B.C. to assess correctional staffing and overcrowding issues

Corrections capacity hits 170%; 60-to-1 inmate to staff ratio puts officers in danger

Vancouver (15 Dec. 2006) - John Les, British Columbia's solicitor general, has agreed to assess recruitment, retention and overcrowding problems in B.C. correctional facilities.

John Les made the comments at a meeting with George Heyman, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) and Dean Purdy, chair of the union's correctional and sheriff services component. The purpose of the meeting was for the BCGEU to raise a number of issues that are of concern to members in corrections.

Existing officers are leaving B.C. in droves to take jobs elsewhere, joining the federal correctional service, other police forces and the RCMP, the solicitor general was told. One of the prime reasons is sub-standard compensation.

Purdy cited as an example the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre where 33 out of a staff of 120 have quit this year. In the last two years, 10 out of 23 newly-hired staff members have left the centre, and the number of persons attending recruiting seminars is "way down,” he added.

Heyman said B.C. ranks eighth in "compensation issues" among Canadian provinces, not third as the province has said is its goal. "We are very concerned that this issue isn’t going to go away unless steps are taken to address the problem and make B.C. compensation competitive and attractive," he said.

Problems acknowleged

Les conceded that a problem exists and agreed that a high staff turnover rate destabilizes the workforce. He called it a “challenge” and agreed to have ministry meet with the union and look at ways to resolve the issue.

Heyman mentioned the collective agreement, which allows either party to revisit wage rates where market forces indicate it would contribute to a solution. Les agreed that the issue should be “properly considered.”

Overcapacity problems such as double-bunking and staff-to-inmate ratios were also discussed.

Purdy raised safety concerns and pointed out that ratios are as high as 60 to one and that assaults on staff have risen as a result. Information collected by the BCGEU indicates that the corrections branch is currently running at 170% capacity, resulting in serious safety issues.

Les acknowledged that overcrowding is a problem and said he is negotiating with the treasury board for money to finance new facilities. He mentioned zoned land, now ready for development north of Kelowna, and said he hopes to build two new jails if financing is approved.

“I was pleased with the meeting and we will continue to follow up to resolve compensation and safety issues," Heyman said. "Both are of great concern to our members in corrections." NUPGE