‘It feels like we’ve been singled out in the dark’: union questions public health order, calls for hike in pay

By Nigel Maxwell

A nearly month-long health order that has kept staff at Saskatchewan Penitentiary away from their families and critical supports came to an end at midnight, but in the meantime the union representing correctional officers has questions about why the isolation order was in place for so long, and why members are not being fairly compensated.

Ryan DeBack, regional vice-president for the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO), said the health order which required staff to self-isolate when at home, during Christmas and New Year’s, failed to take into account the actual reality members are currently living with.

“One of the things we use to help balance ourselves and to help come down from what’s going on inside he institution is our community and that’s our friends and family,” he said.

As per a provincial health order, all people are required to self-isolate if they have had close contact with a positive case and given the outbreak declared at Sask. Pen, all staff were therefore deemed to be at risk. While the province’s medical health officer provided advice for how the facility could run, it was ultimately still up to Corrections Canada to run their operations.

“It feels like we’ve been singled out in the dark with no information, waiting to find out when we are getting access to the vaccine and told sorry about not being close to your family, that’s just not gonna happen,” DeBack said.

Adding to the union’s frustrations, is that neither staff at the provincial jails, or even hospitals were placed under a similar order. And there’s been no confirmed dates set for when staff can begin getting vaccinated, beyond expectations of sometime in the spring.

“If things are so dangerous that we can’t literally see our own children for a month than we need to be prioritized for that vaccine. We need to be part of that role out asap, like next week,” DeBack said.

The union is asking the federal government for a bump in hazard pay similar to what other front line workers in the province have received, citing their members have been on the front lines for months fighting COVID, putting both their bodies and mental health at risk, and in a job setting that is already very stressful. Deback explained over 30-per-cent of correctional officers identify with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or some form of operational stress injury.

“You just cannot go into work and deal with the people that we deal with and not have it change you, and not have it impact you,” he said.

Deback explained the increase in the hazard pay is not about the money, but rather just an acknowledgement the jobs the men and women do a daily basis is appreciated. Recalling the events that transpired at the prison during a riot in 2016, DeBack said what happened to those officers will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Speaking with paNOW on the condition of anonymity, several staff members at the prison expressed their relief about the order being lifted, and were anxious to spend time with their spouses and children.

Response to hazard pay request from the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC)

According to a statement provided to paNOW by Corrections Canada, rates of pay and terms and conditions of employment for federal employees are negotiated between Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) on behalf of the employer and unions on behalf of their members. paNOW was encouraged to consult with Treasury Board Secretariat with respect to negotiations around employee pay.

“We are aware of staff concerns associated with managing the pandemic at Saskatchewan Penitentiary. We understand this is a difficult time for staff and we are grateful for the work they do everyday maintaining our operations 24/7,” the statement said.

The statement also explained resources are available to support the employees during these unprecedented times.

“The health and safety of our employees, offenders and the public remains our top priority during this public health pandemic. We are working closely with our public health partners, unions, stakeholders and Elders, to make decisions based on science and implement measures with everyone’s safety in mind.”

Situation under control?

According to Tuesday’s numbers from Corrections Canada, there’s 20 active COVID cases at Saskatchewan Penitentiary – 16 inmates and four staff.

Prior to Christmas, the numbers were nearly triple that with 64 active cases among inmates and five staff.

All inmates who have previously tested positive at the Willow Cree Healing Lodge have recovered.

In recent weeks, the CSC instituted a number of measures to reduce the risk of transmission including mandatory masking, minimizing the number of people entering and leaving the facility, postponing all non-essential staff training and distributing additional cleaning supplies to inmates and staff.

The CSC all suspended visits to offenders, temporary absences (except for medical escorts) and work releases.