Macneil House
May 9, 2008
A JUDGE HAS CLEARED THE WAY FOR CORRECTIONS CANADA TO MOVE FOUR CONVICTED KILLERS OUT OF THE ISABEL MCNEILL HOUSE IN KINGSTON... AND THEN TO CLOSE THE FACILITY. THIS STATELY-LOOKING HOUSE IS ACTUALLY THE COUNTRY'S ONLY "MINIMUM" SECURITY PRISON FOR WOMEN. CORRECTIONS CANADA WANTS TO CLOSE THE LIMESTONE RESIDENTIAL PRISON BECAUSE IT'S COSTLY TO MAINTAIN. THE FOUR INMATES WENT TO COURT SEEKING AN INJUNCTION TO STOP THE CLOSURE AND TRANSFER. BUT JUSTICE ROBERT SCOTT REJECTED THEIR ARGUMENTS -- SAYING THE WOMEN'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS WOULD NOT BE VIOLATED IF THEY WERE MOVED TO REGIONAL PRISONS FOR WOMEN, LIKE THE ONE IN KITCHENER. JANINE CHOWN: "AT THIS POINT CSC WILL ENGAGE IN CONSULTATION WITH ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AFFECTED INCLUDING STAFF AND OFFENDERS. BUT CSC IS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE COURT DECISION AS IT REINFORCES OUR POLICY THAT MULTI LEVEL FACILITIES ARE BEST EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH OUR FEDERAL OFFENDERS."
A LAWYER REPRESENTING THE FOUR FEMALE INMATES HAS INDICATED THE DECISION WILL BE APPEALED. QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY HAS ALREADY MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO BUY "ISABEL MCNEILL" HOUSE FROM CORRECTIONS CANADA.... FOR EDUCATIONAL USES.
