'Outrageous' and 'deplorable' conditions at HMP need to be addressed immediately, say advocates

Hanging on the entrance of Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's are two Christmas wreaths made of wood and a large sign with the words "Merry Christmas"painted across it, all adorned with tiny light bulbs.

Standing outside the prison's entrance, Cindy Murphy, the executive director of the John Howard Society, paints a different picture of what things look like inside the jail.

The prison is filled with rodents, mould and dirt, she says its physical infrastructure is deteriorating, and it's overcrowded and understaffed. Overall, the jail's conditions arenothing short of atrocious,she said.

"I do a bit of travelling with John Howard and I hear regularly from other parts of the country about the deplorable conditions at Her Majesty's Penitentiary," said Murphy.

"It's outrageous, it's unconscionable, and there seems to be no end in sight."

Murphy is speaking out just days after inmate Seamus Flynn, 35, died after being transported from the prison to the hospital. The cause of death has not been confirmed.

WATCH | Hear why lawyers and advocates say conditions at Her Majesty's Penitentiary are deplorable:

Lawyers, advocates urging government to do something about outrageous and deplorable prison conditions

9 months ago

Duration 2:19

Days after the death of 35-year-old inmate Seamus Flynn, lawyers and advocates are pleading with the Newfoundland and Labrador government to address what they say are outrageous and deplorable conditions inside Her Majestys Penitentiary in St. Johns.

Flynn is the second inmate to die in four months, and there's been a concerning lack of details about both deaths, says Murphy.

What is clear, she says, is that ongoing health and safety concerns are putting inmates at risk, and it's time for the provincial government to act.

"There's such a sense of hopelessness within the prison," said Murphy.

"How do you instil hope in people and, you know, encourage them to change and to do something different when they're released, when there's no hope?"

Sickness, lack of medical attention

Inmates in Her Majesty's Penitentiary are demanding an investigation into Flynn's death, with some inmates saying there's an influenza-like illness spreading throughout the jail.

St. John's criminal defence lawyer Erin Breen says she has two clients,whom she speaks with regularly,living in the prison.

She says theytellher many people are sickandit's challenging to receive timely medical care.

For instance, she says, one of her clientshad a tooth infection for two weeksbut his requests for medical attention weren't being addressed. She says the client had to "physically flip out"before he received proper medical attention and antibiotics.

"I think everyone worries on a daily basis when this place is going to implode," said Breen. "This is outrageous. People are suffering, there's neglect, and it's got to end."

In an emailed statement to CBC News, Justice Department spokesperson Jeremy Reynolds said ensuring a healthy and safe environment in correctional facilities is "a top priority," and that a team of health-care professionals "strives" to deliver "timely access to care."

The government promised to replace the prison in 2019, scheduled to be completed in 2022. The department saidthe provincial government "remains committed to replacing HMP."

That could cost around $325 million, according to an access-to-information request in March 2022. The estimated cost of the replacement in 2019 was $200 million.

• In wake of latest HMP death, PC MHA accuses Justice Department of lack of leadership

Murphy and Breen say issues like overcrowding and understaffing need to be addressed immediately. Until then, they both say they fear for the safety of those living inside the walls of Her Majesty's Penitentiary.

"Everyone feels that this is a crisis that needs action today," said Breen. "It needed it 20 years ago, but right now, something's got to give."

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