Investigation Report: Ombudsman Act –  Manitoba Justice

2018-12-17

Summary

A female resident at the Manitoba Youth Centre (MYC) raised health and hygiene concerns about a policy that restricted residents from having or wearing their own underwear. Under the policy, MYC residents were issued institutional underwear that were randomly distributed to them after laundering. As a result of our investigation, the complaint was resolved. MYC changed its policy and now provides female residents with three pairs of institutional underwear, which is labelled for female residents’ exclusive use during their stay at MYC, and which is returned to the resident after laundering. We also made two suggestions for administrative improvement, including that MYC reconsider using mesh laundry bags in the facility so that all residents’ personal clothing could be kept together and separate from others, and that MYC consider establishing procedures to encourage a consultative approach to process and policy changes whenever possible and appropriate (such as when clothing restrictions directly affect residents).

Case 2017-0368