Odyssey Newsletter
Periodical profile published 1982

Publisher:  Odyssey Group, P.O. Box 280, Bath, Ontario K0H 1G0
Year Published:  1982
Pages:  46pp   Resource Type:  Serial Publication (Periodical)
Cx Number:  CX2442

The Odyssey Newsletter is published by a group of long term prisoners who "feel that prisons and the justice system in Canada must be changed through non-violent means."

Abstract: 
The Odyssey Newsletter is published by a group of long term prisoners who "feel that prisons and the justice system in Canada must be changed through non-violent means." It attempts to bring to the attention of the public "the gross injustices perpetuated by the Canadian correctional services, Canada's justice system and the other services related to the correctional field." The publishers believe that public apathy can only be combated by education, and that the newsletter can help to serve that purpose.

The December, 1981 issue uses editorials, articles, poetry and prose to describe and analyse the reality of life in prison. The Special Handling Unit of the prison is exposed as a system that breeds alienation, contempt, utter frustration, and a crippling of the prisoner's ability to succeed "outside." Another prisoner describes the devastating effects on relationships that result from the treatment of visitors to prisons: the body searches, the stripping and the observation that frequently occurs. A lengthy poem entitled "Ode to an Ex-con's Wife" illustrates the pervasive inhumanity built into all aspects of life in prison. Also included is an article critiquing "The liberal, humanitarian facade" of Canadian prison reform. For example, the Family Visiting Program at Millhaven is shown to be "a powerful control manoeuvre by penal authorities.....demanding the passivity of prisoners in exchange for their wives' company."

The editors of Odyssey Newsletter are interested in receiving articles concerning prisoners' rights and the criminal justice system. (No remuneration is available for published materials).

$4 per annum.

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