Inmate describes conditions at Calgary Remand Centre during COVID-19 outbreak

CALGARY (CityNews) – A worried family has received disturbing reports from a relative detailing the difficult conditions inmates infected with COVID-19 are facing at the Calgary Remand Centre with the province saying it’s doing all it can.

Heather Powder’s brother David has been at the Calgary Remand Centre since the end of June. Last week, he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

“He told me he wasn’t feeling good, he kind of had trouble breathing, he said his lungs feel weak. I asked are they giving you medicine or anything? He said no, they’re not doing nothing.”

She said before the diagnosis, he told her inmates weren’t wearing masks and were living in general population. He said that changed after he tested positive.

“They put him in the basement with a bunch of other people that were positive for COVID.”

WATCH: Union wants to see a plan for Correctional facility outbreaks

“Corrections were implementing policies that it appeared things were under control,” said President of the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association, Jordan Stuffco. “Clearly that is no longer the case”

CityNews raised Heather’s concerns with the Ministry of Justice which sent a lengthy response saying, “If an inmate tests positive for COVID-19, they are placed in a medical isolation unit under the care, support and supervision of on-site AHS medical staff.”

“Many of the protective health measures, such as medically isolating inmates to prevent the spread of infection, can result in changes such as separating inmates into different spaces than normal and changes to routines.”

A short statement adding, “despite the demands of some, Alberta will not simply open the doors and release prisoners en masse.”

“I have a few clients who are facing imminent jail sentences and as a lawyer it is extremely difficult to even advocate that it is safe and that it is a sentence that should even be proposed to the court,” said Stuffco.

David will be home in four months but the uncertain future has his sister worried.

“I cried because that’s like my only brother I grew up with. I just want him to get some help medical wise.”