A violent incident occurred Sunday night at Burnaby Youth Custody Centre (BYCC). It is the latest in a string of incidents at the facility, and is yet another example of the escalating violence in BC prisons.

Two youths were involved in the incident, in which the youths set fires and destroyed equipment inside one of the units of the BYCC. This resulted in extensive damage.

This comes only three months after the last major incident – a six-hour long riot –  at the facility in July. As evidenced in nearly two dozen media reports since March, officers at this and other facilities have reported increasing levels of inmate-on-inmate violence and inmate-on-staff assaults.

Dean Purdy, BCGEU vice president Corrections and Sheriff Services says that he is not surprised at the growing level of violence occurring at the centre, especially given that the number of inmates has increased since the Victoria youth centre was shut down last year. He also said the type of inmate has changed, adding “We are seeing more young offenders with mental illness and addiction issues, and more gang affiliates than in past years.”

Prison violence in B.C.’s jails is out of control, and the provincial government is failing to take action. Help us put pressure on the Clark government and sign our petition Prison Safety Now.