People incarcerated at the Quebec Detention Establishment, in Orsainville, have been confined since 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, due to the possible presence of a weapon in one of the sectors of the prison.
The correctional emergency intervention team is reportedly looking for a possible firearm found in the section reserved for inmates linked to the Blood Family Mafia (BFM) gang, TVA Nouvelles has learned.
“We confirm that an operation is underway at the Quebec Detention Facility. However, for safety reasons for both incarcerated people and correctional services officers and all staff, we will not make any further comments at this time,” the Ministry of Public Safety said by email.
Threats
According to sources inside the prison, authorities suspect that the weapon was delivered by drone.
The current search could last several more hours, according to some correctional officers.
This sector of the prison, where members of the BFM are kept, is the scene of frequent settling of scores as well as threats against correctional service agents.
The operation also led to the cancellation of the ceremony which was to take place tomorrow to introduce new agents in the presence of senior officers.
Situation difficile
The situation remains tense inside the walls of Quebec. About ten days ago, inmates managed to break through a concrete wall between two sectors of the prison. The Quebec correctional officers’ union points to the lack of staff and the exhaustion of employees, but also the increase in violence linked to organized crime.
“It has been talked about for a long time that the situation is deteriorating. We have vacancies and difficulty retaining our people. The environment is increasingly violent and so are the clientele,” argued the president of the Union of Peace Officers in Correctional Services of Quebec, Mathieu Lavoie.
According to him, the government will have to consider the critical context in which workers have been operating for several months.
“We are talking about torture of incarcerated people, more bladed weapons, more trafficking and intimidation of staff. It’s an explosive mixture,” adds Mr. Lavoie, who rejects an overly permissive mentality on the part of the Ministry of Public Security.
“We need to tighten the screws and increase discipline. We do not currently have the means to achieve our ambitions. We hear nice declarations but that is not what we feel in the establishments. »
