NLIS 1
May 24, 2000
(Justice)

Minister responds to NAPE�s concerns over province�s justice system

Justice Minister and Attorney General Kelvin Parsons says he takes strong exception to the characterization of the correctional facilities and services in the media by Tom Hanlon of the Newfoundland Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE), representing correctional officers in the province.

While acknowledging that the penitentiary is an older building and it would be nice to have a new one, Mr. Parsons says the statistics and incident reports do not support Mr. Hanlon�s statement that correctional officers in the province are being required to work in an unsafe environment.

"While I have no way of verifying Mr. Hanlon�s assertions about the personal health problems of our correctional officers, or their divorce rate, which he attributes to working conditions," says Parsons, "I am most willing to facilitate and participate in a process which will assist our employees in dealing with difficult situations and issues. As a matter of fact, back in March of this year, I proposed the establishment of a committee to be made up of representatives of government, NAPE and Public Service Commission officials to deal with such matters."

Leo Puddester, chief negotiator for NAPE, responded positively to this suggestion, and advised that he would contact the department with a convenient time for the meeting. "We are ready to start that process as soon as the union gets back to us," states Parsons.

On the issue of overcrowding and the lack of rehabilitative programming for inmates at HMP, the Justice minister denies such statements. "While there were periods in the past where capacity was exceeded, we have been operating at or under capacity for several years now. As for rehabilitation at our institutions, we are offering more programs than we ever have in our history," states Parsons.

Along with the programming that is offered directly by certified staff, hundreds of thousands of dollars is being paid out by the department for contracted programming, for both federal and provincial inmates.

With regard to training for correctional officers to deal with inmates with psychiatric problems, a psychiatrist visits the penitentiary three to four times per week, the facility has a full-time psychiatric nurse, and all staff receive mandatory training in suicide prevention.

Additionally, voluntary training is offered to correctional staff in a Canadian Mental Health Association Program called Helping Hands. Correctional officers have not participated in this training to any large extent because the department only offers time off rather than paying overtime for participation.

"I am not suggesting that our correctional system is perfect, and cannot be improved upon," adds Parsons, "however, the impression presented by NAPE is simply incorrect. There are collective bargaining and other processes in place to deal with union concerns, and we can assure you they are being addressed."

Media contact: Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Communications, (709) 729-6564.

2000 05 24                                             9:25 p.m.