TORONTO, 23 August 2024 /CNW/ – OPSEU/SEFPO leaders are speaking out to provide much-needed context in response to media reports of an Institutional Crisis Intervention Team (ICIT) deployment to the Maplehurst Correctional Complex following an unprovoked, serious assault on a correctional officer in December 2023.

The attack on the correctional officer occurred in an overcrowded, understaffed maximum security cell for the general population, which holds inmates accused of the most serious violent crimes and gang-related offenses. Following the attack, a comprehensive threat assessment was conducted as usual.

“As union representatives, we often experience that the ministry’s management does not take attacks and threats against prison officers seriously,” said Chad OldfieldChairman of the Correctional Bargaining Unit of OPSEU/SEFPO. “But in this case, after the threat assessment, it was clear that there was a serious, credible and ongoing threat to correctional staff. For this reason, a comprehensive search was ordered by ICIT and approved by senior managers to be carried out across the entire unit.”

High-threat searches are rarely conducted by ICIT and require strict management oversight. Ontario Regulations permit the use of force under certain circumstances, for example during searches and to maintain order within an establishment.

“ICIT members are correctional officers with specialized training for tactical operations in the most dangerous, explosive and violent conditions,” said Oldfield. “Every operation they undertake is carefully planned and approved, then directed and monitored by senior management every step of the way. Our ICIT members across the province carry out their specialized missions professionally and according to approved plans.”

Oldfield rejected the negative characterizations of the December 2023 ICIT use in Maplehurst was reported in recent media reports. “The inflammatory language used to describe these operations shows complete disrespect for correctional officers who risk their lives every day to protect communities in Ontario safe,” he said. “ICIT operations are not used as a form of punishment or retaliation. They are used to maintain order and security within the institutions.”

An investigation into the operation in question is currently underway at Maplehurst by the Ministry of the Solicitor General. OPSEU/SEFPO correctional officers are cooperating with the investigation and are fully supported and represented by their union.

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“You cannot rely on inmate reports alone to assess the level of security and threat to staff and inmates in a correctional facility,” Oldfield said. “It just doesn’t make sense, particularly when inmate violence in correctional facilities continues to rise.”

Violence against prison staff remains largely unpunished. In 2023, there were more than 1,800 cases of workplace violence by prisoners against prison staff, and more than 950 of these were physical assaults.

“That’s more than two attacks a day – it’s the highest number of attacks on staff we’ve ever seen,” said Oldfield. “Where is the outrage at the violence our members experience on a daily basis?”

Oldfield also questioned the lack of response from Justice Department leadership. “In the face of this one-sided narrative, why have they largely remained silent rather than defending their employees? The media is quick to blame the dysfunctional system on front-line staff rather than on decision-makers who refuse to provide the resources needed to keep institutions running safely.”

OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick called for Ontario Government for its lack of investment in improving the impossible working conditions and inhumane living conditions within Ontario’s correctional facilities.

“Correctional officers face the toughest working conditions in the province,” Hornick said. “They come into overcrowded, understaffed facilities every day, with dilapidated infrastructure and a lack of adequate programming and mental health care for inmates. OPSEU/SEFPO and the leaders and members of our Correctional Bargaining Unit have been raising these issues for years. And yet, successive governments refuse to address these dangerous conditions that regularly result in violence, medical emergencies, injuries and deaths in facilities across Ontario.”

“The Ford government can step in and support correctional officers by Ontario’s broken prison system,” Hornick concluded.

SOURCE: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)

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