The office of the Minister of Public Safety said, “the safety of front line officers must always be a top priority in Canadian corrections.”
Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair’s press secretary Mary-Liz Power was responding to a release issued by the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers stating the Federal Government will be issuing needles to inmates at Warkworth Institution.
The union states allowing inmates anything to perpetuate their drug use is simply wrong.
Illegal drugs such as fentanyl, carfentanil, heroin and other drugs pose a health risk to not only inmates, but also to possibly correction officers.
Power says, “part of ensuring officer safety includes the prevention of infectious diseases in correctional institutions.”
“The Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP) helps limit the spread of infectious diseases by allowing inmates with problematic substance use issues to access clean needles safely, while also supporting the safety of other inmates and staff.”
But the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers counters that contraband in any prison setting is simply illegal.
“Correctional Service Canada (CSC) conducts a thorough Threat Risk Assessment before an inmate is approved to participate in the PNEP.
Appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure that needles are safely stored and accounted for at all times,” said Power.
“CSC is currently exploring overdose prevention service (OPS) sites. One such site exists in Alberta, and another is due to open soon in Nova Scotia. CSC will continue evaluating both models to determine how best to ensure the health and safety of staff, inmates, and the public.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
