(Halifax, September 21, 2022) – Nova Scotia’s confirmation that it will terminate its immigration detention contract with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is another win for migrant and refugee rights, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International Canada said today. The move follows a landmark decision by British Columbia on July 21 to terminate its own contract with the border agency.

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Mainstreet NS with Jeff Douglas Sept 19 2024

Jeff Douglas spoke with Sheila Wildeman, El Jones, and Laura Beach
The East Coast Prison Justice Society dropped its annual report Tuesday, September 17th. It is a composite based on the analysis of 800 phone calls with people incarcerated in this Province, between September 17, 2022 and August 31, 2023. It's findings also come in the wake of the deaths of six people in provincial custody.
To break down the report and what it mean, host Jeff Douglas spoke with three guests today. 

Halifax WAC & ECPJS Webinar Aug 8 2023

Prisons don't work - Prisoners do!
​The Halifax Workers' Action Centre and The East Coast Prison Justice Society present a webinar discussion about abolition, prisoners' rights and labour organizing. 

Global News Interview June 28 2021

"Halifax public safety advisor suggesting sobering centres to replace drunk tanks
​A new report about to be presented to Halifax council by the city’s public safety advisor suggests that sobering centres should be used for publicly intoxicated people, rather than jail cells."
OPINION:
After my brother’s death in prison, my family has lost faith in the system. But we still believe in justice.

Articles.

The East Coast Prison Justice Society's latest report highlights life within NS jails
​Sept 19 2024 | CBC Radio
New Report on Nova Scotia Jails Highlights Concerns Around Access to Healthcare and Indigenous Spiritual Supports
​Sept 19 2024 | AJRN
More than 70% of people in N.S. jails are waiting for their day in court: report
​Sept 17 2024 | CBC
Prisoner advocacy group calls on Nova Scotia to launch independent review of jails
​Sept 17 2024 | CTV
Prisoner advocacy group calls on Nova Scotia to launch independent review of jails
​Sept 17 2024 | Global News
Nova Scotia death review committees to investigate first 4 cases
​Oct 20 2023 | CBC
Nova Scotia 1st province to stop imprisoning migrants
​Aug 31 2023 | CBC
Inmates in Newfoundland jail say they feel hopeless, alone and increasingly unwell
​Aug 30 2023 | CTV
Inmates in Her Majesty's Penitentiary say they feel hopeless, alone and increasingly unwell
​Aug 30 2023 | CBC
Incarcerated workers face coercive, slave-like conditions
​Aug 16 2023 | Rabble.ca
Advocates call for Mi'kmaw-led inquiry into deaths in custody
​June 12 2023 | CBC
Call for Mi'kmaw-Led Fatality and Justice Reforms in the Wake of Tragic Deaths
​June 5 2023 | Path
Deaths of Indigenous people in Atlantic Canadian jails spark calls for review, change
​May 19 2023 | The Globe and Mail
Report outlines significant deprivations of liberty in provincial jails in Nova Scotia
​Mar 18 2023 | CTV News
N.S prisoners deprived of basic entitlements during pandemic: advocacy group
​Mar 14 2023 | SaltWire
New report on conditions inside provincial jails, pandemic effects
​Mar 2023 | CBC Radio Canada
INVESTIGATION: Solitary confinement used after jail riot
​Dec 29 2022 | Penticton Herald
Halifax council moves ahead with 3-year sobering centre pilot
​Nov 23 2022 | The Signal
RCMP hasn't admitted any fault, Nova Scotia public inquiry told on final day of hearings
​Sept 23 2022 | Toronto Star
Nova Scotia joins B.C. in refusing to hold immigration detainees in provincial jails
Sept 21 2022 | Toronto Star
Fed up with lockdowns, some Springhill prison inmates actively trying to get COVID-19​
May 28 2022 | CBC
Halifax police commission digging into breach charges
 May 17 2022 | CBC
Failed Opportunity: An Open Letter Addressing How the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners Missed the Mark on Public Engagement
 February 7 2022 | Halifax Examiner
A Path for Halifax to Defund the Police
​​January 24 2022 | CBC 
A made-in-Canada blueprint for defunding police
​January 19 2022 | Breach Media
Committee tasked with defining 'defunding police' presents report to Halifax police commission
​January 14 2022 | Halifax Examiner
Defunding report calls for better Halifax police oversight, ‘detasking,’ increased spending on affordable housing
​January 14 2022 | Halifax Examiner
Housing: party for a few, crisis for the rest - Halifax Examiner​
January 5 2022 | Halifax Examiner
Nova Scotia prison reform groups call for release of inmates as COVID-19 spreads – Halifax
January 2 2022 | Title Press
N.S. prison reform groups call for inmate releases as COVID-19 spreads
January 1 2022 | Global News
COVID-19 outbreak announced at Burnside jail, cases rise at women's prison
December 31 2021 | CBC
Nova Scotia reports COVID-19 outbreak at Burnside jail
December 31 2021 | Halifax Examiner
COVID-19 outbreak hits 31 inmates, several staff at provincial jail in Burnside
​December 31 2021 | Saltwire
N.S. jail attack: debate on whether sentences tied to 2019 beating will curb violence
December 23 2021 | SaskToday
N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 3 more deaths, 93 new cases
December 1 2021 | CBC
Halifax police board seeks second opinion on its authority to review response to homeless evictions protest
October 18 2021 | Halifax Examiner
Prison justice group hopes to tackle 'gaps' in provincial, federal prisons
October 17 2021 | CBC
Board to consider independent review of Halifax police's handling of Aug. 18 protest
October 16 2021 | Saltwire
Petition launched for independent investigation into Halifax police actions during shelter evictions
October 7 2021 | Global News
News brief: Push back against brute force police evictions continues
September 14 2021 | NS Advocate
Petition calls for a full investigation of police actions during the shelter siege
September 8 2021 | The Coast
Advocates Call for Action on Jails
July 21 2021 | The Chronicle Herald
Nova Scotia report highlights concerns of prisoner conditions in provincial jails
July 26 2021 | Global News
Prisoner rights group denounces frequent lockdowns, lack of time outside in N.S. jails
July 26 2021 | CBC
Nova Scotia is failing people with disabilities
July 23 2021 | The Chronicle Herald
East Coast Prison Justice Society calls for action in wake of N.S. jail video​
April 6 2021 | Saltwire
Prison justice advocacy group calls for protection against COVID-19 in N.S. jails
January 17 2021 | Global News
Halifax police want at least $40,000 to release five years of cells data through freedom of information
August 5 2020 | Halifax Examiner
New phone line helps monitor conditions in jails during COVID-19
May 29 2020 | Halifax Examiner
Nova Scotia jail population almost cut in half under COVID-19 measures
April 22 2020 | CBC
SHEILA WILDEMAN: COVID-19 and disability institutions: Time to act is now
April 15 2020 | Saltwire
Viruses feed on exclusion: Psychiatric detention and the need for preventative deinstitutionalization
April 12 2020 | Ricochet
Clearing out the jails
Mar 24 2020 | Halifax Examiner
Nova Scotia to grant temporary release to some inmates amid COVID-19 pandemic
March 18 2020 | CBC
Advocates call for temporary release of some inmates amid COVID-19 pandemic
​March 16 2020 | CBC News
A 'sobering centre' in Halifax could prevent alcohol-related deaths​
January 26 2020 | halifaxtoday.ca
Prison justice group hopes to tackle 'gaps' in provincial, federal prisons
​October 17 2017 | CBC News
New prison justice society established on East Coast
Nov 16 2017 | The Lawyers Daily
"Second day of virtual vigil in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones to prison deaths. Drawing by Michael D. poems by Tona Mills, both currently incarcerated #justiceforsoli #nomoredeathsincustody"
– Twitter @adelina_iftene
December 16 2019
Poem by Tona Mills
Picture
Drawing by Michael D
Poem by Tona Mills
We are thankful to the Mi'kmaq peoples, in whose territories we live and work. 
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