The Ministry of Children and Family Development in British Columbia has come under fire from the provincial ombudsperson, Jay Chalke, for failing to take meaningful action to reduce the practice of isolating youth in custody. Despite a 2021 report issued by the ombudsperson’s office that called for the limitation and abolition of prolonged solitary confinement for young people, the ministry has made minimal progress in implementing the report’s recommendations.
In an update to the 2021 report, Chalke expressed deep concern over the lack of progress on the report’s 26 recommendations, emphasizing that in many cases, the ministry is moving backwards rather than making improvements. He highlighted that vulnerable youth in provincial custody continue to be isolated from others in care for concerning periods, exposing them to significant harm, particularly Indigenous youth, who are disproportionately represented in custody.
“To say I am disappointed is an understatement,” stated Chalke in a press release. He emphasized the need for the ministry to account for its delay in effectively implementing the recommendations to ensure more humane treatment of youth awaiting trial or serving sentences in custody.
In 2021, the ministry acknowledged the need for a longer implementation period for the recommendations outlined in the report. However, Chalke criticized the ministry’s actions, stating, “They have so neglected this issue that they’ve been unable to meet even their slower pace of implementation. This should embarrass them.”
