Bordeaux Prison: detention conditions are improving, but concerns remain

Métro Montréal May 11, 2020 | By: Zacharie Goudreault Prison conditions for inmates at risk of having contracted the coronavirus are improving somewhat at Bordeaux Prison. However, concerns remain high as the number of positive cases continues to increase in the institution. As of Monday, the Montreal Detention Centre (Bordeaux) has identified 49 inmates with coronavirus out of a … Read more

CSC Postpones Leave Year End to May 2, 2020

Please see below for a message from CSC regarding postponing leave year end.  In light of the current situation, we understand the challenges that employees and managers face in approving leave and have therefore decided to postpone leave year-end until May 2, 2020. It is important to continue with leave year-end activities to ensure that … Read more

Message from National President, Stan Stapleton, on the recent tragedy in Nova Scotia

On behalf of the entire USJE family, I would like to express my deep condolences to our members in Nova Scotia and across Canada who have been touched by this senseless tragedy. USJE’s family includes thousands of public service employees working for both the RCMP and the Correctional Service of Canada in hundreds of detachments, … Read more

13 USJE CSC Members diagnosed with COVID-19

As of midnight on April 16th, 89 CSC employees were confirmed to have COVID-19. Of these, 13 are USJE members (1 AS, 1 CR, 1 GLMAN, 1 GSFOS, 9 WP). USJE will continue to monitor the situation carefully and to advocate for safe working conditions for all our members. If you require support, or have … Read more

CSC issues face masks and modifies practices

CSC issuing face masks  After a sustained effort by the Union of Safety and Justice Employees last week, Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) issued a policy on Monday, April 6th, stating it would immediately issue face masks to all Correctional employees who are working in institutions and in the community. Please note that employees working … Read more

CSC Community Parole Officers should not be conducting urinalysis tests on offenders in the Community

Recently CSC released a new memo entitled, “URINALYSIS PROGRAM – COVID-19 – TEMPORARY CHANGES” (dated March 24th, 2020). In this memo, it identifies the following direction for the Community: In the community, the frequency of urinalysis testing must be respected unless it is impossible to ensure social distancing or if the collector refuses to complete … Read more

Potential early release of federal prisoners due to COVID-19: Public safety at risk without input from frontline

Frontline rehabilitative staff must help shape protocols if early releases from federal penitentiaries is to happen safely. The Union of Safety and Justice Employees (USJE) is insisting that its key representatives have significant and ongoing input into any protocols if offenders are to be released safely.  This follows the appeal by The Hon. Bill Blair, … Read more