By paNOW Staff

Sask Pen crowding concerns union

Oct 13, 2010 | 4:40 PM

Andrew de Souza

paNOW Staff

With the possibility that inmate populations in federal penitentiaries could increase by as much as 25 per cent, the Union of Correctional Officers is hoping the federal government will act with safety for everyone – including inmates – in mind.
In February, the federal government passed a piece of legislation known as the Truth in Sentencing Act. It effectively abolished the almost ubiquitous practice of judges giving prisoners two-for-one credit for days spent in remand centres.
According to Correctional Services of Canada, the legislation could result in as much as 25 per cent more inmates landing in federal jails, or about 3,400 addition prisoners across the country.
UCO prairie president Kevin Grabowski said it could be a big issue in the prairie region, where two federal jails are located.
“Prince Albert (Saskatchewan Penitentiary) is one of the biggest jails in the country,” said Grabowski. “That’s certainly a concern because there is more staff that’s needed.
“Not just correctional workers, but its program people, it’s health care, it’s psychologists – it’s an abundance of things that go along with an increase in population.”
Grabowski added that it wasn’t up to the union to decide if legislation was right or wrong. He said all he cared about was the safety of both workers and inmates.
Currently, Correctional Services of Canada reports that the Sask Pen houses 504 inmates but was originally designed for 460.
Last week, a 30-man brawl in the gym area of the penitentiary resulted in several injuries and the death of one inmate.
adesouza@rawlco.com