Charge inmates for guard assaults: union
Posted Jun 19, 2010 06:46:46 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nova Scotia’s justice minister says he’s going to make sure necessary charges are laid when guards at the Burnside jail are attacked by inmates.
Nova Scotia Government Employees Union president Joan Jessome says they want the policies and procedures enforced so when inmates attack guards they are charged.
“The employer does have good policies in place saying what needs to be done when something like that happens,” she said. “It’s not being followed.”
Jessome says such assaults are happening too often.
Minister Ross Landry says he has zero tolerance for abuse and he’s going to ensure management is laying charges where necessary.
“My issue is that if you assault a guard you get charged,” he said. “It’s up to the individual that’s assaulted to come forward, lay the complaint and go through the investigative process. There is a process in place there.”
The concern comes after an inmate was stabbed during a major disturbance and subsequent lockdown at the jail on Tuesday.
