FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 28, 2000

Government still has time to back away from jail disaster: OPSEU

TORONTO – The Ontario government and the Ministry of Correctional Services can still back away from jail privatization without losing face, says OPSEU president Leah Casselman.

On Friday, August 25, Corrections Minister Rob Sampson released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to private companies that may wish to put in a future bid for the operation of the 1,200 bed superjail located in Penetanguishene. It is still unknown when the Ministry will release the Request for Proposal document that would begin the bidding process.

"Minister Sampson still has time to avert a potential disaster," says OPSEU president Leah Casselman. "There isn’t a private corrections company out there that has the qualifications to run a 1,200 bed facility as safely as public service correctional staff can."

Casselman cites a lengthy history of problems with private companies in the US, Great Britain and Australia, problems that have led to escapes, assaults, suicides and murder behind prison walls

"Who will be submitting their qualifications to the Ministry?" Casselman asked. "Will it be Wackenhut, who has had inmates and staff murdered in their jails, and had facilities removed from their jurisdiction by the US government? Will it be Corrections Corporation of America who allowed convicted murderers to escape into the community? Or will it be some newly-created Canadian company that has no experience running a maximum-security facility?"

Casselman has just one message for Minister Sampson: Stop while there is still time. "There is no shame in admitting that an idea like jail privatization is wrong. The Minister can back away from the horrors of privatization without losing face."

-30-

For further information, contact:

Katie FitzRandolph (416) 448-7440
Carol Whitehead (416) 443-8888 ext.356