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Newfoundland's Correctional Officers demand health and safety measures

"A recent event at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP) might have been a life threatening situation if not for the instinctive and quick reaction of experienced correctional officers, who should be commended for their handling of an extremely volatile situation, with few resources.” - Carol Furlong, NAPE President.

St. Johns (19 Feb. 2014) - Workers with Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP), who are members of Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE), held a demonstration on February 17  to voice their concerns about conditions, health and safety issues, and lack of adequate equipment in their workplace.

According to NAPE President Carol Furlong, “a recent event at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary might have been a life threatening situation if not for the instinctive and quick reaction of experienced correctional officers, who should be commended for their handling of an extremely volatile situation, with few resources.”

Guards point to overcrowding as part of the problem

Correctional Officer Paul Taylor says the officers want to see more staff and the ratio between inmates and guards increased.

Operational review

Justice Minister Darin King says an operational review will focus on a recent attack in the prison chapel as well as look at conditions leading up to the incident including safety protocols and the subsequent lockdown and response.

The findings will not be made public because of security concerns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE