The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers says more still needs to be done to protect guards from violent attacks by inmates.
Just last week, two correctional officers had to be treated in hospital, one with stab wounds, after an attack by an inmate from the Renous Institution. The man was being transported to Miramichi Hospital for medical treatment.
Second National Vice President for the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers Jason Godin says violence is a part of the prison environment.
He says, “Correctional Officers deal with violence on a daily basis in institutions. It’s very difficult to predict and manage, because in most cases they don’t see them coming. Incidents are very spontaneous, so despite having all of the equipment needed, it is sometimes hard to avoid a violent incident against a Corrections Officer.”
Godin says they have been lobbying the federal govenrment since 2005 to implement a blood samples act for the protection of the guards. He says they are often exposed to blood and other bodily fluids and could easily become infected by disease.
