Ontario to investigate how jail guards treat inmates

Beatrice Fantoni, The Province

Ontario to investigate treatment of inmates by guards

Ontario's ombudsman has launched an investigation into how the province handles complaints about the mistreatment of inmates in provincial jails.

"We had more than 100 complaints in the last year from inmates who say correctional officers assaulted them, and more than 25 since this April alone," Andre Marin said in a statement Tuesday in which he announced the investigation.

"Even more disturbing are the allegations that violence has been covered up," Marin added, saying that it appears several institutions have been the subject of complaints.

"There is a concern that a code of silence has taken hold among some guards."

The investigation will focus on how Ontario's Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services responds to complaints.

There are seven adult detention centres in Ontario. The Toronto West Detention Centre and the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre are among the top sources of complaints said Linda Williamson, a spokeswoman for the ombudsman's office.

Williamson said a timeline for the investigation has not been set because Marin feels "this is just the tip of the iceberg" and time is needed to conduct interviews and gather evidence. She said it is possible the investigation will be complete by the end of 2011 or early 2012.

The ombudsman receives thousands of complaints from inmates.

"Most of them are handled very quickly and easily," Williamson said.

Greg Flood, a spokesman for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services said the ministry will "co-operate fully" with the investigation.

Marin raised the issue of complaints of assaults in his annual report published in June. It cites episodes where guards did not file reports after using force on inmates and the incidents were then covered up.

At one jail, a log book page matching the date of the assault had disappeared. At another, the written report conflicted with video evidence. In a third case, investigators were told an exculpatory health report did not exist when they asked to view it.

"Use of force used to be documented, it used to be investigated. Unfortunately we've found some serious lapses in the system," Marin said at the time.

Catherine Latimer, director of the John Howard Society of Canada, which works with inmates in federal and provincial institutions, welcomed Tuesday's announcement. She added overcrowding might be part of the problem.

"There has been a significant increase in the number of offenders in provincial correctional facilities," Latimer said. "The increased volume creates (safety) problems both for the inmates and the guards," she said, citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling which said capacity should not exceed 137 per cent if an institution is to maintain a safe environment.

Latimer added that the union representing Ontario's jail guards has expressed concern about overcrowding, saying it constitutes a health and safety risk for correctional workers.

At the same time, offenders have the right to serve their sentences in safe jails, Latimer said.

"It is incumbent on correctional services to ensure the atmosphere is safe and secure," she said.

Requests for comment from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents the province's jail guards, were not returned.