KAWARTHA LAKES-The Union representing Corrections Officers at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay says five guards were injured in an altercation over the weekend.
Union Local 368 President Chris Butsch says officers were responding to an area where multiple inmates were involved in an altercation on Saturday when they found themselves in a situation where the inmates turned their assault to Correctional Officers. “The responding Officers were able to gain control of the situation and lock the inmates down.” Butsch says, “Unfortunately multiple officers were assaulted during the disturbance and injured as a result.”
Five officers were injured and three were taken to hospital and later released. One female officer suffered a broken nose and another officer had a puncture wound. No inmates were injured according to the union. “The Crisis in corrections continues without any real results to improve safety.” Butsch commented. “The conversation needs to continue to protect workers and public safety prior to any implementation of new policies or half baked plans.”
The Health and Safety team was called into the jail to discuss a threat assessment with the Ministry and a plan to search the unit where the disturbance took place to clear it of any further weapons, according to Butsch.
The Ministry of Community Safety and Corrections responded to our questions on the incident after 5pm Monday. Andrew Morrison issued this statment: “The ministry can confirm that that some correctional officers were injured at work at CECC on the weekend. The ministry is aware of three officers that went to the hospital to have their injuries assessed and treated. It would be inappropriate to provide any further details as the matter is under investigation and involves personal health information. No other injuries were reported to any other staff or inmates related to this incident.”
