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July 6, 2001

Hostage crisis in Fort Francis ends peacefully

A hostage taking at the Fort Francis Jail on June 28 ended peacefully after a 20-hour stand off with police.

All three correctional officers and the shift supervisor on duty at the facility last Thursday night were involved when the 14 inmates took over the jail around 9 p.m. The supervisor managed to barricade himself in an office at the start of the crisis and called police.

Police tactical squads and negotiators immediately responded and cordoned off the jail. The quick action likely prevented any escapes.

Fort Francis Jail’s Cell Extraction Team (CET) was the first to arrive on scene after the police. The next to arrive was an Institutional Crisis Intervention Team (ICIT) from Kenora, which is three hours away, and ICIT from Thunder Bay, which is six hours away.

During the stand off, police managed to negotiate the release of two of the officers. The third officer was released when ICIT entered the area. The shift supervisor, fearing for the safety of his officers, was the last to leave the facility. The incident ended around 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Inmates from the Fort Francis Jail have been moved to Kenora and Thunder Bay while the investigation into the incident takes place. Sources say that police have charged the two inmate ringleaders, who were awaiting trial on first-degree and second-degree murder respectively. No information on the cause of the disturbance is available, but escape may have been the motive.

Sampson responds

In the June 1 edition of Lock Talk, we re-printed a letter written by Liberal Corrections Critic David Levac that was sent to Corrections Minister Rob Sampson. Levac outlined many factual issues that were very troublesome with respect to the privatization of the Penetanguishene superjail.

The following is the reply sent to Levac by Sampson. Judge this one for yourself:

Dear Mr. Levac:

I am in receipt of your letter of May 31, 2001, regarding the operation of the Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC).

The information in your letter contains numerous errors. Previous governments, such as yours, ignored recommendations from the Provincial Auditor to modernize and review Ontario's correctional services. This government has chosen to act upon these recommendations by investing new money in new and more secure jails.

The Mike Harris government is investing $450 million to build safe, secure, efficient, effective and publicly accountable institutions. This government will continue to make tough choices and decisions when it comes to ensuring that Ontario' taxpayers' dollars are spent effectively and efficiently.

The Town of Penetanguishene has already benefited from the construction phase of CNCC. As of May 2001, $23.15 million dollars has been invested in the local community, including $12.4 million for labour and $10.57 million for materials. The project has also created 1,476 construction-related jobs in the area. The private operator, Management & Training Corporation, has indicated that it intends to continue this investment in the community, purchasing at least 75% of supplies and services from local businesses, wherever possible. This is great news for the local economy. I find it hard to understand why you would object to our investment in the future and the economy of Penetanguishene when you know that the ministry's corporate offices in Toronto and North Bay would make the purchase decisions of a publicly run facility.

Management & Training Corporation (MTC) was awarded the contract to operate CNCC following an open, thorough and competitive transaction process. The ministry has structured a Services Agreement that makes effective use of both public and private sector input. Furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the CNCC facility will be secured from the ministry's existing stock by recycling and reusing furniture and equipment from decommissioned correctional facilities. Had the ministry required the operator to furnish the facility, the subsequent cost would be been passed on to the taxpayer.

As for food services, MTC is responsible for providing food to inmates within the institution. The operator will be required to purchase specified food products from the operator of the Cookchill Food Production Centre in Milton, Ontario. As well, MTC must use the same computer programs and forms as all publicly operated adult correctional institutions to ensure the same high standards and policy procedures are maintained.

For your information, the operation of CNCC is an investment in this government's continuing efforts to build a safe and secure correctional institution and an investment in the Town of Penetanguishene. As you are well aware, the Province will own fixtures, furnishings and equipment. The Town of Penetanguishene itself demanded that the province continue to own and not sell the property. Since the Province owns the property, as supported by the Town, current provincial legislation dictates that the local levies be paid as payments-in-lieu of taxes, at the annual rate of $75.00 per bed for an annual payment of $88,800. Town officials are well aware that I will continue to work with the Town of Penetanguishene regarding their request for payment of the appropriately applicable business levies.

I have made it clear on a number of occasions that Ontario's provincial corrections institutions will follow tough operating standards designed to improve public safety, security, efficiency, effectiveness and accountability, regardless of whether they are operated by the public or private sector. Unlike previous governments, this government has made it very clear that it is serious about fighting crime and not rewarding offenders. We have established tough, results-based standards, further demonstrating our commitment to ensure the communities that host our jails remain safe.

This government's objective is to ensure that CNCC will be a safe, secure, effective, efficient, and accountable institution, not only for offenders and staff, but also for the community of Penetanguishene. In fact, a public opinion poll taken of Penetanguishene residents and tabled in the Legislature on June 22, 2000, indicated that 82% of respondents would be comfortable with a private-sector operator if tough safety and security standards were in place. We share the concerns of the community and have demanded that MTC meet the same high standards that every correctional institution in the province must meet.

As a government, we have a responsibility to manage taxpayers' hard-earned money responsibly. We are obliged to ensure that they get the best possible service and value for their tax dollar. More importantly, our government is committed to putting public safety first. I intend to honour that commitment.

Yours truly,
Rob Sampson, Minister

Waterloo closes tonight

The official notice has come down that the Waterloo Detention Centre will be closed effective 11:59 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2001.

Wellington D.C., also slated for closure, will remain open for at least another week. The reason for the extension is due to the transfer of inmates from the Maplehurst superjail to Wellington, which was done to prevent triple bunking at the Maplehurst facility.

Corrections Minister Rob Sampson had made earlier promises in writing to staff at Maplehurst that three inmates would not be housed in same cell in the new building. It is unknown how long the Wellington jail will remain operational.

In case you haven’t seen it…

The billboard alerting Simcoe residents of the massive tax break being granted to private prison firm Management and Training Corporation continues to turn heads on Highway 11 near Orillia.

If you haven’t had the chance to drive up that way, you can view the billboard artwork at:

http://www.opseu.org/ops/ministry/billboard.htm

Print some copies - they make great MPP Christmas gifts.

E-mail warning

This is a reminder to all members who have employee e-mail accounts.

Six employees at the Ministry of Natural Resources were fired this week and at least 100 more were disciplined after it was discovered that employees had either sent or saved e-mail messages containing racist and sexist material. The full details of the evidence are not known, but this should serve as a warning to ALL employees regarding use of the employer’s e-mail system.

Although you cannot control the types of e-mail messages you receive, you do control what you save or forward to others. ANY e-mails containing inappropriate messages, jokes or attachments should be deleted immediately. You do not have any right to privacy when using the employer’s e-mail. Bear that in mind.

For campaign information, call Don Ford (ext. 442) or Pam Doig (ext. 687) at 1-800-268-7376 or (416) 443-8888.
e-mail: dford@opseu.org or pdoig@opseu.org

Ontario Public Service Employees Union
100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3P8
www.opseu.org

Original authorized for distribution by Leah Casselman, president.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union, 100 Lesmill Rd. Toronto, ON M3B 3P8  (416) 443-8888  www.opseu.org