Pubdate: Tue, 07 Apr 2009
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Abbotsford News
Contact:  http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Rochelle Baker

MATSQUI PRISONERS GO ON STRIKE

Inmates at Matsqui Institution are refusing to go to their prison 
jobs and programs to protest new changes at the jail.

The strike at the medium security prison began last Monday and 
involves around 200 inmates, said assistant warden Gord Tanner.

Although inmates are still going to chapel, visiting with relatives, 
and undertaking other activities, they are not attending work programs.

"They're not working in the kitchen, going to school, or working on 
the grounds," said Tanner.

The inmate protest was sparked by changes being instituted to meet 
corrections policy objectives, he said.

"We're enforcing the rules that exist, and making some new changes 
towards a more structured work day," said Tanner.

"The major change is around the yard. They are pretty upset about 
that issue. The inmates are used to having more access to the gym, 
hobby shops and yards."

Access to the yard has been restricted to evenings and weekends.

Additionally, inmates not attending work or programs during the 
working hours are confined to their living unit.

The new measures are part of a move to find a balance between work 
and recreational opportunities in the institution and an effort to 
contain the drug problem in the prison, said Tanner.

Yard times will now be closely supervised with additional staff 
posted in the towers.

"Drugs in the prison is a pretty big concern for us," he said.

People throwing drug packages over the yard fence to inmates is an 
ongoing problem.

"It's quite essential to have staff in place when inmates are going 
out for recreation. In [the yard] area we are in a sense vulnerable."

Limited yard hours are already a feature at most prisons across 
Canada, he said.

The strike has been a peaceful one, Tanner added.

"Everything is calm in the institution. [Inmates] are behaving very 
well and respectfully with staff."

Officials have no plans to try to compel the inmates to go back to 
work and don't know how long the strike will last.

"We respect rule of law. Inmates can refuse to work, they won't be 
getting inmate pay and will lose services they provide for themselves 
[in the canteen]," said Tanner.

"We're trying to encourage inmates to return [to work] and have not 
taken any steps to escalate it."

Staff at Matsqui agree with the new changes, said Gord Robertson, 
Pacific region president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers.

"We support this move by management. It's a positive move that will 
improve safety for everyone," said Robertson.

One relative of an inmate questioned the wisdom of restricting yard hours.

"It's a lose-lose situation," said the inmate's sister, who didn't 
want to be named.

Recreation is as important as work when reintegrating prisoners back 
into society, she said.

"They are supposed to be rehabilitating [inmates] but they are not. 
There's no reason for it.

The [inmates] are saying, 'no sunshine - no work.'"
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart