Justice minister's lack of engagement 'absolute disrespect' to guards, union leader says
CBC
The leader of the union that represents correctional officers says Her Majesty's Penitentiary continues to face a troubling dearth of staffing that has not relented since a critical shortage this summer.
But Jerry Earle says those concerns haven't been relayed directly from the union to the minister of justice because John Hogan has yet to meet with him or correctional officials since taking office more than a year ago.
"This minister has not met with his officers … he's ultimately responsible for them, it's [under] the Department of Justice, and he has not met with the union that represents them since he's been in office," Earle, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees, said Friday.
"That shows an absolute, total disrespect for correctional officers are on the front line every day — putting their lives on the line in many instances — that he has not taken the time."
Hogan declined an interview. However, a department spokesperson said they are not aware of multiple meeting requests and that the minister is open to a meeting.
Earle said the union is in regular contact with all other governmental ministers and he had a good relationship with former justice ministers Andrew Parsons and Steve Crocker.
Earle warned in August of the potential of inmates being confined to their cells indefinitely due to a staffing shortage.
"Are things improving? Ask the officers, and the answer will be a firm no," Earle said.
Sources tell CBC News that cancellations of recreation and family visits is adding to an already tumultuous environment.
Earle said it's not just inmates missing programming — guards were recently told a "key piece of training" for them would be postponed until the new year.
"We continue to lose correctional officers. I'm being told by front-line officers before they have a sick leave call, before they have a family emergency call or bereavement call, they are routinely down 14 to 15 slots," Earle said.
"That has to be filled and guess how that's filled? Mandatory overtime most often."
Earle said 24-hour shifts are becoming a regular occurrence, not just at the prison but in correctional facilities on Newfoundland's west coast, too.
A Justice Department spokesperson said recruitment efforts are underway and 34 guards had been hired as of last year, with more to begin in the new year.