High winds and the threat of rain did not deter hundreds of Midland/Penetanguishene residents from marching down Main Street to oppose a privately-run superjail.

Over 800 people holding red "Keep it Public" balloons tied up traffic in a procession that stretched almost a mile long. At the front of the column was a "sheriff" holding a U.S. flag followed by "prisoners" heading for their new home.

Over 80 OPSEU members were also in attendance, some driving nearly four hours to participate in the event. The members of Local 233 (Guelph C.C.) took participation to new heights as they acted out a skit depicting Mike Harris handing over the superjail to Uncle Sam and Boss Hogg. Local 233 president Paul Hughes, dressed as a Mountie investigating the "theft" of a public institution, co-ordinated the highlight of the event.

Guest speakers at the event included federal MP Paul DeVilliers, Ontario Liberal corrections critic David Levac, superjail public liaison chair Anita Dubeau as well as the mayors of both Penetanguishene and Midland.

Sharon Dion, chair of Citizens Against Private Prisons in Penetang, was overwhelmed by the community response.

"The government keeps portraying the opposition in this area as being just a handful of disgruntled citizens and OPSEU members," Sharon said. "Let’s see what they have to say now."

For more photos, click here.

At least no one can say that corrections members aren’t hardy.

When Iain Hutton planned to hold a demo at the Ontario Correctional Institute on March 29, 2000, the last thing anyone predicted was that the weather would turn from balmy to sub-zero overnight. Despite the ill-timed return of winter, over 60 members showed up at 7:00 a.m. to protest ministry plans to close key facilities and privatize the rest.

The timing wasn’t all bad. Miraculously, on the day of the demo, a large "No Private Jails" flag flapped merrily on one of the flagpoles in front of the jail. How it got there was a complete mystery.

Members at the demonstration came from far and wide, with representation from Mimico (Local 521), Toronto Youth Assessment (Local 521), Toronto Jail (Local 530), Toronto West Detention (Local 517), Waterloo D.C. (Local 230), Vanier Centre (Local 263), Guelph C.C. (Local 233), Brampton Probation and Parole, and the Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee.

OCI thanks all those who participated and wants people to know that they can count on them for support.

For more photos, click here to see first set, click here to see second set.

It would seem that Rob Sampson’s threats to municipalities do not carry as much weight as he thought. The cities of Niagara Falls, Owen Sound, Elliot Lake and the township of O’Connor near Thunder Bay have added their names to the "no private jails" list.

Applause to the local members, especially Blaine Warden (Local 252), Peter Ietswaard (Local 224), Carol Hughes (Local 604) and Len Mason (Local 737) for making this happen.

Member action inside our jails continues to spread across the province. Parry Sound Jail (Local 319) and Northern Treatment Centre (Local 670) have now joined other facilities that have requested that acting managers step down.

Parry Sound has also banned voluntary overtime as well as pulling cell extraction and escort teams. At NTC, members have also been requested to withdraw ‘good will’ by ceasing to instruct CPR, first aid, MSA, etc.

More and more, institutions are realizing that our current employer wants to destroy correctional services as we now know them. Message to Rob Sampson: We won’t go quietly.

In the March 24 Lock Talk, we said that we would be looking for detailed information with respect to the shift scheduling issue. In order to assist filing complaints around employer reductions in staffing levels, we ask that you take the time to answer the following questions on staff complement, unclassified usage and leaves.

Please be as accurate as possible. This information is vital to restoring gains we have made over the past few years.

It has been reported that Guelph C.C. Superintendent Cheri Cybulski has landed herself a cushy new position in the new Maplehurst facility. In tribute, we’ve given her a little memento of her days at Guelph C.C. To view, click here.