September 15, 2000
What were they thinking?
Millbrook license plate debacle comes
to a quick end
Does Corrections Minister Rob Sampson have a clue what he’s doing?
It would be hard to convince staff at Millbrook Correctional Centre
that the Minister has a firm grip on reality after a ludicrous plan to
have members of the public make license plates was aborted after one day.
On Tuesday, Sept. 12 three workers were brought into the
maximum-security facility and paid nine dollars per hour to make the
plates, without any supervision. Managers at the institution claimed it
was the only way to make up a 120,000-plate shortage caused by an
equipment malfunction and excessive demands from the Ministry of
Transportation (MTO).
Press releases were issued by OPSEU and Liberal Corrections Critic
David Levac citing numerous health and safety issues and attacking the
Minister’s so-called "putting inmates to work" program. Less
than 12 hours later, the scheme was mysteriously brought to a halt.
"This is completely and utterly ridiculous," said Barry
Scanlon, chair of the OPSEU Corrections Ministry Employee Relations
Committee. "Minister Sampson stands in front of the cameras and
claims that he is putting inmates to work, and then pays the public to do
it. In reality, this government has gutted inmate work programs like
shoveling snow for seniors. Now, a license plate operation that has
generated millions for the province is falling apart under Tory
mismanagement. Minister Sampson has reduced inmate work programs to mere
photo opportunities."
Terry Campbell, a correctional officer and president of Local 341 at
Millbrook Correctional Centre, was appalled that the Ministry would do
this while implementing cutbacks, and has serious concerns about safety.
"This is a maximum-security institution," Campbell said.
"Bringing members of the public inside on a daily basis undermines
our security, and could cause a serious problem with contraband,
especially when these people were working without supervision."
Campbell also disputes Ministry claims that they do not have enough
inmates and staff to catch up on the license plate "shortage" as
Millbrook has the highest inmate count in recent memory. "Our
suggested alternatives have fallen on deaf ears."
Institution claims that the scheme was implemented due to an MTO
shortage rang particularly hollow when it was later discovered that
license plate blanks for California, Missouri and Wisconsin were in the
shop awaiting production.
Responding to reporters, Sampson stated, "This whole kerfuffle
proves to me that the Ministry shouldn’t be in the business of making
license plates."
No, Rob, you’re wrong. Millbrook has been making license plates just
fine for the last 43 years. Now, under your leadership, there is a problem
with production.
With a minister who manages with all of the grace, style and
organization of a university pub-crawl, it’s not hard to make the
connection.
Tough, new policy is neither
Tough new measures to reduce assaults on correctional staff are neither
tough nor new and will likely do little to protect staff.
On Thursday, Sept. 14 Corrections Minister Rob Sampson held a press
conference on the steps of the Toronto Jail. He announced that he wants to
allow internal inmate misconduct charges to proceed at the same time as
criminal assault charges if staff are harmed by inmates. Sampson also
wants to implement a new "ranking system" for correctional
officers in order to foster inmate respect.
"We are 100 per cent in favour of a zero-tolerance policy
regarding inmate assaults," says Barry Scanlon, chair of the OPSEU
Corrections Ministry Employee Relations Committee. "However there is
nothing in this initiative that improves safety for our members. Often,
local managers thwart our members from laying criminal assault charges.
Minister Sampson is certainly not in touch with what is actually going on
in his facilities."
Scanlon views Sampson’s announcement as an attempt by the Minister to
curry favour with the staff that he himself has alienated. "Proposed
superjail staffing levels of four officers for 192 inmates are beyond
dangerous," Scanlon said. "Sampson’s attacks on our members in
the press have demoralized our members. He is going to replace dedicated
professionals with security guards and his reckless jail closures have
overcrowded our facilities to the breaking point. I am sure that many of
our members find it laughable that this man claims to care about their
safety."
When asked about the new ranking system, Scanlon said, "It is
ironic that a government who fought against every item of our new
uniforms, fought against us for safety equipment, and fought against us to
improve staffing levels now wants to give us ranks. All these so-called
‘ranks’ will mean is a 15 per cent pay decrease for those who go to a
private Penetang superjail."
Perhaps Citizens Against Private Prisons is to blame. The 26,000
leaflets mailed to Sampson’s riding showing the Minister in a British
soldier’s uniform may have gone to Rob’s head.
Here comes the ‘Hurst
Make plans to attend an anti-privatization demonstration on Tuesday,
September 19 at the Maplehurst Complex from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Guest speakers
are being confirmed. All members in the GTA are asked to be there.
Sudbury Jail will roll out the red carpet for protesters on Friday,
Oct. 6. And make sure you can attend what will probably be the biggest
rally yet: Saturday, Oct. 14 in Penetanguishene. Citizens Against Private
Prisons is organizing the event.
Survey on its way
The survey on autonomous corrections is on its way to local presidents
or highest-ranking in the Corrections bargaining unit. The survey MUST be
returned to OPSEU Head Office no later than Friday, Oct. 6. Watch for it
in the mail.
Len gets 91
The Resolution Warrior has gotten the Township of Wellesley on the list
of anti-privatization municipalities. That makes 91. Thanks again go to
Len Mason of Local 737 (Thunder Bay Jail).
For campaign information, call Don Ford (ext. 442) or Carol Whitehead
(ext. 356) at
1-800-268-7376 or (416) 443-8888. e-mail: dford@opseu.org
or cwhitehead@opseu.org
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3P8
www.opseu.org
opseu@opseu.org
Original authorized for distribution by Leah Casselman, president.
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