Calgary Remand Centre inmates hold hunger strike over food, clothing

Dozens of inmates at the Calgary Remand Centre have launched a hunger strike, complaining that their food portions are too small and they're forced to wear the same clothes for a week at a time.

The inmates also saythey have difficulty accessing medical care and are being forced to falsely claim gang membership.

Criminal defence lawyers Shamsher Kothari and Hersh Wolch both confirm they have clients involved.

It creates bitterness and unhappiness.- Hersh Wolch, a defence lawyer

"It creates bitterness and unhappiness," says Wolch.

One of clientswas moved to the Red Deer Remand Centre after the strike beganand Wolch believes it was because of his involvement in the protest.

The inmates involved are from Unit 5, which is a high security unit, also colloquially known as the "gang unit."

Some who are involved say they're unfairly being labelled as gang members and are being forced to choose a group to identify with so they can be placed among those members.

Wolch says the biggest issue is a lack of resources and wants to see an independent review done on the facility to identify ways to make it more liveable.

A spokesperson for Alberta Justice confirmed the strike isrelated to food quantity,the prices for canteen, prison attire and general privileges.

"These matters will be discussed when the inmates observe the behaviour expected of offenders held in custody," said Dan Laville.