inmates let alone those with mental issues. Perhaps those working in correctional institutions should be required to take mental health therapy and tests themselves every year to ensure they are of sound mind when being asked to watch over those that are not.
I just read through Ashley's complete "Timeline". On March 9, 2003 Ashley was given a diagnosis of ADHD, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Narcissistic Traits, and a learning disorder.
This could have been a turning point in her life, unfortunately, BPD in combination with the other illnesses is very hard to treat, without the cooperation of the patient.
I have BPD in conjunction with other disorders, and was in therapy for 20 years before being discharged as "recovered".
BPD in and of itself, is a horrible illness, where one's worst nightmare is being abandoned...the frantic attempts to avoid abandonment actually encourage abandonment.
To me, Ashley becomes clearly suicidal, while she is perceived by others as wanting attention. That is a very common misconception, and the suicide rate for BPD patients is high.
If the suicidal ideation is not dealt with (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy might have helped) the BPD may very well keep trying, even numerous times a day, until they are successful.
Rest in peace, Ashley.....you deserve it. xo
Both myself and a friend, who is in corrections, saw the original broadcast about Ashley Smith. Though neither of us are 'degreed' psychologists, it WAS AND IS clearly evident to us that this young lady had mental health issues, was improperly diagnosed and incarcerated, where it is evident she required housing in a psychiatric facility to receive professional help to uncover and get appropriate treatment for her issues. Just who is monitoring the "professionals" e.g. psychologists, who are on board with corrections to give an accurate assessment of a persons mental health? Ashley Smith appeared to have a more child-like persona and lacked the advanced intellect to understand her situation. Clearly she had behavioural issues that were inappropriate for her age and she suffered needlessly had ANYONE in her sphere had the understanding of mental health issues and children. This is a disgraceful system tantamount to torture. I am grateful to the professional journalists at the Fifth Estate for opening the doors to a much needed review of the internal construct of youth custody centres, the conduct of staff, and the inherent LACK of sound psychiatric practices taking place.
Watching this made me physically ill.
There seems to be a common vein in all the comments that I have read so far. Anger, and Grief. These are very common elements connected with mental health and treatment. Corrections Canada is not flawless, and while we have now seen the demise of one human being, intelligence tells us there are more. As Canadians we need to take responsibility for victims in our society, in any disabled population that falls under the radar. Thank you for the broadcast. To watch the video brings the viewer so much closer to the situation and I am surprised that we were even privy. Hearing the guard admit it had been 11 years since she had CPR training was astonishing. Honestly I wonder why? Funding for care of disabled populations has not been a high political platform ever. Education, healthcare, and taxes for the general population and all those issues always take president. How different would history and the future be if we concentrated energy and money on those who cannot do or defend for themselves? Visually both women appeared slimmer in the beginning, and almost obese near the end. A certain sign that whatever treatment they had caused weight gain. Medication is a common cause of that and no physical way to work it off. The guards are not trained in social work, they are trained in social order, and restraint. Canadians need to realize our funding cuts are the culprit. Keep broadcasting and making it make the news! Educating the public is the only way to change public opinion and politics!
I think this story was so necessary. ANY death or mistreating in ANY institution is uncalled for and should be stopped. The question that was overlooked, however, was WHY this is happening in our system. Unfortunatley the guards we're made to look like they were in the wrong, too rough, too cruel. I agree that their behaviour was not what we'd consider acceptable when "helping" a mental patient. But what else where they to do? It seems they had no other choice. There was no plan in place as to how Ashley was going to be helped, they are not trained to hande mental patients, that is the job of the doctors that are in the system, however, there seemed to be a HUGE lack of Dr.'s and proper treatment and therapy. It seems to me, with the way Ashley was acting, it was all the guards could do to wait for her to kill herself. No one else was there to help her and all the guards are there to do is try to control her. Is it really their job to watch her when she is suicidal? Is it there job, when she has attempted to take her life so many times,to ressesitate her when she passes out? They are NOT trained medical staff, they are NOT trained in how to deal with these people. They are guards, trained to keep the peace...which with what they are given, tried to to do. This story needs to be revisited and ALL sides of the story needs to be looked at and it needs to be determined where the breakdown is occuring and focus on that...it's not just one peron, one group to blame.
i believe perhaps no one person(s) is to totally blame for miss. smith's death...many, many factors that contributed to this horrible tragedy. miss. smith's defiance and mental state did NOT warrant death, but that being said...i believe she pushed the corrections staff to their brink. do not forget these people (corrections officer's) are human as well...their job is not a easy one. perhaps corrections canada should train the staff to be prepared to handle such cases as miss. smith...moreover, our gov't should take the steps necessary to ensure that indivduals with mental issues get the treatment needed outside, instead of prison walls.
Agreed. The delivery of this story was poorly done - soft piano music accompanying footage of Ashley/inmates contrasts the spooky sound effects accompanying the footage of the officers - light background/colors for the interviews with nurses, etc. contrasts the dark backgrounds/closed curtains of the officers/union reps.
It is very sad that not only our Canadian Correctional Systems, Probation Systems but also our Educational Aystems are not equipped to help, but also not able to recognize, our youth who have mental health issues.
It is unfortunate that this tradegy occured for Ashley. Her death shows the world that our Canadian Systems that were designed to help people are not competent enough to help or deal with people who have mental health issues. Her death is one in which was not in vain but one in which provides to the world our systems are at failure!
My prayers are with the family of Ashley and for her soul!
The things found in "Behind the Wall" were not the least bit surprising to me. Having worked in an institution in the past I have seen some things that I didn't think even existed anymore.
As Canadian citizens we need to know what is going on in our institutions around the country. We should be aware that the government is continuing to remove more and more funding for mental health and that because of this more and more people are not getting the support that they require.
It's horrible that a young woman had to die for these atrocities to be seen, but now that we know we need to fight to protect those still in the system.
As a CSC employee, I am disgusted with this report. Corrections is a vastly complex system that requires years to learn the in's and out's so to speak. We deal with the worst society has to offer everyday and 99.9% of all corrections staff are trained professionals who take this job very seriously and are extremely proud of what we do. This is a particularly disturbing case to me. I cannot and will not speak to individual officers and managers decisions, but I can tell you that these decisions are not taken lightly. While I will agree that mental illness is rampant in both the provincial and federal systems, I would disagree with the view that little is being done to help and treat these people. On the contrary, these people are afforded and given the CHOICE to seek help from psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral technologists and therapists. More often then not they refuse treatment, so I would ask, what would you have us do? It is very easy to snipe from the sidelines, knowing nothing about what our jobs are like day to day. Every institution across the country are open and accountable to the public, call them and set up a tour, they will be more than happy to accommodate your request. I personally would more than welcome a tour of CBC officials to my institution, and if interested the CBC can contact me at the email address I provided.
Then give up your Canadian Citzenship and immigrate to a Country where you will be happier and be more patriotic.
Very disappointing from The Fifth. So one-sided. The holes in this report are too many to ignore. First of all, NO FIRST TIME OFFENDER can end up in a federal prison service by simply throwing crab-apples at a postman. A one month sentence? I'm assuming the frequent staff assaults you failed to address is what lead to her being moved to a higher security, federal centre. There is no mention at all of Ashley's behavoral history and family past. So you now blame the the corrections service for her problems? Ashley's mother seems to be quite involved now, giving support and attention perhaps Ashley needed while she was determined to kill herself. Why are we always content to make those people who work in high-risk occupations keeping public safety the villain?
Thank you Michael,that is exactly how it is! I am surprized at the people who side with the guards even after seeing the videos.
how dare our canadian system hide such atrocities. god bless you ashley smith and any other children who are suffering at the hands of these animals. a compASIONATE MOTHER. well done hanah
i am saddened to say i was appalled but not shocked. All marginilized people are abused in some way.What a horrible way to die for anyone. That it was state sanctioned adds a level of outrage to me. The people who would not speak up for fear of losing their jobs made me sick. How did they sleep at night. Suffering demands a voice,a wittness, and that means giving up the right to be a bystander.
Peggyanne Mansfield
One of the reasons things don't change is the silence about the violence.
I too am disgusted to be a Canadian. All those guards present, watching her die should, should face charges.
This is so disturbing. Are there any petitions regarding this, that we can sign and send to the politicians?
Yeah, you're right...those poor guards that had to deal with those "mentally unstable INMATES." No wonder they watched her die, huh? Thank God it didn't happened to any of our children. And that's precisely what's wrong with the world! BTW, I don't doubt that Hana tried to get interviews with those guards who disgraced the profession, but they likely did not want to step forward. Usually that's a great indication that a person has something to hide.
As a mental health counselor, I find it unfathomable that NO ACTUAL TREATMENT PLAN exists for mentally ill individuals in our penal system beyond restraint, medication and isolation.
In the majority of these cases, it is clear that the current practices greatly exacerbate mental illness, as it seems occurred in the tragic case of Ashley Smith, leading her to the point of her taking her own life in desperation.
I do not comprehend how the authorities responsible for overseeing the guards who engage in unlawful assault and ILLEGAL treatment of inmates are not themselves brought up on charges for these offenses. This is completely unacceptable in a lawful society. EVERY INDIVIDUAL who explicitly or implicitly engages in or condones such behaviour should be pursued to the full extent of the law.
Bravo Fifth Estate,This poor innocent CHILD did not deserve this disqusting treatment and it is my hope now that this has been made public that these attrosoties will stop..God Bless you Ashley Smith and all who are mistreated by these animals.
I agree with you on every level.This country is lost. Cruel selfish coldhearted.
i watched the show on ashly smith iam sickend by the way the correctional is i no people who work in there .and heard of things that happen in there .but to see the guard watch ashly die and do noyhing about it makes me wonder the sytem failed ,and the guards should be repormemed for the action on not stoping the death of her .its sicking .i belive the fault is in the syteme failed .ashly and needs a overhauland retraing should been done asap
To say the least this was most disturbing. Obviously a system that is broken hopefully not beyond repair. Mr. Harper, hope you were watching. Do you sleep well at night? Would you sleep well if Ashley was your daughter? Wake up people and hold these politicians to account. Your tax dollars are not at work when we have prison systems in operation that abuses the ill, governs itself, is above statutory law, and is not accountable for its budget.
Bravo, I couldn't have said it better myself!!!!
It's people like you that are the problem in this country. The mental disorder comes before the crime and if Canada offered decent mental health care, chances are Ashley would never have been in the system to begin with. These people shouldn't be treated like prisoners but instead be placed in mental health wards where people, unlike you, can actually cope with the behaviour.
This is unreal. Who do these correction officer think they are. It looks like a torture chamber and why are they given the right to use chemical sprays on people in our own country and other countries it is treated like chemical warfare. Get rid of the guards or get higher educated guards that are up on their first aid. These are people are children not POW's.
I think you need to understand what was Ashley did, or what her family and medical background were. It's all irrelevant because what this story is about is how Corrections Canada treats the people in its care. What happens there concerns us all, because Ashley's story could be yours, could be mine ... it could be anyone's who ends up in the system. What you How inmates/patients are treated while there is matters the most!!!!
I'm not going to comment on the video because I agree with most of the comments here. But I'll reply to the comment below by Angie Flagg which reflects EXACTLY a large part of the problem with CSC and corrections: the erroneous belief that nurses are unreliable and not trustworthy when it comes to inmates. Nurses have a tough job in corrections because they're expected to provide care all the while serving as "security" agents.
Most people don't realise how difficult it is to bring those two roles together and how, because of it, many nurses get victimised and bullied by corrections who think, like Angie Flagg here, that nurses cannot be trusted around inmates. Nurses know EXACTLY what they have to do - and they know how to do it. They're perceived as a threat because they have a very different point of view - but they should have a different point of view. They're educated to provide skilled and ethical care, not punishment, to inmates. But for some reason, corrections officers and managers (and probably Angie) think that care equals free for all and should be kept to a strict minimum. if not eliminated entirely. A lot of health problems occur in prisons because nurses are not allowed to do their jobs.
I'm sick and tired of uneducated people making assumptions about nurses' competence or trustworthiness. Nurses' point of view on what happens to inmates is unique and Hana was absolutely right to interview them because they know what goes on in corrections and ethically they are compelled to speak up.
Angie Flagg, although I agree with you that corrections officers could have been included in the report, this does not entail dissing nurses and assuming that they are unreliable. Your comment about nurses is UNACCEPTABLE and it is a wider reflection of how nurses are treated in general. And it is EXACTLY the kind of crap statement that nurses in corrections are confronted to on a daily basis from corrections officers and from administration.
I have been a psychiatric nurse for over 16 years, and while I am shocked and saddened by the death of this young girl, I am also shocked at the lack of investigation in this report. For instance, chemical restraint is only ever used against a patient's will if they have been deemed to be at risk of harming themselves or others. It is completely legal and is less restrictive than mechanical restraints, not to mention more humaine. I have also never condoned any abuse or maltreatment of any patients under my care and would put a stop to if I were to ever see it happen. However, you fail to take into account that the staff in these facilities are also someones daughters or sons and they also have the right to not be assaulted or abused, regardless of the mental state of the person throwing the punch. I get very tired of the attitude that it's my job and I should accept that this might happen. We often have to deal with extremely violent patients, and while I understand that it is often their illness that is causing them to be violent, it doesn't make the punches or kicks hurt any less. We need more resources to make it safer for both the patients and the staff.The system is definitely lacking, however, so is this report.
You know what really makes me angry is the fact that a young disturbed women was treated like an animal and left to die and yet other high profile inmates that took innocent lives, were and are given special privledges like they are royalty, lets get real and clean this disfunctional mess up now.
I thought Ontario was the only province that mistreated their mentally ill. It sounds like the National system is also unaccountable for their lack of proper treatment for these special souls.
Dear Ms. Gartne, I was also disturbed by the documentary. If you want to know about the different restraints that are used. Contact a medical supply company, such as B.C. Stevens, or Alberta Stevens etc. they are all accross Canada and they order for hospitals etc. they use a company called the "Human restraint company" Yes it's real. Unfortunatley, we have not evolved to the point where we train and deal with mental illness in a more humane way. Most of these people should have been fired, and pensions taken away, or perhaps locked up themselves, what makes them so different from Ashley? were they not abusive and not following procedure? I'm sure there job is difficult, but this is what they signed up for. If I was a patient I would rather be in a place like "One flew over the kookos nest" than a prison that Ashley was in. Where is the accountability? why was she not getting medical attention and someone trying to figure out what trigures her emotional outbrakes. Chances are she might have been abused as a child and never told her mother, or a chemical imbalance of some kind, but know one will ever know will they?
I'm just having the opportunity to watch this now. I'm further concerned by the comments here made by individuals who have alleged this is only one side of the story. Regardless, it does not in any way excuse the behaviour of a system that I've witnessed on this show. I think generally our society is so unaware of mental illness that ignorance for many is bliss. I also know there are many systems intended to help those very individuals, but are fraught with challenges and people whose behaviour is not a lot different. It's shameful! Wake up people, this issue isn't going away! Educate yourself on mental illness and then you have the right to comment. Thank you for exposing this very important challenge our society is facing.
Someone like Ashley needs to be surrounded by love and light at ALL times if she was ever going to find that within herself. I have no doubt special people in her life tried to show her, but where is the love and light in solitary confinement and barren cells? How does one learn to love themselves and be done with the self-destructive behaviour when all they are shown again and again is how bad and shameful they are through solitary confinement, etc.?
I'm a "big bad federal correctional officer" and take offense to the one-sided slant of this report. People "outside the walls" have no idea of what cons are like, how manipulative they are and it sickens me that sympathy can be had for this "poor little girl". If any of you bleeding hearts had to deal with someone who had 150 charges against her, had assaulted staff, thrown feces and urine on you - you'd change your views.
Where do I start... I think for anyone to comment correctly on this story you must be able to see that there is two sides to every story. What the CBC did was to give you one version of the tragic event but not the other. Jail is not pretty, nor are the crimes that some of these CRIMINALS commit. How about empathy for the guards you get spit on, feces and urine thrown at them daily by some one of “misunderstood people”. I am glad we have people that are willing to stand guard and watch these people so I don’t have to be looking over my shoulders to see if someone is going to stab me or sexual assault my children or worse. When will people wake up and realize that we have a lot of disturbed people walking amongst us and I am not talking about mentally ill, who think it as nothing to do unspeakable things to us all because we were at the wrong place and the wrong time. Jails are meant to be a place where criminals are sent in order to PROTECT society from further harm. We need to focus on victim’s rights instead of the criminal’s. I would welcome all you “bleeding hearts” out there who embrace the “ poor poor inmate was being mistreated again” routine to work a few days in a jail or better yet take a couple of inmates home with you for a few days. I am sure your children and your wallet are safe.
@ Angie Flagg
Hana didn't need to mumble a word. The video of Ashley dying in front of audience of correctional officers was enough.
As Canadians we must lobby our politicians regularily for psychiatric funding and training where ever we see a need. Constantly. regularily, never quit!
are u kidding me,did you not just see the same show i did??????this is sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!poor girl!
Can CBC give us readers a contact to address this unacceptable behaviour of assisted suicide within a psychiatric ward. Do we write to a government official? Who and where? Something needs to be done now! Move aside the bleeding hearts, the too tough wardens and guards. This poor girl only needs a hug. The only side of this story positive, and this needs to happen, is it uncovers the horrors behind the wall, and may help stop the next Ashley Smith from dying. This makes my heart sick. There was a guard who said she hadnt had CPR training in 11 years. OMG are you kidding me? They watched her die for a half an hour.! A defensless child. Screaming to be talked to, to sit at a coffee shop again, to read a book, to have a good nights sleep, to be free from a cell I wouldnt put an animal in. Im sick. 30 days to 4 years and finally her death. The government should with one stroke of the brush, fire every one of these people and start anew. End of story. This poor child could be your own daughter and I cannot believe this happened in Canada. Lets get some people in these prison walls that have compassion. A lot of compassion. Guards that keep quiet about abuse such as this, are as guilty as the rest of them. Good for all that come forward.
I would strongly disagree with your perception that police and correctional guards are not trained to deal with mental health issues. Although it is not their specialty, police and correctional officers deal with mental health issues everyday and the vast majority of these people try their best to protect the rest of society while trying to remain empathetic and humane. Don't paint all persons in authority with the same brush - they are mostly good people doing a very difficult job.
This story shocks me, it frightens me and it concerns me. Having watched the above video, and read other articles on this... issue... I am almost to disturbed to know what to say. I can only say it should not have happened.
There are however two more basic concerns that arise from the video footage that I feel more able to give voice to.
1. Video footage shows it takes 30 minutes for guards to arrive on scene when the guard watching the monitors alerted them to go to Ashleys cell. 30 minutes? I live 15-20 minutes outside town... and it takes less than 15 minutes for EMS to arrive at my house when called. What were those guards doing for 30 minutes?
2. Video footage displays a guard saying she had not taken CPR training in 11 years... Despite being distraced by the deeply unfortunate and disturbing event being witnessed... I have to wonder. Annual CPR training is reccomended. Standard First Aid certification must be renewed triannually. And these are government guards. Training and certification in those life saving skill should be current.
Deeply concerned about the lack of accountability overall.
I believe with all my heart and soul that the guards etc rely on the fact that these so called mental patients will never be believed, if their story is told. I myself was sent to a place in BC to be evaluated, was pregnant at the time and can recall such horrible conditions like it was yesterday. But it was 15 years ago. I often think of those left in that horrible place and yes I do pray for them. I myself can never forget that place and hope to god the system changes and people are treated with dignity. This is Canada!