No more free tattoos for prison inmates

NEWS RELEASES

PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CANADA

CANADIAN TAXPAYERS FEDERATION

************************ Canada's new government ends tattoo program for convicted criminals OTTAWA, ONTARIO - (Dec. 4, 2006) - Today, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety announced that Canada's new government will not continue the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) one-year tattooing pilot program.

Under the previous government, CSC began a pilot project in six of its 58 federal correctional institutions in August of 2005 to offer inmates tattoos.

The cost of the one-year operation was approximately $600,000, plus prior start-up costs, which totalled approximately $350,000.

"Our government will not spend taxpayers' money on providing tattoos for convicted criminals," said Minister Day. "Our priority is to have an effective federal corrections system that protects Canadians, while providing inmates with access to acceptable health care and treatment programs."

Corrections Canada, in partnership with Health Canada and other outside organizations, continues to implement health and education programs to help reduce the transmission of infectious diseases within the correctional setting.

These health and education programs include immunization against Hepatitis A and B, voluntary screening for early detection and treatment of infection, and education to ensure inmates understand the risks associated with illicit tattoo practices.

Canada's new government wants to put taxpayers' money where it will count most - tackling crime and crime prevention.

Funding has already been announced to add 1,000 more Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) personnel to focus on such law enforcement priorities as tackling gun and drug smuggling and increasing border security.

The 2006 budget has also allocated $20 million over two years for youth crime prevention with a focus on guns, gangs and drugs.

Last budget also included $26 million over two years to give victims of crime a more effective voice in the federal corrections and justice system. ************************* Ending prisoner tattoo program the right move

Federation fought to end taxpayer-funded tattooing of inmates

Ottawa: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) reacted to Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day's announcement this morning that the Correctional Service of Canada's tattooing program for federal inmates has been terminated.

The CTF fought to end the waste of taxpayers' money on Ottawa's tattooing pilot program for prisoners - releasing its "Let's Talk Taxes" commentary on July 20, 2006: http://www.taxpayer.com/main/news.php?news_id=2337

The program cost the taxpayers of Canada $350,000 in start-up costs and another $600,000 in annual operating costs at six prisons.

The CTF estimates the annual cost to taxpayers to expand the program to all 58 federal correctional facilities at $5.8-million, plus $2.6-million in one-time startup costs.

"It just doesn't make sense that people who commit crimes, in some cases violent crimes, are treated to a buffet of free tattoos when sent to prison," says CTF federal director John Williamson. "This program is a prime example of goofy government spending and Minister Day did the right thing today by terminating it."

"The CTF was encouraged to note the Conservative government listened by ending the prisoner tattoo program," concluded Williamson. "We expect Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to follow Mr. Day's initiative and reduce spending elsewhere. In last month's fiscal update, Mr. Flaherty reported program spending is set to rise by 7.1 per cent this year, which is well above the Conservative's own target to keep spending below the economic growth rate. Government spending is already off target and this does not bode well for broad-based income tax relief."

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