From CFS to life of crime: Gerrard probes prison link | Manitoba ...

Phoenix Sinclair was abused and murdered at age five by her mother, Samantha Kematch and Kematch's boyfriend, Karl McKay, at their Fisher River First Nation home in June 2005, a few months after she was returned to Kematch's care and her CFS file closed. Her death went undiscovered for nine months. (HANDOUT)

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A report out of Manitoba?s prisons showing that many violent offenders were raised in Child and Family Services care could be yet another sign of mismanagement at the agency, says Manitoba Liberal leader Jon Gerrard.

?I?ve been concerned for some time about the management of Child and Family Services,? Gerrard says.

Then a report out of the Child Advocate?s office revealed that 88% of aboriginal inmates, and 63% of non-aboriginal inmates, at one Manitoba correctional facility surveyed in 2001 had not lived at home during adolescence, mainly because they were in foster care.

A forum on the issue last week only raised more questions.

?From that forum, and from other input that I?ve had, there really is a significant concern that the mismanagement of CFS is leading to a situation where we?ve got more kids ? who are ending up in criminal activity. And it?s very disturbing.?

So on Sunday, Gerrard is holding another discussion, with Amanda Sansregret, chair of the St. Norbert Behavioural Health Foundation, Glenn Cochrane, president of the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, Tracy Booth from the Elizabeth Fry Society and Meredith Mitchell, a child protection lawyer for Legal Aid Manitoba.

?We?re asking the question: Is there a link between the poor management of CFS and the high crime rate in Manitoba??

The Phoenix Sinclair inquiry has brought problems with CFS to the forefront, he said. Even for those with no connection to the 10,000 kids in CFS care, Gerrard says this should be a concern.

?It may be very important to all of us if this mismanagement is a factor in increased violent crime in Winnipeg and in Manitoba,? Gerrard said. ?If this in fact is a major problem ? then that can be important in helping us with a look at the direction we have to go, to CFS, so we eliminate this connection, or decrease this problem.?

The public meeting goes from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Central Corydon Community Centre, 1370 Grosvenor Avenue.

Gerrard said recommendations from the discussion could go to the Legislature or to another public meeting in the spring.

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Source: http://www.winnipegsun.com/2013/03/23/from-cfs-to-life-of-crime-gerrard-probes-prison-link

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