bloodrayne
09-07-2004, 12:48 PM
Killers Given 'Spa Day'
Pedicures, aromatherapy, harp serenade: Murderers of Dooley boy, Toronto officer treated; inquiry demanded
KITCHENER - Inmates at a federal prison for women were treated to a luxurious spa day, including pedicures, aromatherapy and afternoon tea on fine china while being serenaded by a classical harpist.
Among those pampered were: Marcia Dooley, who was sentenced two years ago after torturing and murdering Randal Dooley, her seven-year-old stepson, in one of Canada's most horrifying child abuse cases; and Mary Taylor, convicted in 2000 of stabbing Toronto police Detective Bill Hancox to death with a butcher's knife while he worked undercover.
The "Women's Spa Day" was held on Aug. 21 at Grand Valley Institution for Women, a prison housing medium- and minimum-security inmates, the National Post has learned.
Also among the almost two dozen inmates at the spa day were another woman who killed a child, and a female sex offender.
"It was available to anyone who wanted to sign up from among the inmates," said a member of the Correctional Service of Canada staff at Grand Valley.
In the morning, the inmates had full manicures and pedicures by estheticians brought into the prison. They also had their "colours" done, receiving advice on clothing that best suits their hair and skin tones. Aromatherapy was also offered, the source said.
The afternoon schedule was not as crowded.
A female harpist brought her enormous harp into the Grand Valley Chaplaincy Office and serenaded inmates while they ate and drank tea from fine china cups and serving dishes, according to the source, who requested their name not be published for fear of jeopardizing employment.
Large tents were set up on the prison grounds and inmates ate barbecued meat and an enormous cake from a local baker before watching presentations, according to a staff member.
The treatment of criminals convicted of some of the most shocking and appalling crimes in Toronto in recent years outraged police officers.
"This is an absolute disgrace," said Bruce Miller, chief executive officer with the Police Association of Ontario, which represents 20,000 front-line police personnel in the province.
"The police have lost confidence in our correctional system and the public has as well. The sad fact is that a lot of our federal prisoners are living a better lifestyle than a lot of Canadians," he said.
The association wants a public inquiry into this incident and others at federal prisons.
The Correctional Service of Canada defended the activities as a way to teach inmates how to cope with stress and other life lessons.
"Not in any way, shape or form was it a pampering day," said Diane Russon a CSC regional spokeswoman. "It was basically to teach skills for women to cope with stress, low self-esteem and poor hygiene. And they do that through self-soothing, self-distraction and self-care."
The activities were organized by the chaplain's office and involved volunteers from the community, she said. "It's an attempt to make them feel better about themselves," Ms. Russon said.
Pedicures, aromatherapy, harp serenade: Murderers of Dooley boy, Toronto officer treated; inquiry demanded
KITCHENER - Inmates at a federal prison for women were treated to a luxurious spa day, including pedicures, aromatherapy and afternoon tea on fine china while being serenaded by a classical harpist.
Among those pampered were: Marcia Dooley, who was sentenced two years ago after torturing and murdering Randal Dooley, her seven-year-old stepson, in one of Canada's most horrifying child abuse cases; and Mary Taylor, convicted in 2000 of stabbing Toronto police Detective Bill Hancox to death with a butcher's knife while he worked undercover.
The "Women's Spa Day" was held on Aug. 21 at Grand Valley Institution for Women, a prison housing medium- and minimum-security inmates, the National Post has learned.
Also among the almost two dozen inmates at the spa day were another woman who killed a child, and a female sex offender.
"It was available to anyone who wanted to sign up from among the inmates," said a member of the Correctional Service of Canada staff at Grand Valley.
In the morning, the inmates had full manicures and pedicures by estheticians brought into the prison. They also had their "colours" done, receiving advice on clothing that best suits their hair and skin tones. Aromatherapy was also offered, the source said.
The afternoon schedule was not as crowded.
A female harpist brought her enormous harp into the Grand Valley Chaplaincy Office and serenaded inmates while they ate and drank tea from fine china cups and serving dishes, according to the source, who requested their name not be published for fear of jeopardizing employment.
Large tents were set up on the prison grounds and inmates ate barbecued meat and an enormous cake from a local baker before watching presentations, according to a staff member.
The treatment of criminals convicted of some of the most shocking and appalling crimes in Toronto in recent years outraged police officers.
"This is an absolute disgrace," said Bruce Miller, chief executive officer with the Police Association of Ontario, which represents 20,000 front-line police personnel in the province.
"The police have lost confidence in our correctional system and the public has as well. The sad fact is that a lot of our federal prisoners are living a better lifestyle than a lot of Canadians," he said.
The association wants a public inquiry into this incident and others at federal prisons.
The Correctional Service of Canada defended the activities as a way to teach inmates how to cope with stress and other life lessons.
"Not in any way, shape or form was it a pampering day," said Diane Russon a CSC regional spokeswoman. "It was basically to teach skills for women to cope with stress, low self-esteem and poor hygiene. And they do that through self-soothing, self-distraction and self-care."
The activities were organized by the chaplain's office and involved volunteers from the community, she said. "It's an attempt to make them feel better about themselves," Ms. Russon said.