Mixed emotions for Correctional Officers at public mega-jail sod-turning

LINDSAY – Today’s sod-turning at the future site of the provincial mega-jail in Lindsay will be a subdued celebration for Ontario correctional workers in the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

"Correctional staff campaigned for two years to make this a publicly-run, publicly accountable facility, instead of an American-style prison-for-profit," said Larry Cripps, a Correctional Officer at the Lindsay Jail and president of OPSEU Local 309. "We’re proud of that. It means that the 350 jobs that come to Lindsay will be union jobs, with union wages that will make a real contribution to the economy of our community.

"We’re hoping that (local MPP) Chris Hodgson and (Solicitor-General) Bob Runciman will re-confirm today that the institution will in fact be publicly-run.

"What we’re not happy about is the price correctional staff will pay for this facility," said Cripps. "Correctional Officers work in a high-stress, emotionally-charged, dangerous environment. That’s why we have an average life expectancy of 58 years.

"With 1,200 prisoners, the mega-jail can only be more stressful," he said.

Cripps expressed disappointment that the Ontario government had refused union demands for early retirement for all provincial employees.

"Bob Runciman got an $800,000 payout when the Tories changed MPPs’ pensions in 1997, which is good for about $65,000 a year any time he wants to take it," Cripps said. "He gets early retirement, Correctional Officers get early death. It’s not right."

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 For more information:   

Larry Cripps (705) 793-3814
Randy Robinson (416) 315-2982

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