KAWARTHA LAKES-The Central East Correctional Centre (CECC) in Lindsay is slated for five new Correctional Officers according to the government. Officials say 53 new CO’s will join the ranks across the province.
“Correctional officers are essential partners in Ontario’s justice system and perform a great service that contributes to community safety across the province,” said Sylvia Jones, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. “I would like to congratulate every person graduating this week for their hard work and commitment.”
OPSEU Local 368 President Chris Butsch says the numbers released by the government are misleading. “There is no change to the full time compliment at all.” Butsch told Kawartha 411. “Hiring part time workers does not fix the needs of any institution.” There have been ongoing calls for more staff at the CECC.
The officers will be assigned across Ontario to 15 different institutions. Of the 53 new correctional officers, nine come from communities across Northern Ontario and will be deployed to institutions in Northern Ontario.
“Correctional officers from the North, trained in the North and serving at institutions in the North are uniquely qualified to help inmates in the North rebuild their lives and reduce the risk of re-offending,” said Jones.
The average number of adults in custody across the province in 2017-18 was 7,474 per day in 25 adult correctional facilities.
The new correctional officers will be deployed to: Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre, Central East Correctional Centre, Central North Correctional Centre, Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre, Kenora Jail, Maplehurst Correctional Complex, Monteith Correctional Complex, Niagara Detention Centre, Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre, Quinte Detention Centre, Thunder Bay Correctional Centre, Thunder Bay Jail, Toronto East Detention Centre, Toronto South Detention Centre, and Vanier Centre for Women.
