So much for the open public process promised just months ago.

Last April, Corrections Minister Rob Sampson attended a public meeting in Penetanguishene and promised the 500 citizens packed into Orser Arena that issues surrounding the superjail would be discussed in an open, public process. Sampson made these promises to try to soothe the hostile crowd who were opposed to his privatization plans.

It appears that Sampson’s promises are as hollow as his reasons for privatization.

Last Friday, August 25, in his first appearance in Penetang since the April meeting, Sampson and a couple of his cronies met secretly with Penetanguishene Mayor Bob Klug, Superjail Liaison Committee chair Anita Dubeau and the Penetanguishene town clerk. The purpose of the meeting was to release the final version of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The RFQ is a government document that outlines the qualifications private companies must have in order to submit a future bid on the jail’s operation.

So why all the secrecy? That is something that Citizens Against Private Prisons (CAPP) chair Sharon Dion wants to know.

"I am absolutely flabbergasted that Sampson has the gall to hold a secret meeting up here after all of his bold claims that this would be an open process," Dion said. "The fact that members of Penetanguishene council were not even aware of the meeting is enough to raise suspicions as to what Sampson’s intentions are."

Sources in Penetang report that council members were absolutely furious that they were not informed about the meeting. In fact, it was a tip from the office of Liberal Corrections Critic David Levac that alerted the townspeople that Sampson was even in town.

OPSEU sent out a press release August 28 telling Sampson he still has time to back away from this privatization disaster.

"Minister Sampson still has time to avert a potential disaster," said OPSEU president Leah Casselman. "There isn’t a private corrections company out there that has the qualifications to run a 1,200 bed facility as safely as public service correctional staff can."

Casselman cited a lengthy history of problems with private companies in the U.S., Great Britain and Australia, problems that have led to escapes, assaults, suicides and murder behind prison walls

"Who will be submitting their qualifications to the Ministry?" Casselman asked. "Will it be Wackenhut, who has had inmates and staff murdered in their jails, and had facilities removed from their jurisdiction by the US government? Will it be Corrections Corporation of America who allowed convicted murderers to escape into the community? Or will it be some newly-created Canadian company that has no experience running a maximum-security facility?"

Casselman has just one message for Minister Sampson: Stop while there is still time. "There is no shame in admitting that an idea like jail privatization is wrong. The Minister can back away from the horrors of privatization without losing face."

However, it would appear that our Minister does not care too much about losing face. Maybe that’s because, as far as the citizens and town council of Penetanguishene are concerned, Sampson has as many faces as a cat has lives.

Over 150 people were on hand last Wednesday, Aug. 30 at the Millbrook Correctional Centre for the largest anti-privatization demo seen at an institution yet.

Protest organizers Pete Wright, chief steward of Local 341 and Local 341 president Terry Campbell were exhilarated with the turnout.

Among the guests were OPSEU president Leah Casselman, OPSEU First Vice-President/Treasurer Len Hupet, Corrections Critics Peter Kormos (NDP) and David Levac (Liberal), Ontario Federation of Labour vice-president Ethel LaValley, CAPP chair Sharon Dion, Corrections MERC vice-chair Dave Graves and Peterborough city councillor Jeff Liel. OPSEU Region 3 Executive Board members Pauline Tapping, Doris Middleton and Ron Marston were also on hand. Members attended from Local 308 (Peterborough Jail), Local 309 (Lindsay Jail), Local 521 (Mimico/TYAC), Local 438 (Rideau CTC) Local 337 (Brookside Youth Centre), Local 323 (Huronia Regional Centre) Local 310 (Newmarket Court House), and the soon-to-be privatized COMSOC Local 529 (York Detention Centre).

Even Millbrook’s superintendent and the deputy superintendent were on hand to watch the festivities.

Peter Kormos was in fine form as he blasted Rob Sampson and the Tory government for a "tragedy waiting to happen" if they implement private jails. "This government is going to play with the lives of every member of communities across the province." Kormos accused the Tories of playing "placebo politics," pretending to cure problems they created themselves.

Kormos arrived early at the demo and went on a surprise tour of the facility with Leah Casselman and Len Hupet as his guests.

Casselman told the demonstrators that correctional services must be accountable to the public, and they must be staffed with well trained professionals in all positions. "Anything less is irresponsible and puts trusting communities in jeopardy," she said.
Participants at the rally also expressed concern that Millbrook’s inmates, a dangerous mix of
maximum security prisoners, would be transferred to the new Lindsay superjail, which may well be privatized.

"The offenders we deal with are the worst of the worst in the provincial system," protest organizer Pete Wright said. "Putting these offenders in a superjail with inexperienced staff and 1,200 other offenders is a recipe for complete disaster. Millbrook is a relatively new and efficient institution. This closure completely defies logic and common sense."

Our congratulations go to Pete, Terry and the rest of the fine folks at Millbrook for hosting this fine event.

For additional pictures, click here.

The week of Sept. 4 is shaping up to be the "sweeps week" of corrections anti-privatization demonstrations.

Guelph C.C. (Local 233) kicks things off on Wednesday, Sept. 6 with a demo from 4-5 p.m.; Rideau CTC (Local 438) will hold a lunch hour protest on Thursday and Ottawa-Carleton D.C. (Local 411) will hold a noon demo on Friday.

These demonstrations are having a huge impact out in the communities. Thanks to generous media coverage, we are getting the message out that professional, publicly-run jails are the way to go.

So get out to these protests, have a free bite to eat and let’s show Rob Sampson that Ontario wants nothing to do with his private corrections scheme.