FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 14, 2002
Correctional officers refuse work citing dangerous conditions
HAMILTON - Provincial correctional officers at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre have refused under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to start work today, citing faulty cell door locks and dangerously overcrowded conditions.
For weeks, staff at the maximum-security facility have filed complaints that inmates are sabotaging the new electronic locks on the cell doors, which allow the inmates to open the doors even though the computer system indicates that the doors are secure.
“There have been problems with these locks since the day they were installed,” said Edward Almeida, a correctional officer and president of Local 248 at the jail. “We have repeatedly reported to the employer that these locks are faulty and too easily tampered with. Our concerns have been virtually ignored, and staff are blamed when
there is a security breach.”
Compounding concerns over the faulty doors is the overcrowding issues at the jail, which is currently holding nearly twice the number of inmates that the jail was designed for.
“The inmates at this facility are constantly on the verge of violence,” Almeida said. “Staff are being assaulted almost daily. How can we protect ourselves if we can’t even rely on the doors being locked?”
The new locking systems have been plagued with problems since they were installed two years ago. Similar systems are in place at the Toronto East Detention Centre, Toronto West Detention Centre, Maplehurst Complex in Milton and the new private superjail in Penetanguishene.
“Once again, we have to rely on the Occupational Health and Safety Act because management treats our safety concerns with contempt,” Almeida said. “Hopefully, we will get stronger health and safety language in our next contract so that we can do our jobs without getting hurt.”
- 30 -
For more information:
Ed Almeida (905) 574-5943
Gerry Foreman (905) 517-9402
