OTTAWA, June 20, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers Canada (UCCO-SACC-CSN) strongly opposes Bill C-56, tabled yesterday in the House of Commons by Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. This bill proposes amendments to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act by imposing a 15-day maximum limit on the time period an inmate can be placed in administrative segregation.
UCCO-SACC-CSN National President Jason Godin denounces the fact that measures outlined in the bill are not based on any data and offer no alternative to administrative segregation. "In its current state, this bill is unacceptable. It increases the danger of correctional officers' work and compromises inmate safety." Data collected by the New York Correction Officers' Benevolent Association (COBA) has confirmed Mr. Godin's statements. For COBA, the numbers speak for themselves: violent incidents in New York correctional facilities dramatically increased following reforms by Mayor de Blasio that limited administrative segregation. Indeed, New York City correctional officers are now suing New York City and claim that reforms increase the risk of serious injury in their work environment.
For the past several years, UCCO-SACC-CSN has repeatedly asked governments for a seat at the table to participate in discussions when significant changes to correctional policy are proposed. "We are outraged to see the government has caved to pressure from various interests' groups lobbyists who, for the most part, have never set one foot inside a correctional facility," adds Mr. Godin. "What goes on inside the walls is not the same as what we see on television and in movies. Those who work there are well placed to know the reality. This is why we ask to be consulted, especially when it relates to measures that could put our lives and the lives of inmates at risk," concludes Jason Godin.
About the union
The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN) represents more than 7400 members, spread across Canada's five major regions: British Colombia, the Prairies, Ontario, Québec and Atlantic. UCCO-SACC-CSN represents the CX1 and CX2 job titles in 49 federal institutions.
SOURCE CSN
Katerine Desgroseilliers, Communication Advisor - CSN, [email protected], 514 265-4250
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