The federal prison ombudsman says serious funding, implementation and accountability gaps are hindering the delivery of mental-health services behind bars.
The Office of the Correctional Investigator has released a report that found the Correctional Service of Canada isn't able to meet the needs of mentally ill offenders.
Howard Sapers, the correctional investigator, says too many mentally ill inmates are being "warehoused" in federal prisons.
"Canadian penitentiaries are becoming the largest psychiatric facilities in the country. The Correctional Service of Canada assumes a legal duty of care to provide required mental health services, including clinical treatment and intervention," he said in a statement.
"In failing to meet this legal obligation, too many mentally disordered offenders are simply being warehoused in federal penitentiaries. This is not effective or safe corrections."
Among his recommendations, Mr. Sapers said the correctional service should publicize its mental-health strategy, audit its delivery of mental-health services and fully fund its mental-health strategy with a focus on intermediate care.
Another ombudsman's report released two weeks ago called for an end to the practice of locking up mentally ill offenders alone for long periods to help cut the risk of death behind bars.
It also called for round-the-clock health care at medium- and maximum-security prisons, more rigorous patrols and head counts, better education for front-line staff, and stronger accountability and oversight.
Mr. Sapers concluded many of the same structures and policies that failed teenager Ashley Smith of Moncton, N.B., three years ago remain in place.
He has harshly criticized the prison service over the 2007 death of 19-year-old Ms. Smith, who choked herself with a strip of cloth at the Grand Valley prison in Kitchener, Ont. Video evidence shows staff failed to respond immediately to the emergency.
Last December, Mr. Sapers asked the Correctional Service of Canada to clearly spell out what it was doing to help the mentally ill in its care.
He requested updates on initiatives including treatment plans and the hiring of mental-health professionals.
In March, the Correctional Service promised to more closely monitor segregated offenders with mental-health problems.
Ten to 12 per cent of offenders entering the federal prison system have a significant mental-health problem.