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"Corrections Canada to visit Six Nations to discuss inmate's transfer plan", p. 2

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Corrections Canada to visit Six Nations to discuss inmate's transfer (Continued from front page) out," she told council. "This needs political input now." MacDonald told council the section could apply to any aboriginal inmate who meets the necessary qualifications to participate in the transfer. "Everyone, all along, the psychiatrists, Corrections Canada's own lawyers, everyone involved has said Sam is the perfect test case for this program...but if they won't apply the program to Sam, who is suppose to be a perfect case, what about the next person who may not have such a perfect case. This could affect anyone in prison who may be eligible." In the meantime Sam Hill, a former band administration employee, has been in custody at Beaver Creek Minimum Security Prison after being sentenced to three­and-a-half years in prison last July. Hill pleading guilty to a charge of criminal negligence causing death in connection with a head-on collision on the QEW in Burlington last year. Hill has undergone psychiatric assessment and evaluation at Millhaven Institution and has been deemed to be a prime candidate for the program. MacDonald, told Band Council Hill is "not considered a risk to society. He isn't considered to be a criminal in the sense of what a criminal is, but that he would do well under this program." The program would allow Hill to return to Six Nations and be placed on a type of probation that would require him to reside at a certain residence, report to a probation and parole officer, attend alcohol rehabilitation programs, limit him to staying within the confines of Ohsweken, allow him out only during limited hours for work or training, attend counselling services, connect with an native elder to guide him in the cultural values and norms of the Hodenosaunne, (in this case Lottie Keye of Six Nations) and more. If Hill does not abide by the conditions he could be sent back to prison. Hill has received more than 40 letters of support from Six Nations businesses and residents. MacDonald had urged council to support not only Section 81, but to extend Hill's leave of absence, without pay, as a show of support for Section 81. Hill was granted a six month leave of absence that ran out Christmas Eve. Council voted last month not to renew the leave. She told council, "this isn't just something you are doing for Mr. Hill. This applies to the whole community. We found out there is another inmate at Beaver Creek where Sam is, who is from here, and asked for a leave to attend Mid-Winter Ceremonies and was told by his worker, that they were going to recommend he not be allowed to return to his community. This is the effect of discrimination on our people in the prison system." Hill drove at speeds of up to 140 km/hr before crashing into Bernie Ansell's car at about 3 a.m., June 21, 1996. Ansell, a University of Buffalo professor was returning to his Willowdale home. He was killed instantly. Hill suffered minor injuries and had an alcohol reading three times the legal limit. Experts said he would have had to consume 14 1/2 to 20 drinks to reach the level of intoxication that night. Hill had asked the Ansell family to join him in a sentencing circle last March. The family refused. Hill apologized personally to the Ansell family before being led off in chains from the courtroom. Hill also apologized to family, friends and his community for "the pain, shame and disgrace," he said his actions brought them. "I apologize to the community we're all part of--the human race and mankind," he said in a soft quivering voice.

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