The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN) is cautiously acknowledging Bill C-83 which involves changes to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act which will replace administrative segregation.
Resources Needed
“Bill C-83 will require serious consultation and resources to make it work” noted the National President, Jason Godin. “As correctional officers, we want to make sure that we have the proper tools to ensure staff and inmates safety. In that sense, Bill C-83 must include structured intervention units, which would operate as a population management tool that can ensure staff and inmate safety”, added the President.
Alternative for Disciplinary Segregations
For UCCO-SACC-CSN, the new Bill C-83 must not sacrifice disciplinary segregation as a tool to deter violent behaviour. “We need alternative sanctions to disciplinary segregation, ensuring that inmates displaying dangerous and violent behaviour have some consequences for their actions. Since CSC has limited its use of segregation with new policies, there has been increased reports of assaults on inmates and staff. For example, Godin says, ‘At RPC (Regional Psychiatric Centre) we have had over 100 assaults on staff in 12 months. We need to get this under control’ “.
Finally, UCCO-SACC-CSN welcomes the introduction of body scanners to prevent contraband. ‘Our union has advocated strongly for the implementation of body scanners. We are satisfied with the results. But we still need more resources to manage high-risk, violent and self-harming offenders, such as what was tabled by the Union in 2005 to manage high-risk women offenders which has fallen on deaf ears”, concluded Jason Godin.
UCCO-SACC-CSN intends to further review Bill C-83.