As you know, violence in BC’s prisons is on the rise. Correctional officers work in conditions that are stressful, dangerous, and sometimes life-threatening.
 
Yet Mike Morris, BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, dismisses safety concerns in our province’s correctional centres. During Question Period in the legislature last year he stated that: “Safety is not an issue in any of the correctional centres we have in BC” (at 31:01).
 
In a recent interview with Radio NL in Kamloops, Minister Morris said there seems to be a significant difference between how the government and union define an assault. 

"I am going to have to have a chit chat with Dean [Purdy] to find that out,” said Morris.

Your Component VP Dean Purdy will meet with the Minister in Victoria early next month to discuss this in greater detail.
 
In the meantime – with your help – let’s inform Minister Morris about the very real, dangerous issues in BC’s jails.
 
It’s time for the Minister to understand and acknowledge that prison safety is a serious issue. Our provincial prisons are increasingly violent for both the inmates and our members who work there. The statistics alone prove that violence is on the rise: assaults on correctional officers rose by 39 per cent between 2014 and 2015 and they are projected to rise by another 21.5 per cent by the end of 2016. 
 
The statistics speak for themselves, but now it’s time for your voice to be heard.
 
We ask that members share their stories that they have personally experienced from prison violence.
 
Please be assured that confidentiality will be guaranteed. Your name, along with any other personal information will be removed and your story will be sent directly to Minister Morris.
 
Send your stories to: [email protected]. If you have any questions about the Prison Safety Now campaign, contact [email protected].