As of Wednesday, there are 74 active COVID-19 cases at the Sask. Pen. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Corrections

Federal inmates to receive COVID vaccine Friday under pilot program, union says

Jan 6, 2021 | 4:02 PM

The union representing federal correctional officers is expressing disappointment, upon hearing news hundreds of doses of COVID vaccine are be delivered later this week to federal inmates across the country.

While it’s not clear how many doses are destined for Saskatchewan Penitentiary at Prince Albert, a total of 600 inmates are scheduled to be vaccinated as part of phase one of Correctional Service Canada’s (CSC) pilot program. Each of the inmates would in turn receive the required two doses over a few weeks; and sick and elderly prisoners will be given priority. It’s unclear which vaccine the inmates will receive.

“Our members are working in institutions right now that have been declared as pandemic sites, and they are not being afforded the protection of a vaccine. They should be a priority,” Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN) National President Jeff Wilkins said.

“CSC has an obligation to provide essential health care to federally incarcerated inmates.” _{– CSC Commissioner Anne Kelly}

Wilkins acknowledged CSC has a legal mandate to provide care, custody and control to the inmate population, but explained they also have the legal mandate to protect their staff members from disease under the Canadian Labour Code.

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As of Wednesday, there’s been 2,241 tests done at Saskatchewan Penitentiary, with 215 positive cases — 74 are considered active. Since Dec. 20, staff at the prison have been ordered to isolate when at home, and not interact with other members of the household. The health order, which is scheduled to end on Jan. 11, affected both Christmas and New Year’s Eve plans.

While the union has previously asked for vaccine distribution to first go to priority sites where there is a significant outbreak, or potential outbreaks, Wilkins said it seems CSC hasn’t considered this option.

“Since March, Correctional Officers have been on the front line to protect the Canadian population. As front-line workers, they had to work with COVID-19 infected people, placing them at high risk for infection. We didn’t get any compensation for this, no hazard pay, which was given to other front-line workers. It’s time the Federal Government and the Correctional Service of Canada starts recognizing the dedication of its employees,” Wilkins said.

Correctional Service Canada

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) says the decision to vaccinate older, medically vulnerable federal inmates, is based on a recommendation by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). The CSC explained as further supply of the vaccine becomes available, it will eventually be offered to all federal inmates based on NACI prioritization guidance.

“Under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, CSC has an obligation to provide essential health care to federally incarcerated inmates. To this end, the vaccine will be administered to federal inmates by CSC health care professionals. CSC has been working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and has begun receiving doses of the Moderna vaccine, which was recently approved by Health Canada,” the statement said

With respect to staff, the statement from the CSC indicated they and the Public Health Agency of Canada, are working closely with the provinces and territories to facilitate access to the COVID-19 vaccine for staff in accordance with the priority groups identified by NACI. CSC Commissioner Anne Kelly said the health and safety of their employees, inmates, and the public is a top priority for the Correctional Service of Canada.

“This is very welcome news, as we know vaccines are a critical way to limit the spread of COVID-19. We will continue working with our public health partners, unions and stakeholders to roll out measures that help protect everyone during this public health pandemic,” she said.

Response from the Opposition leaders

Upon hearing the news of the plan to vaccinate inmates, Federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole tweeted “not one criminal should be vaccinated ahead of any vulnerable Canadian or front line health worker.” Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback shared O’Toole’s sentiments and told paNOW he was in disbelief when he heard the news.

“If you’ve got some extra doses hanging around, you should give them to the provinces and they can get them to our frontline workers or those most vulnerable like our seniors,” he said.

Hoback said the pilot program demonstrates the latest display of “incompetence” by the Liberal government, adding it comes at a time of reported vaccine shortages.

“The reality is we’ve been slow to the game on this one and we should have more than enough vaccines all the time coming in,” he said. “But because they are slow to the switch, and slow in purchasing, Canadians will be sitting in the back of the line waiting for vaccine while other countries go ahead and get their residents vaccinated which is rather disappointing.”

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell