Corrections officers in B.C. rally for safety amid surge in assaults by inmates
Dozens of corrections officers marched in Abbotsford Thursday to call attention to worsening working conditions and their employer's alleged failure to adequately address the issue.
Speaking to reporters at the rally outside the Correctional Service of Canada's regional headquarters on Gladys Avenue in Abbotsford, John Randle – regional president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers for the CSC's Pacific region – explained the group's concerns.
"We're here today because across the country we've seen violent assaults on correctional officers rise to numbers that in my career – I've been a correctional officer for 15 years – we've never seen before," Randle said.
He said more than 700 officers were assaulted last year.
"That's double what we've seen in previous years," he said, noting that – as regional president – he's notified whenever incidents occur in the Pacific region.
"It's happening too much. It's almost daily we're getting the calls that someone's been assaulted, whether that be physically, spit on, feces thrown in their faces. We deal with all that, and we're losing correctional officers because of it. People are tired because our employer is not supporting us."
Asked to elaborate on the lack of support he sees, Randle shared some specific examples, but he also highlighted what he sees as the CSC's general attitude right now.
He characterized the employer as "afraid" of lawsuits and bad publicity.
"They put the needs of the inmates first, over their staff," he said. "That's a problem for us. It's our job as corrections officers for the care, custody and control of inmates, to keep them safe and rehabilitate them. It's our employer's job to keep us safe."
Specifically, he said the CSC has stopped using "disciplinary segregation," which he said is different from "administrative segregation" – the type of solitary confinement that was subject to class action lawsuits and abolished in 2019.
Randle also noted that drone deliveries of drugs and weapons have contributed to the increase in violence, saying it's creating "a dangerous black market" inside federal prisons.
"The first thing that they need to do is get us the tools we need," he said. "There is technology out there to stop drones. We need it. We need it now. It can't happen, you know, next month, next year. We need it today."
For its part, the CSC issued a statement Thursday in which it described the safety and well-being of staff as "of paramount importance."
"We are, and will continue, to work with our staff and union partners to ensure safe work environments," the statement reads, in part.
"These are issues that have our ongoing attention, vigilance and action, as we all work towards the same goal."
The agency also touted its "multi-prong approach" to mitigating the risks of contraband, which includes searches, technology, "intelligence investigations" and "tools such as ion scanners and detector dogs."
"Several measures are in place to protect the safety and security of staff. This includes the appropriate security placement of offenders, an engagement and intervention model, drug detection and identification tools and ongoing staff training," the statement reads. "Front-line correctional officers are qualified to use, and are provided with, the necessary security equipment to ensure their safety and security in institutions, including protective vests, self-defence tools, and restraint equipment."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.