The youths are in solitary confinement at the Lewis Youth Center for 15 hours a day

The Quebec ombudsman has criticized the way things are done at the Le Bois unit of the protection and rehabilitation center for young people with adjustment difficulties in Levis.

In his report, he noted that young people are sometimes alone for up to 15 hours a day. And so he points the finger at the abusive detention and unjust solitary confinement that took place inside the establishment.

For Carolyn Brown, director of DPJ Chaudière-Appalaches, the report from the public protector was nuanced, confirming that the night period was included in the calculation of the number of hours in isolation.

“This is an exaggeration, but when we mentioned the matter to the Public Protector, he felt that the youths were confined to their rooms at night. Naturally, they sleep in their room at night like the majority of young people in Quebec,” she maintains.

The Public Protector also mentions a very rigid framework at Le Bois, stating that silence is required there when travelling.

Lack of excursions, insufficient food and punitive measures involving food were also mentioned in the report.

The accusations have shocked the DPJ, which has promised that no youth is short of food.

However the DPJ accepts the 11 recommendations issued by the Public Protector.

To see the full details, watch the video above.