Following a recent serious assault on a female correctional supervisor two weeks ago at the Surrey Pre-Trial Services Centre (SPSC), Component 1 vice president Dean Purdy, along with Local 104 chair and Component 1 first vice chair met with the SPSC warden to discuss necessary changes to curb violence in provincial jails.

This follows a meeting with the Minister of Public Safety & Solicitor General Mike Farnworth earlier this year, where ideas for changing the current model of housing inmates were exchanged. Purdy informed the minister that the majority of violent acts are committed by the worst 5 per cent of the inmate population and that changing the way BC houses inmates is key to reducing assaults in the correctional system.

Your union will be working with the corrections branch going forward. At the same time, our component executive is working on a safety strategy model and will be seeking input from officers and supervisors. 

We will be meeting with members over the next couple months and working with BC Corrections, while drafting our own proposals to deal with the 5 per cent of inmates that cause violence and increase tensions inside our ten provincial jails.

Your component executive is optimistic that if these changes are implemented properly with clear guidelines in place, it will create a safer environment for both officers and inmates.

Dean Purdy, Component 1 Chair & BCGEU VP

Brandon Cox, Local 104 Chair & Component 1 First Vice Chair

UWU/MoveUP