“NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. INDEED, IT’S THE ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS.”
Margaret Mead (1901-1978)
Last May 11, we sent an Access to Information request to Public Safety Canada, asking for a copy of the review of Bill C-83. C-83 eliminated solitary confinement (in all its forms) and established Structured Intervention Units (SIUs) which would provide improved services for inmates needing separation. Under this law, a “rigorous review” was to begin by the start of the fifth year after it came into force, and the review was to be submitted within one year of that date.
Referencing the July 29 post “Yes, Minister…..you are breaking the law,” that review which “must be undertaken” by November 30, 2023, and then be submitted one year later, has not surfaced. The response to that May 11 information request told us that “after a thorough search, no information related to your request exists within Public Service Canada.”
As we noted on July 29, legal experts questioned whether the reforms in C-83 would satisfy the Charter rights that were violated under the old law. That’s why the review requirement was added to the Bill. We copied our brusque letter to Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, in that posting, asking him to meet the requirement.
There’s been no answer. We wrote again, and copies went to Ivan Zinger and Kim Pate.
December 23, 2025
The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Re: Where is the Bill C-83 review?
Dear Minister Anandasangaree:
Please refer to our July 29, 2025, letter, copy attached.
You are required by law to review Bill C-83, and your ministry has been in violation of Section 40.1 (1) & (2) of the Bill for the last two years.
Please advise when this review will be available.
A frustrated citizen,
Charles H. Klassen
cc: Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator
Senator Kim Pate
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Evan Solomon, Liberal MP for Toronto Centre, publishes an “Out & About” mailer for his constituents. His November issue lauded the merits of the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act.
December 18, 2025
Evan Solomon, MP,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Dear MP Solomon:
“Canada’s new government is introducing sweeping reforms to make bail laws stricter and sentencing laws tougher for repeat and violent offenders, to support the front lines, and to invest in long-term prevention.”
I am a federal prison industry specialist with decades of unmasking what we call our “correctional” system. I am familiar too with the practices in Ontario’s provincial jails. The above extract from your recent mailing condenses what is a strictly political move to lull the uninformed into believing this government action will reduce crime and make communities safe. You may believe this yourself.
Reforms like this will engage the time of many lawyers, courts, and judges for one. Reverse onus laws are a great target. Reforms like this will not substantially impact crime rates for another. Conditions in provincial jails supports civil servant lawlessness while the unofficial motto of our federal system is “we don’t care.”
You want reform? Begin with understanding that what we do once we have an offender locked up says a lot about what we can expect once that offender is released back into the community. Speak with people like Senator Kim Pate about our prison industry’s failures. Speak with inmates who want help but can’t get it.
You want reform? Begin with supporting neighbourhoods. That’s where criminality has its roots. Begin by championing vulnerable kids who slide onto that slippery slope into wrongdoing. Begin where it all starts.
Stop playing politics with people’s lives.
Charles H. Klassen
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Health Services in Correctional Service of Canada introduced Sublocade as a response to opioid use disorder (OUD), replacing Suboxone. However, this is another maintenance medication like suboxone and methadone, and without the recommended counseling and psychosocial element, leaves addicted offenders vulnerable to reoffend upon release. No matter what CSC policy says, and it does trumpet its “treatment teams” to provide that support, those teams are generally elusive bodies to most in-need inmates.
December 29, 2025
Marie Doyle,
Assistant Commissioner, Health Services,
Correctional Service of Canada,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0P9
Re: Sublocade
Dear Assistant Commissioner Doyle:
Sublocade has recently replaced Suboxone, or is in the process of replacing Suboxone, as a treatment for OUD in CSC facilities across Canada. Assuming the medication’s side effects are well-tolerated, the switch to a once-monthly injection is convenient, lessens the risk of missed doses, and most importantly, eliminates the misuse that is a property of both Suboxone and Methadone in the prison environment. It’s a good move.
However, CSC has not read the Sublocade directions, just as it hasn’t with Suboxone and Methadone, even though the prescription for the latter two medications is a part of CSC policy.
All three are maintenance medications and are only a part of a complete treatment plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support. CSC facilities don’t provide the counseling and psychosocial support that are essential components for a potential OUD recovery. And that despite policy. The “treatment teams” that CSC heralds as the curative factor of the process may exist on paper, but inmates don’t see them. To suggest otherwise is simply the politics that CSC NHQ must support as an agency of the federal government.
In the meantime, wait times for help in the community are long where available, leaving ex-offenders at high risk for recidivism. Is that a part of a plan?
Charles H. Klassen.
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Correctional Investigator Dr. Ivan Zinger has resigned his post two years early as Peter Zimonjic reported for a CBC posting on November 12: “Federal prison watchdog leaving post early over ‘frustrations with lack of prison reform.” Dr. Zinger’s judgements of Correctional Service of Canada are long overdue. This CBC post is a worthwhile read. It justifies the work of scores of individuals and dozens of organizations in opposition to federal prison industry practices and validates multiple court awards that cost taxpayers millions.
December 29, 2025
Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator,
Ottawa, ON K1P 6L4
Re: Congratulations
Dear Dr. Zinger:
“On October 30, the Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) was released. The OCI’s role is to ensure the fair and humane treatment of persons serving federal sentences. CSC welcomes this report and its recommendations.
Each year, this report gives us the opportunity to work together to review and enhance the work we do in corrections. It provides independent, impartial, and timely investigations into complaints and concerns in the federal correctional system.”
This is from Anne Kelly’s November 3rd “update for offenders and their families.” You may have read it. Seasoned observers know Commissioner Kelly is addressing her political masters and the unknowing public. Most inmates and families are offended by her bids for familiarity.
I’ve read the OCI Annual Reports for years along with the added targeted reviews. In my opinion, CSC sees these as an intrusion and a nuisance, certainly not as an “opportunity to work together.” I’ve wondered how you and your predecessor, Howard Sapers, maintained your composures rather than screaming from the rooftops.
As a long-time advocate/agitator, I’m so encouraged that you spoke up in November. I regret you’ve resigned but do understand why you couldn’t stay. One hopes your successor will model themselves on the work you’ve done.
I wish you the best of good fortune as you move on and hope you will occasionally comment on conditions in our federal prison industry.
Charles H. Klassen
cc Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety
Evan Solomon, MP, Toronto Centre
Anne Kelly, Commissioner, CSC
Honourable Kim Pate, Senator
“You can’t do nothing when you can do something”
Joyce Milgaard
turnoverarocktoday 