Pubdate: Wed, 09 Aug 2006 Source: Daily Herald-Tribune, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2006 The Daily Herald-Tribune Contact: http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/804 CRIME AND PUNISHMENT? Your Tax Dollars Are Going To Pay Claims To Inmates Are you an avid tax crusader, one who scrutinizes carefully the way in which your tax dollars are being spent and you are not afraid to be vocal in protest when you see your hard-earned money go towards public causes that you don't particularly support? And are you tough on crime, feeling that our justice system is far too lenient and that convicted felons in this country are mollycoddled rather than getting their just desserts? If you answered yes to both of those precursors, you're going to hate this: Canadian taxpayers have coughed up more than $1 million to cons in the last two years to settle lawsuits over intrusive drug searches, exposure to second-hand smoke, inadequate medical treatment and injuries suffered during brawls behind bars. Records show the Justice Department closed the book on 178 lawsuits in 2004, 2005 and the first six months of this year, resulting in payouts of $1.2 million to convicted criminals, according to a Sun Media report from Ottawa today. Many of the specific payments listed in summary reports of legal action against the Crown, obtained by Sun Media through access to information, were blacked out. Justice spokesman Christian Girouard said settlements made outside court orders are considered "private information." The documents show inmate Jason Pothier received an undisclosed settlement last year after suing for $25 million. Pothier said he deserved monetary compensation for loss of health because Correctional Service of Canada policy denied him methadone treatment for a heroin habit he developed in prison. Feeding his addiction with dirty needles led him to contract HIV and hepatitis C, and he said CSC acted negligently because his health care did not meet acceptable standards of care and therefore infringed his charter rights. Records also show Tracy Curry, doing time for second-degree murder, received $13,500 after suing an Ontario prison for conducting a body search after sniffer dogs detected drugs on her. Another inmate got $5,000 for exposure to second-hand smoke, while yet another reaped $732,000 after an inmate assault. Toronto lawyer Charles Roach said inmates have the right to safe and secure care while in custody. Many lawsuits come from sex offenders or child abusers who didn't have enough "protective custody" to prevent attacks from fellow inmates but others have claimed damages for discrimination based on sexual orientation or because religious dietary needs haven't been met, he said. Steve Sullivan, president of the Canadian Resource Center for Victims of Crime, called it "outrageous" that criminals have reaped financial windfalls at taxpayer expense while victims are left with a lifetime of grief. While the rights of all individuals must be protected in our society, we have to give our heads a collective shake on this one. Who said crime doesn't pay? - --- MAP posted-by: Derek