TORONTO – Noted Ohio civil rights lawyer Alphonse Gerhardstein will visit Ontario on Monday, May 17 to discuss public safety and public accountability when correctional facilities are privatized.

In a surprising turnaround in Oakville May 12, Conservative MPP Gary Carr told an all-candidates meeting that the Tories intend to privatize adult jails if re-elected.

Carr’s statement was a stunning about-face. In October, 1998, public pressure in Lindsay and Penetang forced the Tory government to cancel plans to privatize one of three new "superjails." At the time, the Corrections Corporations of America had been courting the Harris government – just as an explosive story of murders and escapes at a CCA prison in Youngstown, Ohio was front-page news across the U.S.

Gerhardstein represented inmates at the Youngstown prison, where in its first year, more than 20 stabbings, two murders, and multiple escapes terrified inmates and citizens alike. The case was complicated by the inability of Ohio state officials to intervene in the dangerous prison operation – even to charge escapees – because the institution was privately-run.

"The government of Ontario has promised Ontarians public jails in its first term but private ones in its second term," said Barry Scanlon, a correctional officer and official with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. "They tried not to make this an election issue. Well, it is.

"The U.S. experience tells us that private jails are dangerous to inmates, guards and citizens. Mr. Gerhardstein has first-hand experience that Ontarians need to hear."

Gerhardstein will be in Toronto and available for interviews on Monday, May 17.

-30-

Barry Scanlon (519) 766-9571

Return to Top