The Protecteur du citoyen received a report about the Le Séjour unit of Centre de protection et de réadaptation pour les jeunes et les mères en difficulté d'adaptation Charles-Édouard-Bourgeois. This resource is part of Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec (CIUSSS MCQ). Various practices by the educational staff, particularly disciplinary ones, were deemed inappropriate.
The unit accommodates young people aged 12 to 17. Some are under intensive supervision measures or detention, while others are under less strict supervision.
Intervention
The Protecteur du citoyen looked into disciplinary control and isolation measures, the conduct of activities and the cohabitation of the two types of client populations. It also investigated the use of the "secure emergency area," a more restrictive section of intensive supervision.
The Protecteur du citoyen's investigation revealed shortcomings in each of these areas:
- Scheduled room time for the day is too long;
- Sometimes, time-out tactics are applied for questionable reasons;
- Some of the rules governing the unit's activities are applied too rigidly;
- Some young people spend too much time in the secure emergency area;
- All young people are supervised in a similar way. This may infringe on the rights of those who do not require intensive supervision.
Recommendations
The Protecteur du citoyen made nine recommendations to CIUSSS MCQ, one of which was also for the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. All were accepted. The Protecteur du citoyen will monitor their implementation.
