Nova Institution for Women Archives

Media release: Former correctional officer at the Nova Institution for Women arrested on charges of sexual assault against prisoners

May 11, 2020 1 Comment

News release: Today, The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) – along with the Atlantic Elizabeth Fry Societies – have learned that a former Correctional Officer at the Nova Institution for Women was arrested and charged with 6 counts of sexual assault, 6 counts of breach of trust, and 1 count of trying to procure sexual service – all related to his work at the Institution.

The lack of health care for women in Nova Scotia prisons

November 21, 2018

Rebecca Hussman went to a talk by registered nurse and activist Martha Paynter about the shocking lack of health care for women in Nova Scotia prisons. Paynter dedicated her talk to two women who died while in Truro’s Nova Institution for Women in 2015: Veronica Park and Camille Strickland-Murphy. “… this is what happens when we inadequately care for people inside,” Paynter said.

Inside Canada’s East Coast prisons (photos)

April 23, 2018

A few heartwrenching and rare photos taken during a recent fact-finding visit to East Coast prisons by members of the Senate Committee on Human Rights. Many more on the Senate of Canada website.

Let’s Talk – Bell Canada makes calling from prisons needlessly difficult for incarcerated women

November 9, 2017

It’s needlessly difficult to make a call from the Nova Institution for Women in Truro, says Martha Paynter of Women’s Wellness Within. Phone charges should be dropped, and internet access should be provided. Current restrictions just add to the prisoners’ sense of isolation and emotional duress. Turns out the phone provider is Bell Canada, of #BellLetsTalk fame.

Staff person’s harmful comments about trans inmate remain unaddressed

October 16, 2017

A problematic story in the Chronicle Herald about a staffer’s transphobic comments causes reporter Rebecca Rose to take an in depth look at the harm they cause and and how to counteract them. She also looks at the significant policy changes that triggered the comments, and how these changes came about. But no matter how good the policy changes and staff training, decarceration and community inclusion remain the best solution, advocates say.

Pregnancies don’t wait. Doula support withheld from pregnant inmates at Nova Institution

November 15, 2016

Women incarcerated in the Nova Institution for Women in Truro have not had access to volunteer doula services since June of this year. As a result women may well be at risk of losing their babies, says the coordinator of the partnership that used to provide the doula services.