'Assaults are on the rise': Sask. federal correctional officers sound the alarm over escalating violence
The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers is voicing urgent concerns over what they describe as escalating violence within federal facilities.
James Bloomfield, a representative of the union, reported a troubling increase in assaults and mental health issues among officers.
"We're finding that federal corrections officers are pretty much in crisis right now. Assaults are on the rise. Mental health injuries from assault in our environment are through the roof. We're at over a 54 per cent rate within five years of being an officer," Bloomfield said.
Acknowledging the inherent dangers of their profession, the union stresses that the current level of violence has become untenable.
"We also understand that this job comes with its dangers, but my job is not to be assaulted," Bloomfield said.
The union has been seeking assistance from Correctional Service Canada since September last year but claims that their calls for help have gone unanswered.
"We have been asking for help from the leadership from Corrections Canada since September of last year, and we've still received no answers on how they're going to help us with these number of assaults, and how they're going to help us reduce these numbers," Bloomfield said.
The situation has escalated to what the union describes as a crisis point, prompting discussions about potential job actions.
"It's compounded to a point of crisis at this point, we need some changes immediately. We've tried everything out, and we'll continue to speak out as loud as we need to make sure that there are some changes," said Bloomfield.
A protest had been planned in Saskatoon for today, but it was canceled due to poor weather conditions. CTV reached out to Correctional Services Canada and the federal government, and did not receive a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Conservatives, NDP should be 'celebrating' EV deals: industry minister
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says federal opposition parties should be 'celebrating' the recently announced electric vehicle deals, despite their criticisms the Liberals refuse to make public the terms and conditions laid out in the contracts.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
VIA Rail service delayed for hours due to suspicious package investigation in Kingston, Ont.
VIA Rail service resumed in the Kingston, Ont. area late Saturday afternoon, after a suspicious package investigation halted train service for more than four hours over the Victoria Day long weekend.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.