As the private jail playoffs enter the second round, one of Team Corrections’ lead players has been relegated to the bench in favor of a more experienced playmaker.

Ministry captain Rob Sampson, a relative newcomer to the team, began the season quietly enough, but as the pressure intensified, Sampson began to show a lot of strain, both on and off the ice.

Crucial scoring chances were fumbled away by Sampson’s over-confidence in his own abilities. His lack of experience in dealing with more seasoned opponents has become a liability to Team Corrections, and General Manager Mike Harris took matters into his own hands April 26.

At a Tory fund-raiser in Thunder Bay Wednesday night, Harris said Thunder Bay should expect an announcement about a privately-run superjail, but he wouldn’t say when.

Captain Sampson could only look on as the Premier softened up the opposing team before allowing Sampson back on the ice.

On a more serious note, it has now become crystal clear that the Ministry cannot be trusted to deal in an honest manner. Barry Scanlon, OPSEU chair of the Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee (MERC), said that during talks with the ministry last February, the government said the Penetanguishene facility would be the only institution privatized.

"When asked, Ministry negotiator Malcolm Smeaton stated that Penetang was the only jail being considered for a private operator," Scanlon said. "However, Smeaton also said ‘The premier could wake up tomorrow and decide that more jails will be private. We have no control over that.’"

Well, it would appear that Harris has done just that. Who’s running the ministry, Rob?

There was a sea of uniforms surrounding the Ontario legislature on Wednesday, April 26. Only this time, it wasn’t the OPP riot police.

Over 100 uniformed correctional officers from across the province gathered at Queen’s Park to demand some respect from Corrections Minister Rob Sampson. Sampson has been less than complimentary about his employees, referring to job performance as "bottom of the barrel."

Liberal MPP and corrections critic David Levac organized the event. Mr. Levac met with officers at the front steps of the Legislature, then invited the group to a closed door meeting in the Liberal caucus room so that he could listen and respond to questions and concerns posed by the officers.

Also on hand at the meeting were Liberal MPP David Ramsay and NDP MPP David Christopherson, both former Corrections Ministers.

Levac and Christopherson vowed that their parties would continue to fight against the privatization of correctional services, and stated that privatization would never happen under either of their governments.

Officers then attended the legislative gallery. Mr. Levac asked the Minister during Question Period if Sampson would commit to sitting down with officers to explore means of keeping correctional services public. A visibly shaken Sampson refused to look up at the officers while he stumbled through his non-answer. 

For additional pictures, click here.

A "powder keg ready to blow" is how conditions are being described in one of the province’s largest detention facilities.

Over 75 correctional officers and support staff from across the GTA protested outside the Toronto West Detention Centre April 27 to draw attention to the massive overcrowding at the jail. Members at Toronto West are accusing the government of creating a crisis in the jail in order to justify privatization.

"Working conditions inside are just horrifying," said Mort Todd, chair of the Health and Safety committee for Local 517 (MTWDC). "Inmates are stacked in there like sardines, and they are taking their frustration out on the staff."

The intolerable work environment has sparked work refusals as the staff attempt to deal with the record counts.

The highlight of the event was a visit by Liberal MPP and corrections critic David Levac, who urged members to not back down from the fight to save the public correctional system.

"I need you to keep doing exactly what you are doing right now," Levac said. "I applaud your professionalism and dedication to your work, and salute you for putting your lives on the line every day."

The event was superbly organized by Local 517 Privatization Committee chair John Woolley and steward Dan Beaton. Both were pleased by the turnout.

"I’m really glad to see that members are becoming more involved," John said. "We have to stick together if we are going to beat the government agenda."

For additional pictures, click here.

Rob Sampson’s "privatization is beautiful" message must be really effective. Eight more municipalities have added their names to the list of those in support of publicly-run corrections. The City of Sudbury as well as the surrounding towns of Capreol, Nickel Centre, Onaping Falls, Raside-Balfour, Valley East and Walden all supported the motion thanks to Marnie Campbell of Local 617 (Sudbury Jail). Marnie was accompanied by 20 of her fellow members as she made her pitch. Meanwhile, Len "Mr. Resolution" Mason of Local 737 (Thunder Bay Jail) has added the Town of Geraldton to the growing list.

The Mississauga NDP Riding Association is sponsoring a privatization forum on Wednesday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. Guest speakers will include Liberal MPP David Levac, NDP MPP Peter Kormos, and representatives from the Elizabeth Fry and John Howard Societies. The forum location is the University of Toronto, Erindale Campus, south building. The Erindale Campus is at 3359 Mississauga Road. For more information, please contact Jorge Hurtado Jr. at (905) 277-4567.

Every year on April 28, workers across the country pause at 11:00 a.m. to remember those who have been killed or injured on the job. To commemorate these workers, the following poem has been written by Local 617 president Larry McGregor, a correctional officer at the Sudbury Jail.