Pubdate: Sat, 16 Apr 2005
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Hacker Press Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Trudy Beyak
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

RED FLAG RAISED ON GROWING PRISON VIOLENCE, DRUG USE

Abbotsford (Conservative) MP Randy White is calling for an operational 
review of the federal prison system after documenting reports about growing 
violence inside the jails, rampant drug use and assaults on guards.

Dennis Finlay, Correctional Service of Canada spokesman, Pacific Region, 
declined to comment on the criticisms raised by White because they are 
national political issues.

John Williams, president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers in 
the Pacific Region, said there is a growing presence of gangs in local 
prisons and potential violence is a concern, yet punitive measures to keep 
inmates from misbehaving are not being enforced enough.

Williams said correctional officers feel stymied by the generous human 
rights given to prisoners.

"It's coming down to this basic question: Who's running the jails?" 
Williams said, noting that some inmates are very bright and dangerous and 
have nothing but time to work on their schemes.

"If Correctional Service of Canada doesn't tighten up the rules, they are 
going to lose control in our jails."

He noted some examples of inmates manipulating the system at Matsqui 
Institution.

Some prisoners have figured out they can get rid of an officer they don't 
like if they write an anonymous threatening letter against the officer, he 
said.

CSC moves the officer to another post within 24 hours, and that particular 
ploy has been played out at Matsqui Institution four times in the past 
year, Williams said.

Wayne Marston, Matsqui Institution assistant warden, said the facility 
follows a detailed national protocol for handling inmate threats, following 
up with appropriate reviews, investigations and risk assessment.

He believes there is good control within the prison and managers take 
seriously the safety of the staff.

The assistant warden said he has observed the number of physical assaults 
against staff have declined since the mid-'90s.

Martson said it is rare for a correctional officer to be assaulted because 
staff are doing an excellent job of interacting, observing and supervising 
inmates.

Williams is critical, however, of the way CSC handles "in house" discipline 
problems.

He said prisoners who face disciplinary charges are receiving legal advice 
from high-powered lawyer Michael Jackson in Matsqui Institution, for 
example, through a "peer advocate" program that grants inmates better legal 
counsel than given to officers. He believes the peer advocate program 
should be cancelled.

Finlay explained that the peer advocate program was introduced nationally 
to try to eliminate frivolous grievances being raised by inmates.

He reports it has been effective paring down the number of complaints 
against officers.

Williams said Matsqui Institution is one of the worst problem jails in the 
regions because it so old and archaic.

Officers can't even detain prisoners in their cells, because they don't 
have bathrooms in their cells, Williams said.

"We've got inmates mouthing off officers and chasing officers down the 
tiers and there's no punishment; it's considered a minor thing," Williams said.

Marston estimates there are 200-300 reports of disrespectful, abusive or 
non-compliant behaviour by inmates at Matsqui Institution which are 
documented by staff with a follow-up discussion with the inmate for resolution.

Staff observation reports are entered on an inmate's file and may be read 
by the Parole Board in future determinations about the offender, Marston said.

Marston also noted that drug addiction, substance abuse and trafficking are 
problems that are common to all institutions.

He said some 15 to 20 offenders have been moved to maximum-security prisons 
for behaviour problems during the past four months.
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