Union leaders pose outside jail after setting show on Enterprise Way
Dean Purdy, Vice-President of the BC Government Employees says staff shortages at the Okanagan Correctional Centre at Oliver are causing dangerous conditions for workers.
Purdy says for each 72 inmates only 1 staff member to guard them. He says violence or conditions that lead to violence should not be a part of any job in Canada.
About 25 workers took their lunch break today at OCC eating pizza and talking with fellow union members and BCGEU leaders.
OCC officers are sometimes asked to manage as many as 72 inmates at a time, according to the Union, which represents them.
“We are the only jail in Canada that has one officer with up to 72 inmates. It’s not good enough,” BCGEU vice-president Dean Purdy
“There is an opportunity now for the new government to bring the staff-to-inmate ratio back to manageable levels.
Unless changes are made, B.C.’s correctional officers will continue to be put at high risk.”
Photographers from local media in Penticton, Kelowna and Oliver on the scene to capture action.
Leave a Reply