A potential tragedy was just barely averted on Tuesday, Aug. 15 when the Toronto Police Emergency Task Force (ETF) arrested an offender in the waiting room of the Yonge St. Probation and Parole office. The offender, who has a history of psychiatric problems and was recently released from custody, was waiting to see a female P&P officer. He was also carrying a gun.

Staff members at the office were alerted to situation when another offender notified his P&P officer that the man in the waiting room was armed. This sparked a call to Toronto police after the armed man’s P&P officer was notified to not bring the man in for their interview.

David Kerr, probation and parole representative on the OPSEU Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee (MERC) was shaken when he was informed of the incident.

"If the other offender in the waiting room hadn’t noticed the gun sticking out of the armed man’s waistband, this could have been a very catastrophic event," Kerr said.

What amazed Kerr was that the situation came to a safe and successful conclusion despite the lack of safety procedures in place to deal specifically with these types of incidents. The union has been fighting for two years to implement standardized safety procedures in P&P offices across the province.

"It was almost blind luck that no one was hurt," Kerr said. "The supervisor had to leave the building to coordinate with the police, and that left the staff without any kind of direction. Staff weren’t evacuated, and some staff were not even notified until five minutes before police took down the offender. By that time, almost 90 minutes had elapsed."

Despite numerous attempts to have the employer implement safety guidelines, which include things such as metal detectors and secure interview rooms, Ministry bureaucrats have delayed the recommendations citing cost and space issues. One manager, addressing P&P staff after the incident, was quoted as saying, "Installing metal detectors and security guards would destroy the integrity of what we do and increase the risks."

It is these types of statements that enrage Kerr.

"This is coming from the mouths of the people who represent our so-called ‘law and order’ government. If Corrections Minister Rob Sampson will not take steps to protect his own staff, why should we believe that he would worry about regulating corrections operators from the private sector?"

Adding to the tension is the apparent hold on the hiring of 165 new P&P officers. "These hires were supposed to alleviate case load numbers to allow officers to better supervise their clients," Kerr said. "How many more armed and/or dangerous offenders will walk through our door putting staff in jeopardy? We demand that Sampson take immediate steps to protect his staff in the field."

Over to you, Mr. Minister.

Do we detect a note of desperation here?

Members of Citizens Against Private Prisons (CAPP) in Penetanguishene were furious over an article that appeared in today’s Toronto Sun. In it, Corrections Minister Rob Sampson discounted the citizens group as a mere front for OPSEU.

The article focussed on a CAPP pamphlet mailed to 26,000 residents in Sampson’s riding which bashed the minister for promoting a British model of private corrections. Titled "How Far Will Rob Sampson Go to Sell Out Ontario Corrections?" the pamphlet listed problems in the U.K. system, especially the huge increase in the crime rate. At CAPP’s request, OPSEU paid for the postage.

This prompted the Corrections Minister to allege that CAPP doesn’t really exist. Sampson said that the union is using the supposedly "independent" citizens group as a front for its own opposition to privatization. "OPSEU is using the veil of another name," the Sun quotes Sampson. "Just come clean and stop hiding behind the name."

CAPP chair Sharon Dion’s reaction was one of incredulity.

"How dare Rob Sampson pretend that we don’t exist." Dion said. "I am completely and utterly appalled that he would make those statements. Yes, OPSEU has given us information and financial support. That’s because we don’t have the luxury of spending the taxpayer’s money on advertising like Sampson does."

Dion went on to say that her group has received lots of assistance from other sources. "We have received many donations from community residents, many of whom are on fixed incomes. We have gotten help from the John Howard and the Elizabeth Fry Societies, and from the Liberal and NDP parties, not to mention all of the research we have done on our own. Sampson’s remarks are an insult to every member of this community."

Rob’s weak-hearted attempt to bash OPSEU makes it obvious that the Minister is fraying around the edges. A question does come to mind though, Rob: If you spend $30,000 of taxpayer money promoting private jails, and your own poll indicates that 70 per cent of those taxpayers are against private jails, then whom are you really fronting for?

Welcome to the Len Mason report. The Resolution Warrior from Local 737 (Thunder Bay Jail) has the Town if Rainy River on board.

That makes 86 municipalities opposed to private corrections.

If the rest of our locals could put in the same effort as Len, Sampson would be forced to build his private jail somewhere in the middle of Hudson’s Bay. How about it, folks?

Quinte Detention Centre will be hosting an anti-privatization demonstration and barbecue on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To get to Quinte, exit Highway 401 and go south on Highway 41 (Napanee). Turn left at Richmond Blvd. and Quinte D.C. is right there. Members are asked to please come out in support.

The following week, a demonstration and barbecue will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2000 at Millbrook Correctional Centre.

Get out for a nice summer drive and attend these protests!