OPSEU signs agreement on inmate escorts

TORONTO - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Correctional Services spelling out the process for escorting inmates to appointments in the community.

Under the deal, reached at 5 a.m. Aug. 28, the ministry will train 900 correctional officers - about a third of the total complement - in the appropriate use of pepper spray and batons, and in assessing threats and use of force. Training will be offered by seniority, and the first group will be trained by Oct. 31. All training will be completed by April 30.

Officers who have completed training will be fitted with vests for escort duty. Until training can be completed, a third officer will be assigned to escort duty for inmates who pose a serious threat to public safety.

"This agreement assures the public that when an inmate is escorted from a provincial institution, the escort will be properly trained and equipped to handle anything which might arise," said OPSEU President Leah Casselman.

"I commend our staff and members for the excellent work in resolving a difficult problem, and the ministry for reaching an agreement that defines the appropriate training and sets out a timetable for providing it. This is a major step forward for the safety of the public and the safety of our members," she said.

The agreement will be enforced by incorporating it in an earlier Health and Safety Adjudicator's order which required training but didn't define how it was to be achieved.

For further information:

Katie FitzRandolph (OPSEU Communications) - (416) 448-7440 or cell (416) 561-5651
Bob DeMatteo (OPSEU Health and Safety) - (416) 443-8888

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