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There is a genuine concern among staff for mentally ill inmates, says the report.

“(But) correctional officers do not feel they have the proper training to deal with mentally ill offenders, with the only available mechanism for high-risk, mentally ill offenders being segregation,” it says.

Chief among other complaints — justified, says the report — are the daily servings of inedible food prepared by the “Cook-Chill” facility in Milton.

“Food quality is very bad, with food that is often soggy, spoiled or unpalatable,” says the report. “As a result, much of the food (65 to 90 per cent) is uneaten, even for more appetizing meals.”

The low-quality food leads to violence as inmates hoard or fight over better-quality meals.

“While the actual operation of heating meals and compiling the meal tray was efficient, clean and well organized, it was readily apparent that meals themselves, other than the fresh fruit available that day, were far from acceptable by any standard,” says the report.

The lack of food left inmates constantly hungry, affecting their sleep, mood and discipline, the report adds.

The Community Advisory Board report was completed in March but only released Friday, presumably to give the Ministry of Correctional Services and Community Safety time to respond to the recommendations.

The ministry’s responses were released with the report.

The report identifies myriad other issues at the detention centre, from mould in the showers and air vents to inadequate winter clothing.