Three correctional officers attacked at the Quebec Detention Center

Three correctional officers were allegedly attacked at the Quebec Detention Center by inmates. The events allegedly occurred a few days before Christmas, on December 18, 23 and 24.

According to the Union of Peace Officers in Correctional Services of Quebec, an incarcerated person attempted to strangle an officer in taking him by the neck.

Another staff member reportedly suffered a concussion and a third was bitten until they bled. The latter will have to have medical follow-ups because the incarcerated person was suffering from HIVindicates Mathieu Lavoie, national president of the Union of Peace Officers in Correctional Services of Quebec.

We clearly see violence against staff increasing. Intimidation, threats, and then, physical violence. […] This is what we notice at the Quebec detention facility and throughout the provincial correctional network.

Police operations carried out in 2024 have led to a prison population much heavier inside detention facilitiesaccording to Mr. Lavoie.

Lots of street gangs, lots of organized crime. The conflicts that were outside continue inside. […] It is clear that the BFM-Hells conflict has repercussions. In the sector of BFM we saw detainees being beaten, practically unrecognizable, we saw more cell phones, weapons, drones and narcotics seized.

Mathieu Lavoie reports that employees are also exhaustedthe use of compulsory overtime has triple in 2024 compared to 2023, at the Quebec Detention Center.

We have establishments that operate at more than 125% of their capacity and at the same time more than 20% of staff is absent or vacanthe maintains. Some sections of detention centers must be closed due to lack of staff.

Under negotiation

The Union has been in negotiations for two years for the renewal of its members’ collective agreement.

The Ministry of Public Security must change its mentality and give control to agents to allow us to ensure the safety of personnel and ensure the security of establishments.says the president of the Union.

In writing, the office of the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, indicates that it cannot tolerate acts of violence against our prison officersin detention centers across the province.

This has to stop. We are also working to review the sanctions for various offenses committed in prison. The agents have my full support and that of the ministry in ensuring law and order reigns in the prison.adds François Bonnardel’s office.

A worrying shortage of staff

Two lawyers from Quebec are concerned about the lack of staff and the measures to compensate for the lack of staff.

Incarcerated people seem to be locked up or stuck in their cell for periods of time that seem longer and even seem abusive at certain times.observed the criminal lawyer Me Didier Samson.

Me Samson sees a direct link between the increase in violence in the prison environment and the measures taken to deal with the lack of staff.

Lawyers Me Didier Samson and Me Adèle Juster signed a joint letter in December. They demand the opening of a commission of inquiry into the conditions of detention.

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The alarm bells sounded by this lawyer are mainly motivated by respect for the law, he says. Every person in Canada has the right to security, the right to life, the right to dignity. If we cannot offer what we are supposed to offer to help people rehabilitate themselves or to be able to progress in prison mode, we have an obstacle to people’s rights.argues the criminal lawyer.

Not all Hannibal Lecters are in prison. There are people who are presumed innocent.

Incarcerated people must follow the prison lifestyle, assures the lawyer. That is to say, we get up at such and such a time, the cell will open from such and such an hour. [..] there will be activities, training workshopshe gives as an example.

At the moment, what we are seeing is that we are far from the prison lifestyledeplores Me Samson.

With information from Philippe L’Heureux