'Inhumane' treatment of prisoners: psychiatrists

QUEBEC CITY - Prisoners in Montreal's three jails could soon be left without psychiatric services.

Psychiatrists at the Pinel Institute are threatening to put a halt to the services they provide calling the treatment of those with mental illnesses at the Tanguay; Bordeau and Pointe-Aux-Trembles jails 'inhumane'.

Health Minister Philippe Couillard admits he is concerned about the quality of care, and says he is working with the Public Security Ministry to to better adapt services for prisoners in the province, 15 per cent of whom suffer from serious mental illness.

"Of course there is a double agenda of punishment, and of treatment- we want to make treatment a priority," says Couillard.

The Minister says he hopes to reach an agreement with the Public Security Ministry by September "to define exactly who does what."

Couillard notes the government just announced the creation of a pilot project in Montreal for a mental health tribunal, as an judicial alternative for those with mental illness.