A government report released today contains some positive recommendations to improve safety in provincial prisons but fails to address unsafe officer-to-inmate ratios. The report was produced by MLA Laurie Throness, the Parliamentary Secretary for Corrections.

This bulletin is for all Component 1 members regarding the status of the benchmark review hearings. BCGEU Staff Representative Jennifer Jordan gave a presentation on classification issues, and especially the upcoming benchmark review hearings.

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights … “

The BCGEU is calling on the provincial government to implement the recommendations made yesterday by a Coroner’s Inquest jury into the drug overdose death of an inmate at a provincial prison.

BCGEU President Stephanie Smith provides members with a year-end update on recent and upcoming issues and events, leading into 2015.

December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. According to the 2012 Canadian Survey on Disability, 3.8 million Canadians (13.7%) reported that they live with a disability. In spite of being the world’s largest minority group, according to the UN, people with disabilities and the issue of disability remain largely invisible in our workplaces, communities and societies.

In response to an enquiry by BCGEU president Stephanie Smith, Laurie Throness MLA, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, says his report on safety issues in provincial correctional centres should be released soon.

On Friday the BCGEU advised members in direct government service not to participate in an online Stress and Health Survey being conducted by the B.C. Public Service Agency. The BCGEU believes some of the questions are unnecessarily intrusive and inappropriate.

Many BCGEU members in direct government service are being asked by the B.C. Public Service Agency to complete an online Stress and Health Survey. The BCGEU believes some of the questions are unnecessarily intrusive and inappropriate.