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Start for freeThe Beginning of Ashley Smith's Troubles
Ashley Smith's story begins in a loving home in Moncton, New Brunswick. Adopted at just five days old, Ashley grew up in a caring environment. However, as she entered her teenage years, her behavior began to change dramatically.
Early Signs of Trouble
By the age of 13 or 14, Ashley started exhibiting problematic behavior:
- Failing grades
- Regular expulsions from school
- Defiant and disruptive conduct
- Walking out of class
Her father, Herb, recalls that the trouble started around grade 8. Ashley's parents sought help, hiring a child psychologist to address her behavioral issues. The psychologist identified impulsivity and a lack of understanding consequences but did not diagnose any mental illness.
The Incident That Changed Everything
Ashley's path to incarceration began with a seemingly minor incident involving crabapples and a mailman. Already on probation for trespassing and causing a disturbance at a mall, Ashley, along with other kids, threw crabapples at a mailman. This act, considered an assault on a public employee, became the first step on her road to incarceration.
Ashley's Entry into the Juvenile Detention System
Following the crabapple incident, Ashley was sentenced to a juvenile detention center in Miramichi, New Brunswick, two hours away from her home.
The New Brunswick Youth Center
The New Brunswick Youth Center describes itself as a "safe and secure environment" for youth aged 12 to 17. However, the reality inside was far from therapeutic:
- Strip searches upon entry
- Use of solitary confinement (called "Therapeutic Quiet" or TQ)
- Lack of comprehensive programs
- Focus on security procedures rather than rehabilitation
Ashley's Behavior in Detention
Ashley struggled to adapt to life in the youth center:
- Frequent conflicts with guards
- Covering her cell window with feces
- Refusing to follow instructions
- Accumulating over 800 documented incidents
In an attempt to get attention or express her frustration, Ashley began engaging in dangerous behavior, including pretending to strangle herself.
Escalation of Ashley's Situation
As Ashley's behavior worsened, the response from the correctional system became increasingly severe.
Use of Force and Restraints
Guards resorted to extreme measures to control Ashley:
- Use of pepper spray
- Strapping her into a device called "the rack"
- Tasering (twice in one month)
These tactics only served to exacerbate Ashley's mental state and behavioral issues.
Lack of Proper Mental Health Assessment
Despite her obvious struggles, Ashley never received a comprehensive mental health assessment during her time at the youth center. This failure to identify and address her underlying issues would have dire consequences.
Transfer to Adult Prison
After more than three years in juvenile detention, Ashley was transferred to the adult prison system at the age of 18.
Grand Valley Institution
Ashley was sent to Grand Valley Institution in Kitchener, Ontario, one of Canada's largest women's penitentiaries. Despite promises of better care and access to mental health resources, Ashley's situation did not improve:
- Immediate placement in segregation
- Lack of personal belongings in her cell
- Limited access to basic hygiene products
- Continued self-harm and behavioral issues
Isolation and Its Effects
Ashley spent 23 hours a day in isolation, a practice known to exacerbate mental health issues. The effects on her were severe:
- Weight loss (90 pounds in 11 months)
- Hair loss
- Deteriorating eyesight
- Increased frequency of self-harm attempts
Systemic Failures in Ashley's Care
The treatment Ashley received in the federal prison system highlights numerous failures in Canada's correctional approach to mentally ill inmates.
Lack of Proper Mental Health Care
Despite Corrections Canada's claims of access to world-renowned experts and psychological care, Ashley never received the comprehensive treatment she needed:
- No full mental health assessment
- Frequent transfers (17 times in less than a year) prevented consistent care
- Failure to provide promised therapy and psychiatric treatment
Misuse of Segregation
The use of prolonged segregation for Ashley violated both legal and ethical standards:
- Kept in segregation indefinitely
- Transferred between institutions to reset the 60-day review clock
- Isolation exacerbating her mental health issues
Inadequate Staff Training
Correctional officers were ill-equipped to handle Ashley's complex needs:
- Only 12 weeks of training
- No specific preparation for dealing with mentally ill inmates
- Confusion about how to respond to self-harm attempts
The Tragic Conclusion
On October 19, 2007, Ashley Smith's life came to a tragic end in her cell at Grand Valley Institution.
The Final Moments
The events leading to Ashley's death reveal a shocking breakdown in the system:
- Guards were instructed not to enter her cell until she stopped breathing
- 25-30 minutes passed while seven guards watched and waited
- By the time they intervened, it was too late
Aftermath and Accountability
Following Ashley's death:
- The warden and deputy warden lost their jobs
- Three guards and a manager were initially charged with criminal negligence (charges later dropped)
- Questions remain about who gave the order not to intervene
Lessons and Legacy
Ashley Smith's case exposed critical flaws in Canada's correctional system and its treatment of mentally ill inmates.
Systemic Issues Revealed
- Overuse of segregation for mentally ill inmates
- Inadequate mental health care in prisons
- Lack of proper training for correctional staff
- Failure to follow legal requirements for segregation reviews and transfers
Calls for Reform
Ashley's story has sparked demands for significant changes:
- Improved mental health assessments and care in prisons
- Restrictions on the use of segregation, especially for mentally ill inmates
- Better training for correctional staff in dealing with mental health issues
- Greater accountability and transparency in the correctional system
Ongoing Concerns
Despite the attention brought by Ashley's case, problems persist:
- 17 more inmate suicides in federal custody since Ashley's death
- Continued use of segregation for mentally ill prisoners
- Lack of comprehensive mental health care in the prison system
Conclusion
The tragic story of Ashley Smith serves as a stark reminder of the failures within Canada's correctional and mental health care systems. Her journey from a troubled teenager to a victim of systemic neglect highlights the urgent need for reform in how we treat mentally ill individuals in the justice system.
As we reflect on Ashley's story, it becomes clear that significant changes are necessary to prevent similar tragedies in the future. These changes must include:
- Comprehensive mental health assessments for all inmates
- Alternatives to segregation for mentally ill prisoners
- Improved training for correctional staff in mental health issues
- Greater oversight and accountability in the correctional system
- Better integration between the mental health care system and the justice system
Only by addressing these systemic issues can we hope to create a more humane and effective approach to dealing with mentally ill individuals in our prisons. Ashley Smith's legacy should be a catalyst for change, ensuring that no other young person suffers a similar fate within the walls of our correctional institutions.
Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yryXNq00_c0
