Cultural needs part of Regina jail protest, defence lawyer says

The need forcultural and spiritual services ispart of the motivation behind a brief hunger strikeat the Regina Correctional Centre, a defence lawyer says.

On Tuesday afternoon, a government spokesperson said the protest action had ended.

Earlier, Bob Hrycan, who represents one of the inmates involved in the protest, told CBC News the hunger strike was "very much cultural"and concernslack of access to sweats, pipe ceremonies, and other things that are basic to First Nations culture.

The hunger strike was noted Monday when Drew Wilby, executive director of corporate affairs with theMinistry of Justice, told reportersthatabout 15 people in a jail unit were involved in the hunger strike.

"I can confirm that unit is a high-security, high-safety risk unit," Wilby said.

"I understand that the inmates are not pleased about a lack of access to the outdoors, as well as a lack of access to a gym. Due to the security and safety risks of that unit, those two privileges have been taken away."

Wilby said the inmates have access to move about the range, TVin their cells andaccessto programming as well.

They also haveaccess to an elder and a preacher, he said.

Most of the offenders in the high-riskunit are there due to their gang affiliations, or as a result of theirbehaviour within the facility, he said.

According to the province, while the hunger strike is over, the inmates will still not have access to gym equipment or the outdoors.

However, a microwave will be placed on the unit and offenders will be allowed to an additional $10, per week, of their own money on canteen items.

The government stressed that a smudging unit which it claimed had been planned for the unit well in advance of the hunger strike will be operational within a week.