Atamanenko opposes closure of prison farms
By Contributor
MP Alex Atamanenko and federal New Democrats today condemned the arrest of peaceful protesters at Kingston Penitentiary in the wake of the Government’s planned closure of a local prison farm and the sale of its livestock.
“For the Government to be selling off prison farms at this time is disgraceful. This protest shows just how much the community cares about the issue.” said New Democrat Agriculture Critic Alex Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior) “These programs have received support from local police and municipalities as well as trade unions, farm groups and food security advocates. The Government is once again not listening to the advice of the experts before making decisions.”
Protesters gathered Monday morning at Frontenac Institution to express their anger at the closing of rehabilitative prison farms and specifically the transport of 300 cattle from the Frontenac farm to be sold at auction.
The Government has announced plans to close 6 on the country’s prison farms and sell off their livestock and farm equipment. New Democrats have previously called on Stephen Harper not to scrap this well established and successful program.
“The farm programs at prisons have been proven as an excellent tool in rehabilitation.” Said MP Malcolm Allen (Welland) “I have spoken to several people who count this program as putting them on the straight and narrow, allowing them to make a real difference in their community. For the Government to be scrapping these programs now is a real travesty.”
This article is a press release from Mr. Atamanenko’s office.
