RED FLAG RAISED ON GROWING PRISON VIOLENCE, DRUG USE

Abbotsford (Conservative) MP Randy White is calling for an operational
review of the federal prison system after documenting reports about growing
violence inside the jails, rampant drug use and assaults on guards.

Dennis Finlay, Correctional Service of Canada spokesman, Pacific Region,
declined to comment on the criticisms raised by White because they are
national political issues.

John Williams, president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers in
the Pacific Region, said there is a growing presence of gangs in local
prisons and potential violence is a concern, yet punitive measures to keep
inmates from misbehaving are not being enforced enough.

Williams said correctional officers feel stymied by the generous human
rights given to prisoners.

"It's coming down to this basic question: Who's running the jails?"
Williams said, noting that some inmates are very bright and dangerous and
have nothing but time to work on their schemes.

"If Correctional Service of Canada doesn't tighten up the rules, they are
going to lose control in our jails."

He noted some examples of inmates manipulating the system at Matsqui
Institution.

Some prisoners have figured out they can get rid of an officer they don't
like if they write an anonymous threatening letter against the officer, he
said.

CSC moves the officer to another post within 24 hours, and that particular
ploy has been played out at Matsqui Institution four times in the past
year, Williams said.

Wayne Marston, Matsqui Institution assistant warden, said the facility
follows a detailed national protocol for handling inmate threats, following
up with appropriate reviews, investigations and risk assessment.

He believes there is good control within the prison and managers take
seriously the safety of the staff.

The assistant warden said he has observed the number of physical assaults
against staff have declined since the mid-'90s.

Martson said it is rare for a correctional officer to be assaulted because
staff are doing an excellent job of interacting, observing and supervising
inmates.

Williams is critical, however, of the way CSC handles "in house" discipline
problems.

He said prisoners who face disciplinary charges are receiving legal advice
from high-powered lawyer Michael Jackson in Matsqui Institution, for
example, through a "peer advocate" program that grants inmates better legal
counsel than given to officers. He believes the peer advocate program
should be cancelled.

Finlay explained that the peer advocate program was introduced nationally
to try to eliminate frivolous grievances being raised by inmates.

He reports it has been effective paring down the number of complaints
against officers.

Williams said Matsqui Institution is one of the worst problem jails in the
regions because it so old and archaic.

Officers can't even detain prisoners in their cells, because they don't
have bathrooms in their cells, Williams said.

"We've got inmates mouthing off officers and chasing officers down the
tiers and there's no punishment; it's considered a minor thing," Williams said.

Marston estimates there are 200-300 reports of disrespectful, abusive or
non-compliant behaviour by inmates at Matsqui Institution which are
documented by staff with a follow-up discussion with the inmate for resolution.

Staff observation reports are entered on an inmate's file and may be read
by the Parole Board in future determinations about the offender, Marston said.

Marston also noted that drug addiction, substance abuse and trafficking are
problems that are common to all institutions.

He said some 15 to 20 offenders have been moved to maximum-security prisons
for behaviour problems during the past four months.