Prisoners’ Justice Day event honours those who have died behind bars

Event honours those who have died while incarcerated

HALIFAXtoday \  Stephen Wentzell

Roughly 100 people descended upon the Halifax Commons on Tuesday evening in an event to honour those who have died while incarcerated.

The Prisoners’ Justice Day event was organized by Books Beyond Bars, a local organization dedicated to improving access to books, writing, and literature for incarcerated women in Nova Scotia.

The memorial, vigil, and protest allowed supporters to remember the men and women who have died inside prisons.

“On this day every year, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people take the day to fast while prisoner justice advocates take the time to discuss the significance of the day and what the current prison system has done and is doing and ways we can help,” organizers wrote in a press release.

The annual event marks the anniversary of the death of prisoner Eddie Nalon, who, in 1974, bled to death in the segregation unit of Millhaven Maximum Security Prison in Ontario. The first anniversary of Nalon’s death was marked by a protest inside the prison, where prisoners went on a one-day hunger strike, refused to work, and held a memorial service in his honour.

This year’s demonstration sought to discuss the intersections between mental health and prison, the overpopulation of Black and Indigenous people in Canadian prisons, and share resources about prison abolition and reform.

The COVID-19 pandemic effectively resulted in the suspension of programming in prisons across the province and the country. In an effort to abide by public health restrictions, some prisoners were temporarily released from facilities, but have since returned. Books Beyond Bars, for example, are only now returning to regular programming at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside after more than 16 months.

The speakers list included representatives from the Mainline Distribution & Disposal Program, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Nova Scotia, the East Coast Prison Justice Society, the Coverdale Courtwork Society, NOISE Information and Transition Agency, the Seven Steps Society of Nova Scotia, and the North Pine Foundation.

3 Tonia Dawson, the mother of Ashley King, speaks about her daughter’s death.

Panelists describe their experiences in the justice system, and how they have healed from their pasts.

Among the attendees were Lily Barraclough, Green Party candidate for Halifax-Chebucto, who also serves as policy conveyor for the Greens. Barraclough, the only political candidate in attendance, says politicians need to better listen to those who have lived experience with the justice system.

“It’s crucial that we are providing livable conditions for those who are incarcerated,” Barraclough said, adding the province should ultimately take steps toward the abolition of prisons.

Panelists included Georgie Fagan, who has a yet-to-be-published book documenting his more than 25 years interacting with the justice system, and rap/hip-hop artist Corey Writes, who still fasts on this day every year in tribute to those still incarcerated.

One of the featured speakers was Tonia Dawson, whose daughter, Ashley King, passed away last month at the age of 25. Dawson documented her daughter’s battle with mental illness, and the ensuing experiences with the justice system that Dawson says led to King’s death.

After Dawson spoke, a candlelight vigil took place in honour of King’s memory.

“I hope by being here,” Dawson said, “we can somehow make a difference, to help others who are suffering through drug addiction, mental health and health issues, especially when they’re in prison.”