Colleague injured by inmate | Correctional officers refuse to open cells in solidarity

Correctional officers across the province are refusing to open inmates’ cells in solidarity with their colleague, still in critical condition after being attacked by a prisoner over the weekend. Some activities in detention centers and courthouses were paralyzed Tuesday morning.

The correctional officer attacked by an inmate at the Sorel-Tracy prison is still in a coma and could even lose his sight, according to our information.

The police were notified of the attack that occurred at the Sorel-Tracy prison on Sunday in the middle of the afternoon.

According to our information, the agent received several blows to the head, causing a possible skull fracture. The victim was alone with the prisoner at the time of the incident. The inmate suspected of attacking the employee is a man in his 30s.

The circumstances of this violent attack created shock waves among correctional officers across the province. Understaffing, mandatory overtime and increasingly difficult prison conditions undermine employees’ sense of security.

Some correctional officers demonstrated in front of the Sorel-Tracy detention facility Tuesday morning. Other peace officers in prisons across the province are refusing to open inmate cells for an indefinite period, according to our information.

This mobilization in support of their colleague paralyzes part of the activities in prison, but also in several courthouses. Due to a lack of staff to accompany them to court, several detainees did not appear and certain cases are suspended until further notice.

The Ministry of Public Safety (MSP) did not immediately respond to our request for an interview.