Prisoner advocate says overcrowding to blame for gang fight at Sask. prison

Lorraine Scott of the John Howard Society says overcrowding and cramped quarters for the inmates in Saskatchewan jails is to blame. The Correctional Service of Canada says at least 15 prisoners - some affiliated with gangs - were injured in a fight Wednesday night at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert.

Scott says inmates at the provincial jail in Saskatoon are sleeping in classrooms or the gym until they can be accommodated in the gang unit.

Maureen Lloyd with the province's department of corrections and public safety says additions to jails in Saskatoon and Regina are under construction.

Father Andre Poilievre, who is a prison counsellor in Saskatoon, warns the violence that happened in Prince Albert could also happen in Saskatoon.

Poilievre says rehabilitation for prisoners at the Saskatoon jail is suffering because of the overcrowding.

"There is no classroom. There is no library. All the books have been put in boxes. It's unreal what's happening out there in terms of programming for the guys who want it," Poilievre said.

Lloyd admits the overcrowding presents challenges, but provincial officials are finding alternative ways to deliver programs.

"(It) could include a teacher then going to units where inmates are housed, working with them, giving the assignments and so on," Lloyd said.

"But there is no doubt it's difficult to carry on that programming . . . when we are in a very crowded situation."