November 4, 1999
(Justice)

Minister corrects recent statements from NAPE

Justice Minister Paul Dicks responded today to recent statements from NAPE officials Leo Puddister and Tom Hanlon. "Both Mr. Puddister and Mr. Hanlon have made several statements in the past 24 hours concerning operational and security matters at the province's correctional institutions," said Minister Dicks. "In particular, they have made misleading statements on the hiring of outsiders and the practice of double-bunking."

The recent filling of a position on a temporary basis in Happy Valley-Goose Bay by the department was well within management rights under the collective agreement and was not filled by an outsider. "The individual, who was appointed for an eight-week period, was our probation officer in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and a member of NAPE. She has worked for the provincial government for nearly 10 years."

NAPE has also made statements concerning the practice of double bunking at the institutions. "Before the illegal strike started on Monday, there were three cells double-bunked at Her Majesty's Penitentiary (HMP). In addition, this is a standard operating procedure at provincial and federal correctional institutes across the country."

Government has also been accused of deliberately lowering its inmate population. In fact, as the provincial prison population has declined, the Corrections Division of the department has made arrangements with Correctional Services Canada to house an increased number of low-risk, federal inmates in provincial institutions. This has the benefit of allowing federally sentenced inmates to serve their time closer to their families. If this were not the case, 40 positions within the provincial correctional services would be lost.

Dicks concluded by stating that government cannot put itself in a position of negotiating with a union whose members are involved in an illegal strike, and violating a court order to end that strike. There was a collective agreement signed by Tom Hanlon and Leo Puddister on July 9, 1999, which contains grievance procedures to deal with disputes between correctional officers and government.

Media contact: David Wells, (709) 729-6830.

1999 11 04 11:45 a.m.