Sunshine, warm temperatures and burgers on the grill were just some of the key elements in the success of the Local 248 (Hamilton-Wentworth D.C.) anti-privatization demonstration held Wednesday, July 5.

However, the main credit goes to Local 248 president Ed Almeida’s superb organizational skills. Thanks to the local’s hard work, about 80 protesters, including members from the Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee (MERC), Local 122 (Bluewater Youth Centre), Local 229 (Ontario Correctional Institute) and Local 521 (Mimico C.C./Toronto Youth Assessment Centre) attended the event along with some well-known guests.

Hamilton East Liberal MPP Dominic Agostino was there, along with NDP Corrections Critic Peter Kormos and the NDP candidate for the Wentworth-Burlington 2000 by-election, Jessica Brennan. Liberal Corrections Critic David Levac was also there, but arrived late due to a television interview.

Hamilton city councillor Marvin Caplan not only turned up but spent a good deal of time flipping burgers, much to the relief of one harried member trying to feed the masses. Caplan was also the first speaker of the day.

"I have learned from experience in the retail sector that people don’t always want the lowest price, but the best value," Caplan said. "Any fool can give you the lowest price."

Dave Graves, vice-chair of the Corrections MERC, told the crowd about the fiasco with Wackenhut in the U.S., and the escapes that have occurred with privatized escorts. "One inmate who escaped from Transcorp is now a regular feature on America’s Most Wanted," he said.

Peter Kormos applauded the men and women working in the province’s jails for their professionalism and commitment. He also showed his contempt for the "private at any cost" agenda of the Tories.

"Harris and Sampson are so deep in the pockets of American private jail companies that they are spitting out lint," Kormos said. "Lots of people talk about the brain drain, but no one is talking about the profit drain – tax dollars that are going directly south of the border."

Dominic Agostino reminded the crowd that everything that the Harris government did in the future would be measured against the tragedy of Walkerton, and the planned privatization of corrections would be no exception.

"Private jails are wrong, they’re dangerous and they are a threat to public safety," he said. Agostino drew a loud cheer from the crowd with his last statement. "In three years, we will get rid of the problem when we get rid of Harris."

Last, but not least, Local 248 president Ed Almeida spoke to the crisis being created in the correctional system. "The Ministry wants to purposely jeopardize the system with overcrowding and understaffing, so that Mr. Sampson can argue that he needs to fix the problem with privatization," Almeida said. "We are trying our best to cope, but the situation is becoming uncontrollable."

Our congratulations go to Ed and his local for organizing a first-class event. 
Click here for more pictures.

On Friday, June 30, the Ministry announced the closure of Sault Ste. Marie Jail, an announcement that was supposed to have occurred along with the other closures revealed on May 5. The Ministry plans to replace the jail with a 36-bed expansion at the Northern Treatment Centre (NTC).

Daryl Pitfield, president of Local 608 at the jail, said he expects up to 80 full-time jobs could be lost as a result of the closure scheduled for Summer 2001. The fate of the unclassified officers at both the jail and the NTC is unknown.

The Ministry will not comment on how they plan to deal with sentenced offenders or inmates serving intermittent sentences. Sentenced inmates will likely have to be transferred to institutions as far away as Thunder Bay or the new superjail in Penetanguishene. According to Pitfield, even the 36 beds being allotted for remanded offenders is nowhere near the number currently needed.

This announcement comes on the heels of Sault Ste. Marie council’s decision to retract an earlier motion opposing privatization of correctional services. Council voted 9-4 to take a softer stand after meetings between Corrections Minister Rob Sampson and Sault Mayor Steve Butland.

We wonder if those council members are now having second thoughts about all those "assurances" from Sampson?

The Township of Nakina, north of Geraldton and the Township of Moosonee have passed the corrections anti-privatization motion, pushing the resolution count to 84. Did the Resolution Warrior strike again? Yes, Brother Len Mason of Local 737 (Thunder Bay Jail) takes the credit for these two. Len is everywhere, so be careful if you are camping up north this summer!

The Ontario New Democratic Party has made the public ownership of jails official policy.

At the party’s convention held June 16-18, delegates committed to developing a comprehensive program to reduce crime. This is part of the resolution that was passed:

"Be it further resolved that this program will include…maintaining full public ownership and operation of correctional facilities."

Ah, those lazy Sunday mornings. Sleep in late, wander into the kitchen in your robe and fuzzy slippers, sit down and enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee and the Sunday paper. Relaxing?

Not if you were in the Sampson household last Sunday and were staring at the Mississauga News, which featured a front-page full colour photo of the Citizens Against Private Prisons billboard along with a lengthy story. This paper is delivered to every home in Mississauga.