Louise Henry, an ex-convict, filed a class action lawsuit against the Quebec government Thursday in court over what she believes to be inhumane treatment at Leclerc prison in Laval, including strip searches.
Posted at 12:05 p.m
This request to the courts comes after public complaints by the Québec Ombudsman and concerned organizations about the conditions in this women’s prison.
The class action lawsuit targets all women detained at Leclerc Detention Center in Laval since September 6, 2019.
“All women detained in Leclerc are victims of violations of their fundamental rights,” it reads. In particular, all are victims of the systematic use of abusive strip searches.
Similarly, it is claimed that “the institutional neglect at Leclerc is creating systemic problems in access to healthcare, particularly medications, feminine hygiene products and healthcare professionals”.
The plaintiff contends that the conduct complained of constitutes civil misconduct that caused serious harm.
“These unacceptable practices, combined with the inadequacy of the premises for women and the unsanitary and derelict condition of the facility, make incarceration at Leclerc cruel and unusual treatment for any woman incarcerated there,” in violation of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
Ms Henry was imprisoned twice at the Leclerc Institution between 2017 and 2020. She says her incarceration in this prison has left a deep mark on her. Since her release, she has campaigned for respect for the fundamental rights of women imprisoned in Leclerc, notably signing a book on the subject.
The Québec Ombudsman is long on the record
In May 2021, the Quebec Ombudsman wrote that it had received a complaint that a person detained at the Leclerc institution had been strip searched 24 times in just four days.
Following the investigation, the Quebec Ombudsman learned that the individual was suspected of hiding contraband and had been placed in precautionary isolation as required by the procedure. “Employees conduct a strip search but cannot locate the item in question,” the agency’s report said.
“The isolation of the detainees lasts several days. During this time, staff conduct further strip searches, sometimes overnight. In total, the detainee was searched 24 times in four days. »
As a result, the Québec Ombudsman received an internal document from the Leclerc facility regarding inmates suspected of hiding prohibited items. According to the document, “targets should be subjected to a systematic strip search every four hours. In addition, the staff might ask them to do squats. They then had to remain in this position for 10 seconds.”
“The internal document pointed to abusive practices that undermine the dignity of the detainees,” the Quebec Ombudsman said.
After several interventions on his part, “the establishment agreed to amend the document,” the Québec Ombudsman wrote in 2021. From now on, it is envisaged that strip searches must be conducted in a manner that respects human dignity. They must not be abusive or practiced without good reason. »