Union concerned about attacks on Brampton jail guards
Posted June 25, 2014 8:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There’s been an increase in assaults on staff at the Roy McMurtry Youth Centre in Brampton, according to the union representing the jail’s guards.
Three guards were taken to hospital earlier this month, allegedly jumped by seven young inmates. Peel police confirmed they were called to the facility on June 14.
“We had one officer who suffered probably the most — he had a concussion, torn rotator cuff,” said OPSEU Local 290 president and guard Bruce England.
“We had another officer who sustained a concussion.”
According to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, there have been 14 assaults on staff since mid-March.
In 2012, there were 32 assaults for the year. There were 40 in 2013.
The alleged assaults range from violent attacks to officers being urinated and spat upon.
“We have youth that assault staff and they’re in secure isolation for a maximum of three days … and they’re right back in the unit with the same officer they assaulted,” England said.
“We have … officers who have been very psychologically affected by this.”
The Ministry of Labour has recommended giving the unarmed officers protective gear and self-defense training.
Officials in Brampton have two weeks to demonstrate how they plan to comply.
