The numerous violent events that occurred in prisons in greater Montreal last week represent only the tip of the iceberg, while tension has been rising exponentially inside the walls since the pandemic.
“It’s going to end up exploding,” worries defense lawyer Vicky Powell, who assures that the violent events making the headlines reveal only a tiny part of the attacks that occur within prison walls.
“I have already told judges that I have the impression that we are waiting for a tragedy to happen before we can do something and unfortunately that is what happened,” she added, referring to the assault on a correctional officer at the Sorel-Tracy detention facility and the murder of an inmate at the Rivière-des-Prairies detention facility last week (see box).
According to Mathieu Lavoie, president of the Union of Peace Officers in Correctional Services of Quebec, the violence that rages inside the walls has a direct impact on that outside, since one encourages the other.
“It’s a vicious circle,” he insists, adding that violence and attempts at intimidation against correctional officers have increased “exponentially in recent years.”
Criminal groups are “very violent, whether inside or outside the walls,” also notes Stéphane Wall, retired SPVM supervisor, specializing in the judicious use of force.
Costly exhaustion
Like Mr. Powell, Mr. Lavoie considers the lack of staff to be the main problem inside prisons.
“Senior leaders are asking to do more in terms of services, but with less security,” he denounces.
In addition to working with reduced staff numbers – year after year, there is a 20% shortage of staff according to the president of the union – correctional officers work overtime, whether compulsory or voluntary, which can lead to their exhaustion.
“Nearly 30% of absences are due to psychological causes” since cases of violence and intimidation against agents are increasing exponentially, reports Mr. Lavoie, adding that this costs between $30 and $40 million per year. to replace these agents.
This lack of staff would also have “a negative impact on the detainees” who would be “more on edge” according to Me Powell. She observes an increase in the number of authorized files concerning attacks between prisoners in the last three years.
According to our information, the tragedy that occurred in Sorel-Tracy occurred precisely due to a lack of staff.
Prison deliveries
A code white, signaling a delivery by drone, had also been triggered before the attack, again according to our information.
These are practically daily in detention establishments. This is how detainees receive weapons and drugs, but also cell phones, which allows organized crime leaders to direct their operations from the inside.
Photo provided by the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers
“The people on the inside communicate with the criminals on the outside and give them orders and commands,” Mr. Wall summarizes.
Actors have been asking for around ten years for authorization from the federal government to allow detention facilities to use wave jammers, which would not only prevent deliveries by drones, but also the use of cell phones.
Our prisons out of control
√ December 2024: A prison officer at the Sorel-Tracy provincial detention center is brutally attacked by a psychiatric inmate who had already beaten up an octogenarian.
√ December 2024: Andrew Luberisse, a member of the Profit Boyz gang, is found dead in his cell in Rivière-des-Prairies. He could have been the victim of an internal purge.
√ November 2024: A drug seller was the victim of a real torture session at the Quebec Detention Center, in Orsainville. During the scene, filmed, he is forced to read a letter apologizing for betraying the Arab Power gang.
√ September 2024: An inmate awaiting trial for extortion is beaten to death in his cell, possibly due to debts accumulated within the walls of Rivière-des-Prairies prison
√ August 2024: A member of the Arab Power gang is attacked by fellow inmates armed with a blade, at the Quebec Detention Center. A similar altercation had occurred less than 24 hours earlier at the Donnacona Detention Facility.
√ July 2024: A prisoner associated with the Blood Family Mafia gang is disfigured and tortured at the Quebec Detention Center.
√ May 2024: An inmate dies following a savage attack at the Port-Cartier penitentiary.
√ February 2024: Armed with a homemade weapon, an alleged murderer attacks two correctional officers at the Port-Cartier penitentiary.
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