DRUG-SCANNER LESSON SETS OFF GUARDS

Federal inmates at an Ontario penitentiary are getting lessons from
the warden on how a security system works. The head of Collins Bay
Institution near Kingston promised an ion scanner demonstration last
month after offenders heard beefs from their visitors about "false
readings."

Correctional Service of Canada spokeswoman Diane Russon confirmed the
warden's plans, but said the demo hasn't yet taken place.

"They wanted to show the integrity of the process, that the procedures
are followed, the policies are followed, and what the actual process
is, because they don't get to view that from the inmates' side," she
said.

Russon said the lesson won't reveal the intricacies of the scanner,
which can detect trace elements of drug residue. But correctional
officers are furious that management could be aiding inmates working
to beat the system.

UNION HEAD FUMING

"This is pertinent security equipment that's supposed to be used, and
why are we reviewing security equipment with inmates?" asked Jason
Godin, Ontario regional president for the Union of Canadian
Correctional Officers.

Tory MP Randy White said the warden's demonstration -- that could
assist drug mules to bypass detection -- flies in the face of CSC's
"zero tolerance" policy on drugs.

"I don't know why the system keeps catering to complaints from
inmates. This is not school, it's not a company -- it's a prison," he
said.

But Russon insisted the lesson won't jeopardize security or make it
easier to move drugs inside.

"It doesn't compromise the system in any way," she said.