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Originally Posted by Gh0stRider

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Attack on guard prompts concerns of overcrowding in B.C. jails


By John Colebourn, The ProvinceNovember 11, 2010 3:04 PM


Concerns are being raised about overcrowding in B.C. jails after a correctional officer was attacked by an inmate at North Fraser Pretrial Centre on Nov. 10.
Photograph by: Ric Ernst, PNG

The beating of a correctional officer by an inmate at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam has renewed concerns about worker safety at overcrowded jails around the province.

Dean Purdy, the B.C.G.E.U’s chair of corrections and sheriff’s services, said the attack happened Wednesday evening in a unit at the pretrial centre housing about 60 inmates.

The correctional officer, who has more than eight years experience, was taken to hospital and is recovering.

Purdy said the officer suffered cuts and bruises to the head and upper body and has a concussion from the attack.

“He was sucker-punched by an inmate,” said Purdy. “He was then punched further and stomped on and kicked several times in the chest and head area by the inmate.”

According to statistics kept by the B.C.G.E.U, this is the 29th assault on a correctional officer at the North Fraser facility in the past two years .

Purdy said the officer should not have been alone with 60 inmates.

“We are calling on the government to step in and look at the staffing levels,” said Purdy. “One officer working alone with 60 inmates is unacceptable

“We don’t want to see a death before a change is made.”

According to Purdy, the unit where the trouble happened is under lockdown.

“Conditions inside the jail right now are very tense,” he said.

The North Fraser Pretrial Centre is running at more than double the capacity, said Purdy.

“That jail was built for 300 inmates, and the count now is in excess of 650 inmates,” he said.

After the assault, Purdy said staff at the pretrial centre asked to be given pepper spray before they would continue their duties.

“Staff after this incident refused to go back to work until they were given pepper spray,” he said.

A staff member at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre said they were not commenting on the incident.

http://www.theprovince.com/Attack+gu...519/story.html