News Releases    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2002

Inmate stabbing may have been preventable, union says

NAPANEE - An inmate stabbing at the Quinte Detention Centre may have been prevented if managers were not letting inmates work in the institution laundry unsupervised, claims representatives of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

Tom O’Neill, vice president of Local 467 at the jail, said that inmate laundry is one of the main distribution methods for illegal weapons and other contraband within the institution.

“We searched the jail two days ago, and found rope, razors, broken pieces of food trays and even a jackknife,” O’Neill said. “After the search, all unionized correctional staff were suspended because we refused to allow inmates to work in the laundry unsupervised. How can we protect ourselves and the inmates in our care if managers won’t allow us to do our job?”

An inmate at the Ontario Correctional Institute in Brampton was injured recently when he cut his wrist on a sharpened weapon concealed in clean laundry. The inmate was working unsupervised, sorting the laundry, when the incident occurred. The inmate required stitches as a result. Local union officials claim that management tried to cover up the incident.

Barry Scanlon, chair of the OPSEU Corrections Bargaining Team, said that his members will not compromise safety, regardless of management actions.

“Inmates know that there are very inexperienced managers working right now, and will take full advantage of the situation,” Scanlon said. “This is not the time for cutting corners and leaving inmates unlocked and unsupervised. This ongoing management strategy is a deadly one. We only hope the employer comes to their senses before it’s too late.”

The inmate, who was stabbed earlier this evening, was transported to hospital where his condition is unknown. The union reports that the ambulance paramedics dispatched to the facility refused to enter the institution until police arrived to escort them into the jail. This was due to an earlier incident where paramedics report that on-duty managers were “unsure” of proper procedures and appeared very inexperienced, causing paramedics to fear for their safety.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Tom O’Neill 613/539-2965
Barry Scanlon 416/815-1407