The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC–CSN) rallied today in front of MP Bill Casey’s office, in Truro, against the PNEP which is soon scheduled to be implemented at the Nova Institution for Women.
“We have mobilized for many weeks so far and we have raised public awareness on the program which has already been implemented in the Atlantic Institution and will begin at Nova in the coming weeks. On the 30th of March our members gathered hundreds of signatures from Mr. Casey’s constituents who opposed such a program. Our message is clear, operationalizing a needle exchange program is an issue for Health Care and should not be the responsibility of our members” explained Jeff Wilkins, president of the Atlantic Region at UCCO-SACC–CSN.
The Prison Needle Exchange Program soon to be implemented at the Nova Institution and already in place in Atlantic Institution, allows for the circulation of needles in the cells, which can be very dangerous for correctional officers, inmates and other employees.