FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2000

Media Advisory
Don Jail “bursting at the seams,” union says

TORONTO - Union officials at the Toronto (Don) Jail state the facility is “bursting at the seams” due to the number of inmates being held there. They report that the jail is dangerously overcrowded, with over 650 inmates sleeping there last night. Normal capacity is around 500 inmates.

“Staff morale is at an all time low and we are dangerously under staffed,” said Tom George, a correctional officer and president of Local 530 at the jail. “Staff are leaving due to the impending closure and management is not replacing those who leave.” The Toronto Jail is scheduled to close in Spring 2001.

George went on to say that management is trying to continue normal operations despite the staff shortages. “We are running 8 to 10 staff below complement per shift. This endangers the health and safety of both staff and inmates, but management states they are too busy to deal with it.”

Compounding the problems at the jail is the fact that acting managers occupy all senior management positions. “The majority of the front line supervisors are also acting, and they too have little experience,” George said. “There are part-time staff with more experience than some of the acting supervisors.”

Similar situations are also occurring at most of the jails and detention centres in and around the GTA.

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For more information: 

Tom George (905) 846-2652
Don Ford (416) 448-7442