October 19, 2001
Members keep Millbrook safe
Union action prevents possible uprising
A potential bomb was defused at Millbrook Correctional Centre last week when union officials forced management to lock down the institution and search for weapons and drugs in Ontario’s only maximum-security correctional facility.
A health and safety work refusal on the morning of Thurs., Oct. 11 triggered the searches, after union officers learned that management had information indicating that inmates were planning to take over the facility. It is alleged that the employer had been in possession of the information many days prior to
informing union officials.
On Wed., Oct. 10, management finally revealed to union officials that they had learned of the inmate plans. Incredibly, the union was asked not to reveal anything to the members. The union refused to withhold the news, and health and safety refusals were initiated the next day.
After a few hitches with the Ministry of Labour, searches began by 3 p.m. Thursday. Searches of the institution uncovered sharpened weapons and a few drugs. In the main yard, at least 15 “shanks” were discovered. Officers also seized large hoards of tobacco, attributed to the fact that Millbrook goes smoke-free
on November 2.
Also aggravating the situation at Millbrook is the inclusion of remanded inmates from the Peterborough Jail. As a result, inmates who were previously housed in separate cells are now sharing bunk space.
Pete Wright, chief steward of Local 341, was flabbergasted that management withheld the information as long as they did.
“The safety of our members, the inmates and the institution is our only priority,” Wright said. “There are no secrets between the local executive and the members who elect us, especially when it comes to their safety. Our members stood solidly together, and got the job done.”
Wright also blames a lack of official standing orders and policies at the jail for the unrest.
“We still do not have any firm procedures to deal with remanded offenders,” Wright said. “This facility was never designed for remands, and the confusion isn’t helping the situation.”
It is our firm belief that action by union members at Millbrook C.C. averted what could have been a very dangerous situation. Hats off to the members who made the stand.
Inquest says Sudbury needs new locks
A coroner’s inquest has made recommendations for the retrofit of locks at the Sudbury Jail following the suicide of an inmate in August 2000.
After an hour’s deliberation, the jury recommended that the employer explore interim solutions to prevent the jamming of keyholes, and explore the modernization of all individual lock systems on each cell.
The deceased inmate was part of a group that was sent to Sudbury from the North Bay Jail following a riot in early August 2000. The inmate was found hanging in his cell at 2:20 a.m. August 11, 2000 by a correctional officer on clock rounds. Attempts to enter the inmates cell were delayed when it was discovered
that the keyhole to the cell was jammed with rolled-up paper, paint chips and used matches.
Sudbury Jail superintendent Roger Chenard told the inquest that even if new electronic locks were installed, inmates could still tamper with them.
Chenard also told the inquest that a tool used for clearing locks should not be better accessible for the staff. “It has to be in a place that’s secure,” Chenard said. “If the guard has easy access, the inmate has easy access.” It was reported during the inquest that someone had to go get the tool from a desk in
another part of the jail.
The inmate left behind a suicide note expressing his frustration at jail conditions and a letter to the Ontario Ombudsman asking for those conditions to be addressed.
More than a year later, poor conditions still exist…in every jail in the province.
For campaign information, call Don Ford (ext. 442) at 1-800-268-7376 or (416) 443-8888.
e-mail: dford@opseu.org
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3P8
www.opseu.org
Original authorized for distribution by Leah Casselman, president.
