B.C.'S UNION SINCE 1919

COMPONENT 1 - CORRECTIONS & SHERIFF SERVICES

Component 1 includes members who work as Correctional Officers in provincial prisons and as Deputy Sheriffs for the B.C. Sheriff Services.

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NEWS & UPDATES

October 19, 2017

B.C. jails now using body scanners to keep drugs out - BCGEU

Body scanners are now being used in four B.C. correctional facilities to prevent inmates from smuggling drugs. The equipment is a part of a pilot project aimed at keeping inmates away from contraband substances like fentanyl, and to protect corrections officers from being exposed to drugs during pat downs.   Read more...

October 18, 2017

Meeting with AG & PS/SG Ministers on Corrections/Sheriffs Wage Crisis

Component 1 senior leaders met again with BC NDP Ministers of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, and Attorney General, David Eby, in back-to-back meetings. After meeting with both Ministers in mid-September and presenting a detailed proposal from Component 1 that outlined a retention and wage crisis that must be addressed, BCGEU Vice President & Chair of Component 1 Correc...

October 11, 2017

Editorial: Sheriff shortage continues - BCGEU

A trial shrunk to one hour. Two cases adjourned. Courtrooms closed for two days. Trials delayed two hours. The shortage of sheriffs is still cramping the justice system in Victoria. The NDP government didn't create this problem, but it has certainly inherited it. And solving it won't be any easier for Premier John Horgan than it was for Christy Clark.   Read more...

October 11, 2017

"Cliff's Call" on the Sheriffs shortage Victoria Radio station 100.3Q - BCGEU

 2 minute recording on the Sheriffs shortage from a Victoria Radio station 100.3Q in Victoria called "Cliff's Call". Cliff Lequesne is on the morning show with Ed Bain.

October 10, 2017

B.C. attorney general says 'serious' lack of sheriffs involves low pay - BCGEU

Taxpayers are footing the bill to fly sheriffs around British Columbia as the province grapples with a chronic shortage of the courtroom staff and frustrated judges speak out about delayed and stayed cases. Attorney General David Eby said the government is working to train more sheriffs to provide courtroom security while dealing with the problem of police forces luring recruits with higher pay...

October 10, 2017

UPDATED: Correction worker dies at Saanich jail - BCGEU

The corrections worker who died in Saanich Wednesday was a man in his 60s. While several aspects of the incident remain unanswered, officials investigating the case stress that the location of his work - Saanich's Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre – did not contribute.   Read more...

October 06, 2017

Dean Purdy - Statement on passing of VIRCC member - BCGEU

Dear fellow Component 1 members, I'm sure you have heard about the tragic death on the job of one of our fellow BCGEU Component 1 brothers at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre (VIRCC) . On behalf of our component's leadership, I want to share my condolences and sympathies with all of those affected by his passing, both at the VIRCC – where I too work – and around the B.C. Correc...

October 05, 2017

BC Corrections’ work helps wildfire-fighting success - BCGEU

Behind British Columbia's many wildfire-fighting crews stands a team of provincial inmates who provide vital support to those serving on the front lines. Throughout the recent provincial state of emergency, a longstanding partnership with the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) saw inmate crews, under the supervision of BC Corrections staff, ramp up their efforts to help fire crews.   Read more...

October 05, 2017

Correctional officer suffers fatal medical episode outside jail - BCGEU

WorkSafe B.C. and the B.C. Coroners Service are investigating a workplace death outside of the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre on Wilkinson Road on Wednesday. A veteran correctional officer suffered a medical emergency while operating farm machinery in a field outside the jail's barbed wire fence, according to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and WorkSafe B.C.  ...