An investigation into the November 10 assault on a guard at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam is still underway.

A Correctional Officer was punched and kicked a number of times by a prisoner. The officer was alone in the living unit with 60 inmates. He was helped quickly by other officers but was partly unconscious and suffered a concussion, along with other injuries.

The officer was taken home and could be off work for four to eight weeks.

"The overcrowding problem at North Fraser Pretrial is serious and has made the jail very tense," said Dean Purdy, chair of the union's correctional and sheriff services component. "North Fraser Pretrial Centre was originally built for 300 inmates, but now averages approximately 650 inmates who are all double-bunked."

"There have been 30 assaults at North Fraser since 2009," said Purdy.

Following an assault of this nature, WorkSafe B.C. should be called and notified. This did not happen and raises serious questions about proper procedures being followed at North Fraser. According to the Workers Compensation Act an employer must call WorkSafeBC when there has been an accident that resulted in a serious injury. On receiving such a report WorkSafe must investigate the matter.

In any case, while a final report is still due, BCGEU members at the jail are reminded of the need to report any incidents to their employer, the union and the health and safety committee.

In addition to this serious assault, there was another assault at North Fraser Pretrial Centre on Saturday, November 27. Although it was not as serious as the assault on November 10, it is a clear indication of the problems with violence at the facility.

Members are reminded of Section 3.12 ("How to Refuse Unsafe Work") of the Occupation Health and Safety Regulation:

If you have reason to believe that the work is likely to harm you or someone else this is the procedure to follow.

• Talk to your supervisor or employer
• Supervisor must investigate and fix the hazard or let you know that s/he doesn't agree that there is a hazard
• If you still believe that the work is dangerous then you can continue to refuse and the supervisor must continue the investigation in the presence of the worker and a worker rep from the OH&S committee, a union designate or a co worker selected by you.
• If the hazard is still not fixed and you consider the work unsafe, you can continue to refuse and both you and the employer must contact the WCB
• A WCB officer must investigate the matter without delay and issue whatever orders s/he considers necessary
• You may be reassigned to alternate work, at no loss in pay, while you wait for the WCB Officer's decision.
• Always let your shop steward know that you are refusing unsafe work.

Section 3.13 says that you cannot be fired or disciplined by your employer for refusing unsafe work. Any indication of retribution by the employer should be reported to your steward immediately.

The union has been raising the overcrowding issue with the government and most recently recorded its concerns with the Public Safety and Solicitor General joint union/management Article 29 committee.

The overcrowding issue at North Fraser and other facilities will also be part of the agenda of the joint union/management Article 3.1 Committee, which includes all Wardens and provincial directors and the Component executive and deals with labour/management issues.

The union has also asked for a meeting with the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General to discuss the situation.

"The violence at North Fraser is an example of the problems we are facing throughout the system," said Purdy. "If something is not done, an officer will die. That must not happen."