Email: sarniajail@yahoo.com
On March 15, 2012 four Correctional Officers were fired at the Sarnia Jail.
They were fired over an excessive use of force investigation on an incident
where the inmate assaulted an officer. The inmate had no injuries and
yelled for a half an hour how little force was used.
There is a major problem with the use of force guidelines and demands of
the Ministry of Corrections. Most of their unwritten rules violate our rights
under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Here are the two videos of the press conference we had that speak of
some of the use of force issues and problems with the leadership at the
Sarnia Jail. Let others know. Pass the videos around. Lets get some
sense back into Corrections!
They were fired over an excessive use of force investigation on an incident
where the inmate assaulted an officer. The inmate had no injuries and
yelled for a half an hour how little force was used.
There is a major problem with the use of force guidelines and demands of
the Ministry of Corrections. Most of their unwritten rules violate our rights
under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Here are the two videos of the press conference we had that speak of
some of the use of force issues and problems with the leadership at the
Sarnia Jail. Let others know. Pass the videos around. Lets get some
sense back into Corrections!
Every time force is used on an inmate in a provincial jail the inmate is asked
by management if he wants to charge the officer with assault. If he assaults
the officer and is restrained he is asked if he wants to charge the officer with
assault. We need to stop the stupidity!! The public does not even believe
us when we tell them this. They cannot believe the government could come
up with something this dumb. Now officers throughout the province are
being fired for justified, reasonable uses of force. We can no longer use
force without being suspended. Now instead of protecting the inmate
Corrections has jeopardized their safety. Now staff are waiting for the fight to
end before we go in. Chris Jackel from Central North Correctional Centre
spoke in Toronto about what the government is doing. His statement is
below this one. If you feel that the direction the government has taken in
Corrections is wrong concerning the use of force in our jails please phone or
email: Madeleine Meilleur Minister of Corrections at:
mmeilleur.mpp@liberal.ola.org or phone her office at: 1-800-628-7507 and
ask for a response.
Thank, you
by management if he wants to charge the officer with assault. If he assaults
the officer and is restrained he is asked if he wants to charge the officer with
assault. We need to stop the stupidity!! The public does not even believe
us when we tell them this. They cannot believe the government could come
up with something this dumb. Now officers throughout the province are
being fired for justified, reasonable uses of force. We can no longer use
force without being suspended. Now instead of protecting the inmate
Corrections has jeopardized their safety. Now staff are waiting for the fight to
end before we go in. Chris Jackel from Central North Correctional Centre
spoke in Toronto about what the government is doing. His statement is
below this one. If you feel that the direction the government has taken in
Corrections is wrong concerning the use of force in our jails please phone or
email: Madeleine Meilleur Minister of Corrections at:
mmeilleur.mpp@liberal.ola.org or phone her office at: 1-800-628-7507 and
ask for a response.
Thank, you
Use of Force Investigations
In the spring of 2011, the Ombudsman announced that they would be conducting an investigation into the use of forces in the provincial
institutions. This announcement scared the employer into an excessive use of force head-hunting mission
against staff. Chris Jackel, President of Central North Correctional Centre, spoke to the current investigations and the flawed approach that the
employer has taken.
“The employers definition of excessive, is excessive suspensions and excessive discipline.”
Chris went on to explain that the investigation process used by the employer involved staff who were inexperienced. “Absolutely no corrections
working experience, absolutely no understanding of our legislation for use of force, and no understanding of the techniques we’re taught.” He
compared this process to an auto mechanic shop, “Based on that logic, I should be getting my transmission fixed by a plumber” Shortly after Mr.
Jackel began to reference the pending Ombudsman report, Assistant Deputy Minister of Corrections, Steve Small left the memorial service
unannounced. He failed to return to the service until after the listing of fallen names and moment of silence were over. When he returned he
was accompanied by the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Madeleine Meilleur. Chris continued to discuss the ongoing
investigations and issued a statement to the Minister.
“Another point I wish to speak on, is what I refer to as the “criminalization of the Correctional Officer”. As a routine, now, all of a sudden, every
time force is used, regardless of how minor or justifiable it is, the offender in question is asked: ‘do you wish to press charges against the Officer
who used force against you?’ It’s insulting that this is now becoming a matter of standard practice. To all of our Regional Directors, to the
Assistant Deputy Minister Mr. Small,
to the Deputy Minister Mr. Rhodes, and to the Minister Miss Meilleur, I have the following statement and request: We are not criminals, we are
not thugs, we are not villains; we are law-abiding, tax-paying citizens who face violence, gangs, diseases and uncertainty every day. Stop the
criminalization of our profession and of our duties now.”
“We need effective use of force training, we need sound workable policies, we need a fair, swift and transparent investigative body and
ultimately, we need true, honest support from our employer. Section 25 of the Criminal Code of Canada and Section 12.1 of the Ministry of
Correctional Services Act, describes how a person acting under authority is protected or justified in using force when necessary. To the people
making these decisions, please afford us
this protection now! Thank You.
In the spring of 2011, the Ombudsman announced that they would be conducting an investigation into the use of forces in the provincial
institutions. This announcement scared the employer into an excessive use of force head-hunting mission
against staff. Chris Jackel, President of Central North Correctional Centre, spoke to the current investigations and the flawed approach that the
employer has taken.
“The employers definition of excessive, is excessive suspensions and excessive discipline.”
Chris went on to explain that the investigation process used by the employer involved staff who were inexperienced. “Absolutely no corrections
working experience, absolutely no understanding of our legislation for use of force, and no understanding of the techniques we’re taught.” He
compared this process to an auto mechanic shop, “Based on that logic, I should be getting my transmission fixed by a plumber” Shortly after Mr.
Jackel began to reference the pending Ombudsman report, Assistant Deputy Minister of Corrections, Steve Small left the memorial service
unannounced. He failed to return to the service until after the listing of fallen names and moment of silence were over. When he returned he
was accompanied by the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Madeleine Meilleur. Chris continued to discuss the ongoing
investigations and issued a statement to the Minister.
“Another point I wish to speak on, is what I refer to as the “criminalization of the Correctional Officer”. As a routine, now, all of a sudden, every
time force is used, regardless of how minor or justifiable it is, the offender in question is asked: ‘do you wish to press charges against the Officer
who used force against you?’ It’s insulting that this is now becoming a matter of standard practice. To all of our Regional Directors, to the
Assistant Deputy Minister Mr. Small,
to the Deputy Minister Mr. Rhodes, and to the Minister Miss Meilleur, I have the following statement and request: We are not criminals, we are
not thugs, we are not villains; we are law-abiding, tax-paying citizens who face violence, gangs, diseases and uncertainty every day. Stop the
criminalization of our profession and of our duties now.”
“We need effective use of force training, we need sound workable policies, we need a fair, swift and transparent investigative body and
ultimately, we need true, honest support from our employer. Section 25 of the Criminal Code of Canada and Section 12.1 of the Ministry of
Correctional Services Act, describes how a person acting under authority is protected or justified in using force when necessary. To the people
making these decisions, please afford us
this protection now! Thank You.