MATSQUI PRISONERS GO ON STRIKE

Inmates at Matsqui Institution are refusing to go to their prison
jobs and programs to protest new changes at the jail.

The strike at the medium security prison began last Monday and
involves around 200 inmates, said assistant warden Gord Tanner.

Although inmates are still going to chapel, visiting with relatives,
and undertaking other activities, they are not attending work programs.

"They're not working in the kitchen, going to school, or working on
the grounds," said Tanner.

The inmate protest was sparked by changes being instituted to meet
corrections policy objectives, he said.

"We're enforcing the rules that exist, and making some new changes
towards a more structured work day," said Tanner.

"The major change is around the yard. They are pretty upset about
that issue. The inmates are used to having more access to the gym,
hobby shops and yards."

Access to the yard has been restricted to evenings and weekends.

Additionally, inmates not attending work or programs during the
working hours are confined to their living unit.

The new measures are part of a move to find a balance between work
and recreational opportunities in the institution and an effort to
contain the drug problem in the prison, said Tanner.

Yard times will now be closely supervised with additional staff
posted in the towers.

"Drugs in the prison is a pretty big concern for us," he said.

People throwing drug packages over the yard fence to inmates is an
ongoing problem.

"It's quite essential to have staff in place when inmates are going
out for recreation. In [the yard] area we are in a sense vulnerable."

Limited yard hours are already a feature at most prisons across
Canada, he said.

The strike has been a peaceful one, Tanner added.

"Everything is calm in the institution. [Inmates] are behaving very
well and respectfully with staff."

Officials have no plans to try to compel the inmates to go back to
work and don't know how long the strike will last.

"We respect rule of law. Inmates can refuse to work, they won't be
getting inmate pay and will lose services they provide for themselves
[in the canteen]," said Tanner.

"We're trying to encourage inmates to return [to work] and have not
taken any steps to escalate it."

Staff at Matsqui agree with the new changes, said Gord Robertson,
Pacific region president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers.

"We support this move by management. It's a positive move that will
improve safety for everyone," said Robertson.

One relative of an inmate questioned the wisdom of restricting yard hours.

"It's a lose-lose situation," said the inmate's sister, who didn't
want to be named.

Recreation is as important as work when reintegrating prisoners back
into society, she said.

"They are supposed to be rehabilitating [inmates] but they are not.
There's no reason for it.

The [inmates] are saying, 'no sunshine - no work.'"