It seemed like a precious rare gem - a political promise fulfilled - until it was revealed to be that much more common trinket, a political half-measure, occluded by hedging.
In 2010, the opposition Liberals promised to reverse the Harper government’s unpopular decision to close Canada’s six prison farms. It took another five years to get elected. But the new government began thoughtfully moving forward on the promise.
The recent federal budget announced $4.3 million over five years to restore Kingston-area penitentiary farms at Joyceville and Collins Bay.
Last year the government established a citizens’ advisory panel. Members included protesters who had fought to save the prison farms, culminating in a peaceful blockade to stop the removal of a century-old prize herd of dairy cattle from Frontenac penitentiary (now part of Collins Bay). Protesters once hauled out of the street were now sought for their advice.
Canada’s prison farm system earned widespread respect as a model for rehabilitation. The therapeutic effect of working closely with animals was just one benefit of the “miracle farm.” Inmates developed critical skills such as teamwork and learning to ask for help. And they supplied federal penitentiary kitchens with nearly $2 million in food each year.
Former public safety minister Vic Toews argued farm work didn’t equip prisoners with relevant trade skills. That never sat well with panel appointee Dianne Dowling, an organic dairy farmer and head of Save Our Prison Farms.
“Whether they get a job in farming upon release or not, it has so many job training benefits,” she said last year.
Ultimately Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale was presented with three options, Dowling says, noting the panel’s preferred approach was a mix of crops and livestock managed by CORCAN, the training arm of Correctional Service Canada.
The panel recommended starting with about 60 head of dairy cattle at Collins Bay, along with a small-scale cheese-making facility, both diversifying training opportunities and stocking prison kitchens. They recommended introducing goats at Joyceville once the cows were established.
Other suggestions included orchards, beekeeping and alternative energy projects.
“We were asked to maximize the work opportunities that would be available for inmates,” Dowling said. “Plus there were 1,500 acres to farm.”
Panel members were caught off guard when details emerged for a goat milk farm at Joyceville, with no mention of dairy cows.
When the former government sold off its cattle, protesters formed the Pen Farm Herd Co-op to buy as many cows as they could. For eight years, farmers have tended the cows, welcoming new calves and losing others, but keeping the prizewinning lineage intact for the day Canada’s prison farms would reopen.
“Bringing the cows home was such a centrepiece of people’s connection to the campaign,” Dowling says. “Restoring the prison farm without the cows is just a big shock.”
A spokesperson for Goodale responded: “We’re starting with goats and horticulture because it’s the best way to get the farms up and running. As these programs develop and build a successful record, that experience will inform future correctional programming.”
The panel expects to learn more about the considerations behind the minister’s decision. Dowling points to a looming demand for both cow and goat milk from an upcoming Chinese-owned infant formula factory in Kingston.
“There may be logistics we’re not aware of,” she adds, noting Save Our Prison Farms is urging members to contact their MP in support of restoring the dairy herd.
Reopening the prison farms is a progressive step forward. But the therapeutic benefits and broad base of expertise with cattle are known quantities. And they’re right there, waiting.
Robin Baranyai
London Free Press
Mar 16, 2018