North Bay Correctional Officers protest dangerous
conditions
July 20, 2012
The North Bay Jail was the scene of
a demonstration yesterday that drew correctional
officers from across the province. The event was a
strong indicator of the frustration currently
plaguing correctional workers who are dealing daily
with dangerous conditions in Ontario’s facilities
and community corrections.
MERC chair Dan Sidsworth spoke about
the serious issues affecting all correctional
facilities in the province that stem mainly from
overcrowding which has been compounded by severe
understaffing. Sidsworth also expressed his severe
concerns over the increase in staff assaults in the
last year.
“While most provinces talk about
staff assaults numbering in the twenties and
thirties, we have reached 485, and that is probably
not an accurate number, it is likely much higher,”
Sidsworth said. Probation and Parole Officer Scott
McIntyre also addressed the increasing impact
institutional problems are having on community
corrections and its effect on public safety.
Local 616 President Mike Bisaillon
said officers are demanding to know why the Ministry
of Community Safety and Correctional Services is
ignoring their pleas over increasingly dangerous
working conditions. “This ministry claims to have
rehabilitation as its goal, but seemingly has no
problem with constant lockdowns and inmates being
housed three to a cell.”
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey)
Thomas said the ministry must make take action
immediately. “Our members accept that they work in
potentially dangerous environments. But the
overcrowding and levels of assaults we’re seeing are
unprecedented. It’s time for Corrections Minister
Madeleine Meilleur to wake up and recognize that
there are major problems in her facilities.”
Special thanks go to the members
from Thunder Bay who made the long trek to make the
event.
.jpg)
