Correctional officers brutally assaulted at Kingston Penitentiary – Union demands safety tools
The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers says a vicious attack on two members from Kingston Penitentiary this week is one more example of why federal correctional officers need adequate tools to protect themselves and keep the peace in Canada’s prisons.
The correctional officers were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after both suffered serious lacerations to the head and a significant loss of blood. One officer has a separated shoulder.
« This is exactly why we demand that correctional officers be equipped with OC spray as part of their uniform, » said Sylvain Martel, National President of UCCO-SACC-CSN. « The vast majority of serious violence-related injuries to both correctional officers and inmates could be avoided with this one tool. »
Despite attempts by the Correctional Service of Canada to publicly minimize violent incidents within federal penitentiaries, Wednesday’s assault is an all too common occurrence in Canada’s prison system, Martel added.
He noted that Kingston Penitentiary alone sees an average of one to two assaults on officers each month. While they are responsible for the case work of individual inmates to aid in their rehabilitation plan, correctional officers at Kingston Pen are also extremely vulnerable. An officer will regularly patrol a range on which as many as 30 maximum-security inmates are milling about, many of them armed.
« These are very tough guys, » said Martel. « They are in a maximum-security institution because they have proven themselves to be violent. But our members have a set of handcuffs and a CPR mask for protection. That’s it. »
Martel said UCCO-SACC-CSN members all acknowledge that the potential for violence and injury is a part of the job they do on behalf of the Canadian public. But he emphasized that CSC management has a legal responsibility to use all the means at its disposal to limit the risks faced by its staff.
« Police officers, park wardens, even mall security guards have equipment to protect themselves, » said Martel. « We work with the most violent criminals in the country with next to nothing. That has to change, and quickly. »
Source : CNW Telbec – 15 july 2005
For further information Lyle Stewart, CSN communications, (514) 796-2066