WHITEHORSE A human rights complaint has been filed against Yukon's justice department after an inmate was allegedly forced to appear naked in court.

According to the complaint, which was filed May 5 with the Yukon Human Rights Commission, Michael Nehass was dragged naked from his cell at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre by three guards in full riot gear before appearing in court via video link in January.

"Cover up my penis, man, cover up my penis, it'll be f---ing seen on camera," Nehass said, according to court transcripts.

Unidentified people then discuss getting the man a towel, according to the documents.

Department of Justice spokesperson Dan Cable confirmed that Nehass appeared naked before the court after being taken from his cell.

"As soon as he asked for a blanket, he received one," Cable said.

He added that all prisoners are responsible for making themselves presentable before the courts and that the Whitehorse Correctional Centre "cannot force them to do that."

Nehass has a lengthy criminal record and has been in and out of jail for much of the past decade. His January court appearance was related to forcible confinement and assault charges stemming from an incident with a woman in 2011.

Details of the incident came to light only last week after the Nehass family released court transcripts, along with the complaint to the rights commission.

According to the transcript, Yukon Justice Leigh Gower continued reading charges while Nehass was pinned naked on the floor. Justice Gower disregarded an immediate appeal from the Director of Legal Aid Services to have the prisoner returned to his cell, but subsequently cleared the court and sent Nehass back.

It's not clear from the transcripts how much nudity was seen on camera.

Susan Roothman, a human rights lawyers based in Whitehorse who is not linked to Nehass, said she has never heard of a case where an inmate was forced to appear in court without their clothes on.

"This person was completely vulnerable in a court appearance, it was shocking," Roothman said. "Canada has signed all of the UN conventions . . . . There are certain standards that a first world country like Canada should adhere to."

The Nehass family has filed a long list of complaints, saying Michael has spent more than 28 months in the segregation unit, with seven months in solitary confinement.

They allege he is being mistreated by being denied regular showers, adequate nutrition and phone privileges.

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Cable at the Justice Department disputes the family's allegations of mistreatment and says Nehass has been a difficult prisoner.

The Crown is seeking a psychological evaluation to see if Nehass is fit to stand trial.