B.C. prison guards decry increasing violence, drone drops of weapons, drugs
The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers says prisons have become “overwhelmed” by a surge in drone drops of weapons and drugs, driving a wave of violence in correctional facilities.
Union members plan to protest outside the regional headquarters of the Correctional Service of Canada in Abbotsford, B.C., on Thursday over escalating violence.
John Randle, the Pacific regional union president, says at least one prison in B.C. commonly has six or seven drone sightings a night.
He says guards are hampered from holding inmates accountable for violence because they are no longer allowed to use “disciplinary segregation” to temporarily remove a prisoner from a unit if they are violent against other inmates or guards.
The union says in a statement its officers are “routinely” targeted for assaults, often leaving them with both “physical and psychological injuries.”
It says the uptick in violence against guards has caused a mental health crisis, and working conditions and the management structure at correctional facilities don't support front-line workers' needs.
Randle says they expect at least 100 members to rally Thursday outside the Correctional Service of Canada's Pacific regional headquarters in Abbotsford.
It says the protest is aimed at denouncing the violence faced by members, who commonly go home from work injured.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 17, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Flair Airlines CFO charged with involuntary manslaughter linked to fatal car crash in U.S.
Flair Airlines' chief financial officer Sumanth Rao is facing involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with a fatal crash involving an underage driver who had been drinking at his Atlanta-area home.
DEVELOPING Luigi Mangione shouts as he is led into courthouse where he contests extradition to N.Y.
The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted Tuesday while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania, a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder.
National rent prices decline year-over-year to 15-month low: report
A new report says average asking rents fell nationally on a year-over-year basis to $2,139 in November, marking a 15-month low.
Premiers to meet with Trudeau Wednesday about trade and tariffs, Ford says
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the country's premiers are meeting virtually Wednesday with the prime minister to discuss the threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports.
Some added sugar sources are worse than others for disease risk, study suggests
Sugar isn’t helpful when looking to reduce heart disease risk –– but sweet drinks are the worst, according to a study. There are better sweet treats.
Company ordered to refund B.C. Telus customer who accidentally sent it payments
A B.C. Telus customer who mistakenly sent online banking payments to a company with a similar name will get refunded after a small claims decision handed down Monday.
Legal experts sound alarm on Legault's threat to use notwithstanding clause to ban public prayer
Legal experts say the increasing tendency of provincial premiers to use the notwithstanding clause is a worrying trend that disregards the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Drugs, guns, stolen vehicles and inadmissible entries mark busy year at border: CBSA
The Canada Border Services Agency says there’s been an increase in the confiscation of illegal items at border crossings, as well as a jump in inadmissible foreign nationals attempting to enter Canada from the U.S., this year compared to last.
Jamie Foxx reveals he suffered a brain bleed and a stroke, says 'I don’t remember 20 days'
Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx has opened up about the medical emergency he faced last year, revealing that he had a brain bleed that led to a stroke.